Analyst Ratings January 29, 2026

Truist Lifts C.H. Robinson Price Target to $210, Citing Share Gains and Margin Discipline

Analyst upgrade underscores confidence in productivity improvements and structural cost advantages even as forwarding remains cyclical

By Derek Hwang CHRW
Truist Lifts C.H. Robinson Price Target to $210, Citing Share Gains and Margin Discipline
CHRW

Truist Securities increased its price objective on C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) from $190 to $210 while retaining a Buy rating, pointing to sustained market share gains, margin improvement in North American Surface Transportation, and productivity-driven structural cost reductions. The firm said these factors support a $6 EPS framework even without a market recovery; current diluted EPS is $4.94 and analysts project $5.14 for fiscal 2025.

Key Points

  • Truist Securities raised its price target on C.H. Robinson to $210 from $190 and maintained a Buy rating, highlighting sustained market share gains and margin discipline.
  • Analysts point to productivity gains, pricing discipline, and a structurally lower cost-to-serve as drivers supporting a $6 EPS framework; current diluted EPS is $4.94 and fiscal 2025 consensus is $5.14.
  • The update affects the Air Freight & Logistics and broader transportation sectors, where volume normalization and operational leverage could influence earnings and valuation.

Truist Securities has raised its target price for C.H. Robinson Worldwide to $210 from $190 and kept a Buy rating on the logistics group, citing persistent market share gains and tighter margin management as the basis for the move. The new target implies additional upside from CHRW's most recent trade around $190.90, a share price that has climbed roughly 74.5% over the past year and 86.3% in the prior six months.

The brokerage highlighted that C.H. Robinson has achieved its 11th straight quarter of share gains while widening margins in its North American Surface Transportation - NAST - business despite some late-quarter pressure on spot rates. Truist emphasized productivity improvements, pricing discipline, and what it describes as a structurally lower cost-to-serve as underpinnings for confidence in a $6 per-share earnings framework that assumes no cyclical recovery in freight markets.

Company-reported figures and InvestingPro metrics cited by analysts show C.H. Robinson generates revenue of $16.5 billion and operates with a gross profit margin of 8.4%. The InvestingPro material also contains a note that CHRW "suffers from weak gross profit margins," and indicates the stock is trading above its Fair Value based on that platform's analysis.

Truist's $6 EPS framework should be read relative to the company's most recent diluted earnings per share of $4.94. Street estimates referenced in the update point to consensus earnings near $5.14 for fiscal year 2025, meaning the $6 target assumes considerable upside from current analyst forecasts if the company realizes the productivity and pricing gains the firm expects.

The research note also flagged the cyclical nature of Global Forwarding, noting seasonally softer performance is expected in the first quarter of 2026. Despite this, Truist expressed a constructive view of C.H. Robinson's positioning in the Air Freight & Logistics sector, arguing the company is exiting the current freight downturn from a structurally stronger base and stands to benefit as volumes normalize across transportation and logistics.

Additional company attributes cited by analysts include a 29-year record of consecutive dividend increases and an overall "GOOD" financial health score attributed by InvestingPro. Truist and other analysts believe those balance-sheet and shareholder-return characteristics bolster the investment case while the company weathers top-line challenges.

Recent quarterly results offer a mixed performance picture. C.H. Robinson reported fourth-quarter 2025 diluted EPS of $1.23, beating analyst expectations of $1.13. Revenue for the quarter came in at $3.9 billion, below the consensus estimate of $3.98 billion, representing a revenue shortfall despite the earnings beat.

Market analysts have responded by revising forecasts and price targets higher in several cases. Raymond James lifted its target to $215, citing operational improvements. Evercore ISI moved its target to $219 while pointing to market share gains and productivity enhancements. BofA Securities raised its target to $225 and highlighted a 2% year-over-year increase in EPS. BMO Capital adjusted its target to $180, acknowledging the firm’s productivity gains. Collectively, these updates signal analyst optimism around the company's operational trajectory despite current revenue pressures.

Truist’s note stresses that productivity gains and a lower cost-to-serve profile are critical to the thesis, providing what the firm views as leverage to earnings as freight volumes recover or stabilize. Investors should also consider InvestingPro analysis indicating that, on its models, the stock is trading above Fair Value – a reminder that valuation expectations and the timing of any market recovery remain important variables.

For investors seeking deeper proprietary analysis, the research references a Pro Research Report with more than 20 additional ProTips and further detailed coverage available to subscribers.


Key metrics and figures summarized

  • New Truist price target: $210, prior target: $190
  • Current price cited in note: $190.90
  • Share price performance: +74.5% over 12 months, +86.3% over six months
  • Revenue cited: $16.5 billion; gross profit margin: 8.4%
  • Most recent diluted EPS: $4.94; fiscal 2025 analyst forecast: $5.14; Truist EPS framework: $6
  • Q4 2025 results: EPS $1.23 (vs. $1.13 estimate); revenue $3.9 billion (vs. $3.98 billion estimate)

Risks

  • Global Forwarding remains cyclical with seasonally softer performance expected in Q1 2026, creating revenue volatility in the Air Freight & Logistics sector.
  • Despite the earnings beat in Q4 2025, revenue missed consensus estimates, indicating demand and top-line recovery could lag productivity-driven margin gains.
  • InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is trading above its Fair Value and CHRW's gross profit margins are relatively weak, highlighting valuation and margin risk for investors in the transport sector.

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