Relative Intelligence · Freight & Logistics
How Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ODFL alone. It places ODFL (Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where ODFL stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: ODFL's full trading record, from October 1991 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
On this page12 sections
Key findings
- Right nowODFL has gone against the market, falling 15.5% over the past 6 months while the S&P 500 rose 9.1%. The slide is ODFL's own: it is 24.2% below its high, against 1.3% for the S&P 500. At a glance ↓
- Stock or market?Not a move of its own: the freight & logistics ETF IYT (iShares U.S. Transportation ETF) fell 9.3% over the past 3 months, with XPO (XPO Logistics, down 11.3%) and JBHT (J.B. Hunt Transport Services, down 22.0%), while the S&P 500 rose 3.9%. Last month cut against the tape: ODFL rose 7.4% while the S&P 500 fell 0.6%.
- Past 1 to 3 yearsOver the past year, ODFL rose 34.7% against 15.8% for the S&P 500 and 17.9% for the Nasdaq 100. That said, the long record (ahead of 92% of the stocks worth at least $300 million over 10 years) has not carried into the past 3 years (behind 78% of them). By year ↓
- Long termODFL turned $10,000 into $84,700 over the past decade, against $42,100 in the S&P 500. On the flip side, over 5 years ODFL trailed the index: 23.4% against 81.7%. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashAcross seven sell-offs, ODFL has typically fallen 1.3 times as far as the S&P 500. Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationAgainst the S&P 500, ODFL has a correlation of 0.57 over 5 years, more closely than 85% of stocks worth at least $300 million. Next to an index fund it is some diversification, but not a hedge. Market capture ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- UNP (Union Pacific), EXPD (Expeditors International of Washington) and FDX (FedEx) earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years. UNP returned 7.1% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 4.3% a year at 36.9%.
- Nearby categories and themes
- PCAR (PACCAR, commercial vehicles) and DTM (DT Midstream, oil & gas midstream) earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years. PCAR returned 17.9% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 4.3% a year at 36.9%.
- Whole market
- 1,262 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them AAPL (Apple), GOOG (Alphabet) and MSFT (Microsoft).
How much would $10,000 in ODFL have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ODFL over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ODFL over the same span and ODFL's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
- $10,000 invested in ODFL at the end of September 1997 would have grown to $2,149,322 by September 2026, more than the $132,907 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Five of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of ODFL, and MNST finished highest, at $45,663,831.
Choose a period
From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 12 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ODFL; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- MNST$46M+456,538% total · +33.7% a year
- AAPL$21M+205,249% total · +30.1% a year
- AMZN$11M+114,749% total · +27.5% a year
- APH$3M+29,926% total · +21.7% a year
- LRCX$2M+24,786% total · +21.0% a year
- ODFL$2M+21,393% total · +20.3% a year
- EXPD$460,426+4,504% total · +14.1% a year
- ARCB$156,187+1,462% total · +9.9% a year
- FDX$138,138+1,281% total · +9.5% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,044 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ODFL; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- XPO$37,221+272% total · +30.1% a year
- CVLG$24,521+145% total · +19.6% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- FDX$17,773+77.7% total · +12.2% a year
- CSX$16,737+67.4% total · +10.8% a year
- EXPD$16,419+64.2% total · +10.4% a year
- ARCB$15,970+59.7% total · +9.8% a year
- UNP$15,540+55.4% total · +9.2% a year
- SNDR$15,016+50.2% total · +8.5% a year
- ODFL$12,474+24.7% total · +4.5% a year
ODFL at a glance
This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.
- ODFL is still 24.2% below its all-time high.
- ODFL's deepest decline since it began trading in 1991 was 66.3%, from May 1994 to December 1995. It took about seven years from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 29 full calendar years, ODFL's best was 2002, when it returned 125%, and its worst was 1998, when it lost 25.4%. It lost money in ten of those years.
The company
- Market value
- $39B
- Industry
- Trucking
- Price history from
- October 1991
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +34.7%total return
- Past 3 years
- −2.5%−0.8% a year
- Past 5 years
- +23.4%+4.3% a year
- Past 10 years
- +747%+23.8% a year
- Best calendar year
- +125%2002
- Worst calendar year
- −25.4%1998
- Losing years
- 10 of 29full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 36.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.30return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −66.3%May 1994 to Dec 1995
- From its all-time high
- −24.2%below the peak
ODFL against the whole market
Where ODFL ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does ODFL rank among all stocks?
This section ranks ODFL on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how ODFL stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- ODFL's 10-year return ranks in the top 8% of the 2,202 stocks worth at least $300 million with 10 years of history.
- ODFL's 3-year return ranks in the bottom 22% of the 3,017 stocks worth at least $300 million with 3 years of history.
Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | ODFL | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +34.7% | 863 of 3,287 | top 26% |
| 3-year return | −2.5% | 2,363 of 3,017 | bottom 23% |
| 5-year return | +23.4% | 1,411 of 2,893 | top 49% |
| 10-year return | +747% | 174 of 2,202 | top 8% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 36.9% | 1,271 of 2,893 | top 44% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.30 | 1,549 of 2,893 | bottom 47% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −45.2% | 296 of 2,187 | top 14% |
What has beaten ODFL on both return and risk?
Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). ODFL sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ODFL with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 620 stocks and 642 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than ODFL over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 35% of the 3,633 screened.
- Among those with at least half ODFL's swings, CAH has the best return for its risk: 42.1% a year at 24.7% volatility, 33% less than ODFL's 36.9%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.55 against 0.30 for ODFL. MPC earned the most, 51.2% a year, while still swinging less than ODFL (33.4% against 36.9%).
- Among ODFL's popular alternatives, EXPD, FDX and CSX are in the region. EXPD earned 12.0% a year against 4.3% a year for ODFL, at 27.1% volatility, 27% less than ODFL's 36.9%.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to ODFL; faint dots are 95 more of the 1,262 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than ODFL?
Investments that beat ODFL over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among ODFL's popular alternatives, UNP, EXPD and FDX earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years. UNP returned 7.1% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 4.3% a year at 36.9%.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, PCAR (commercial vehicles) and DTM (oil & gas midstream) earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years. PCAR returned 17.9% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 4.3% a year at 36.9%.
- Across the whole market, 1,262 of the 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years, among them AAPL, GOOG and MSFT.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat ODFL over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks ODFL's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than ODFL follows the table.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than ODFL's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× ODFL's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than ODFL's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with ODFL?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| ODFLOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. · this page | +4.3% | 36.9% | 0.30 | −45.2% | +747% | 1.00 | — | ||
 SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500 | +12.7% | 17.1% | 0.79 | −33.7% | +321% | 0.57 | 0.09% | ||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ODFL. 9 of 20 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 UNPUnion Pacific Corporation · Railroads | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +7.1% | 22.9% | 0.42 | −38.7% | +295% | 0.59 | — | |
EXPDExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. · Freight & Logistics | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +12.0% | 27.1% | 0.56 | −35.6% | +349% | 0.35 | — | |
 FDXFedEx Corporation · Freight & Logistics | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +12.0% | 32.8% | 0.52 | −66.0% | +156% | 0.55 | — | |
 CSXCSX Corporation · Railroads | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +8.3% | 23.3% | 0.46 | −40.5% | +446% | 0.63 | — | |
SNDRSchneider National, Inc. · Freight & Logistics | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +6.2% | 31.5% | 0.35 | −44.0% | — | 0.73 | — | |
CHRWC.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. · Freight & Logistics | Higher return, lower volatility | +9.9% | 34.4% | 0.45 | −40.6% | +157% | 0.18 | — | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Freight & Logistics and the categories next to it (Railroads, Oil & Gas, E-Commerce, Commercial Vehicles), plus ODFL's specific themes. 87 of 107 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 PCARPACCAR Inc · Commercial Vehicles | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.9% | 26.1% | 0.76 | −37.9% | +314% | 0.60 | — | |
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +24.5% | 25.2% | 1.00 | −23.6% | — | 0.38 | — | |
EXEExpand Energy Corporation · Oil & Gas | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.4% | 34.4% | 0.54 | −30.4% | — | 0.04 | — | |
 MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil & Gas | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +51.2% | 33.4% | 1.41 | −79.7% | +1,387% | 0.18 | — | |
 PBR-APetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas | On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +51.8% | 37.5% | 1.31 | −71.7% | +768% | 0.10 | — | |
 CPCanadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. · Railroads | Similar return, lower volatility | +4.0% | 24.1% | 0.28 | −33.7% | +227% | 0.62 | — | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 1,734 of 3,507 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.01 | — | |
 PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.07 | — | |
 RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.36 | — | |
 AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.30 | — | |
 VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +11.5% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | +302% | 0.60 | 0.03% | |
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · CLO Bonds | On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +5.1% | 1.7% | 2.98 | −2.6% | — | 0.26 | 0.20% | |
CSWCSW Industrials, Inc. · Industrial Products | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +17.1% | 34.4% | 0.63 | −46.2% | +867% | 0.60 | — | |
 CDNSCadence Design Systems, Inc. · Software | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +14.8% | 37.2% | 0.56 | −34.2% | +1,139% | 0.36 | — | |
What these numbers mean for ODFL
- Annual return
