Freedom Capital Markets has raised its price target on C.H. Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ:CHRW) to $206.00 from $155.00 while retaining a Hold recommendation on the shares. The move follows the logistics provider's fourth-quarter 2025 financial report, which Freedom Capital labeled "resilient" in the face of difficult market conditions.
The stock was trading at $195.76, close to its 52-week high of $200.32, after delivering a 100.25% return over the past 12 months according to InvestingPro data. C.H. Robinson carries a market capitalization of $23.14 billion and is quoted at a P/E ratio of 40.48 - a level InvestingPro flags as high in relation to anticipated near-term earnings growth.
Performance and segment-level results
Freedom Capital pointed to the company's North American Surface Transportation (NAST) segment as a source of outperformance, saying C.H. Robinson exceeded industry volume indices during what the firm described as "one of the weakest freight cycles in recent decades." Despite an overall decline in revenue, the company expanded margins and increased adjusted operating income for the quarter, a combination Freedom Capital highlighted when revising its target upward.
At the same time, the company has experienced headwinds on the top line, recording an 8.42% revenue decline over the trailing twelve months and reporting gross profit margins of 8.56% for the period.
Valuation and financial health
Freedom Capital left its Hold recommendation in place despite the sizable step-up in its price target. According to InvestingPro Fair Value analysis cited in the reporting, the stock appears overvalued at current levels even as the company's overall financial health receives a "GOOD" score. InvestingPro also notes more than 20 additional insights on CHRW, including its 29-year dividend growth streak, in a Pro Research Report that is available to subscribers.
Earnings beat and analyst reactions
C.H. Robinson reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.23 for the fourth quarter of 2025, a 1.7% increase from the prior year and a result that outpaced several published estimates. Benchmark had forecast $1.16 while the FactSet consensus stood at $1.12. The earnings surprise prompted a wave of analyst updates.
- Benchmark raised its price target to $205 from $160, citing the company's resilient operating performance.
- UBS reiterated a Buy rating and set a $224 price target, calling the earnings beat a "genuine surprise" amid concerns over rising truckload spot rates.
- Stifel lifted its target to $202 from $184 and maintained a Buy rating after the results exceeded expectations.
- Truist Securities increased its price target to $210 from $190, pointing to market share gains and disciplined margin management.
These analyst revisions, alongside Freedom Capital's higher target, underscore a generally positive reception among the broker community to the quarter's results, even as valuation and revenue trends introduce cautionary notes.
Implications
The combination of an earnings beat, margin expansion, and outperformance within its NAST segment has encouraged several brokerages to raise their targets for C.H. Robinson. At the same time, the company's trailing revenue decline and relatively low gross profit margins temper the outlook and inform why at least one firm maintained a Hold stance despite projecting a higher share price.
Investors and market participants following freight, logistics and transportation will likely weigh the mixed signals from improved operating income and margin discipline against the pressure on top-line growth and valuation metrics.