- ODFL returned 4.3% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $12,300. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- ODFL's volatility over the past 5 years was 36.9%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ODFL's return lands within 36.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
- Sharpe ratio
- ODFL's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.30, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ODFL earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
- Worst decline
- ODFL's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 45.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 45.2% fall takes a 82.4% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, ODFL's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.57 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ODFL instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ODFL holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 1,262 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ODFL with less volatility
Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with ODFL | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +40.7% | 32.8% | 1.21 | −34.5% | +1,807% | -0.01 | — |
| 2 | PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +21.3% | 25.6% | 0.89 | −30.3% | +816% | 0.07 | — |
| 3 | RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | Whole market | +17.3% | 18.2% | 0.97 | −40.0% | +352% | 0.36 | — |
| 4 | AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware | Whole market | +18.5% | 28.0% | 0.75 | −38.5% | +1,168% | 0.30 | — |
| 5 |  MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software | Whole market | +12.5% | 28.2% | 0.56 | −37.1% | +946% | 0.21 | — |
| 6 | VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF · US Total Market | Whole market | +11.5% | 17.5% | 0.71 | −35.0% | +302% | 0.60 | 0.03% |
| 7 |  VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +12.8% | 16.9% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +324% | 0.57 | 0.03% |
| 8 |  WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail | Whole market | +20.8% | 22.6% | 0.96 | −25.7% | +508% | 0.32 | — |
| 9 |  BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +13.4% | 17.1% | 0.82 | −29.6% | +274% | 0.35 | — |
| 10 |  JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +12.7% | 17.9% | 0.76 | −27.4% | +196% | 0.17 | — |
| 11 |  VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing | Whole market | +12.8% | 22.9% | 0.64 | −36.4% | +429% | 0.34 | — |
| 12 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +428% | 0.35 | 0.48% |
| 13 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +17.0% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.44 | 0.40% |
| 14 |  KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +14.7% | 16.8% | 0.91 | −37.0% | +204% | 0.21 | — |
| 15 | BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · Crypto | Whole market | +6.3% | 3.3% | 1.85 | −4.9% | — | 0.44 | 0.69% |
| 16 |  COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail | Whole market | +17.4% | 22.9% | 0.82 | −31.4% | +685% | 0.50 | — |
| 17 |  VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +8.2% | 16.4% | 0.57 | −36.0% | +140% | 0.53 | 0.05% |
| 18 |  QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth | Whole market | +14.5% | 23.0% | 0.71 | −35.1% | +553% | 0.47 | 0.18% |
| 19 |  MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution | Whole market | +38.7% | 25.0% | 1.44 | −38.1% | +586% | 0.18 | — |
| 20 |  NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +17.1% | 20.7% | 0.87 | −26.8% | +226% | 0.31 | — |
| 21 | FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Financials | Whole market | +6.0% | 2.3% | 2.55 | −21.0% | +58.0% | 0.34 | 0.60% |
| 22 |  APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components | Whole market | +33.8% | 32.2% | 1.07 | −37.5% | +965% | 0.32 | — |
| 23 |  VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +12.1% | 13.7% | 0.90 | −36.8% | +235% | 0.61 | 0.03% |
| 24 |  AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology | Whole market | +19.6% | 24.9% | 0.85 | −24.9% | +266% | 0.09 | — |
| 25 |  GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology | Whole market | +22.8% | 24.9% | 0.95 | −30.5% | +200% | 0.13 | — |
| 26 |  VEAVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF · Developed International Equity | Whole market | +9.3% | 16.9% | 0.61 | −35.8% | +153% | 0.55 | 0.03% |
| 27 |  GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold | Whole market | +17.7% | 18.9% | 0.96 | −26.4% | +213% | 0.16 | 0.40% |
| 28 |  LINLinde plc · Chemicals | Whole market | +11.5% | 20.9% | 0.63 | −32.6% | +394% | 0.55 | — |
| 29 |  VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.0% | 0.78 | −35.1% | +779% | 0.43 | 0.09% |
| 30 |  ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. · Semiconductors | Whole market | +19.5% | 34.1% | 0.69 | −33.6% | +652% | 0.42 | — |
| 31 |  TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated · Semiconductors | Whole market | +9.9% | 33.7% | 0.45 | −33.4% | +424% | 0.41 | — |
| 32 |  VOVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF · US Mid-Cap Equity | Whole market | +6.8% | 17.6% | 0.47 | −39.4% | +198% | 0.70 | 0.03% |
| 33 |  DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +14.4% | 29.9% | 0.60 | −37.9% | +755% | 0.38 | — |
| 34 |  VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +10.4% | 14.1% | 0.78 | −31.7% | +258% | 0.62 | 0.04% |
| 35 |  CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution | Whole market | +24.2% | 22.8% | 1.07 | −32.4% | +406% | 0.22 | — |
| 36 |  SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +9.7% | 14.3% | 0.72 | −33.4% | +252% | 0.62 | 0.06% |
| 37 |  TAT&T Inc. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +9.8% | 25.2% | 0.50 | −39.4% | +60.7% | 0.04 | — |
| 38 |  RIORio Tinto Group · Metals & Mining | Whole market | +12.2% | 29.0% | 0.54 | −37.5% | +464% | 0.26 | — |
| 39 |  MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages | Whole market | +17.2% | 24.9% | 0.77 | −30.4% | +285% | 0.37 | — |
| 40 |  LMTLockheed Martin Corporation · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +11.1% | 24.2% | 0.56 | −36.7% | +204% | 0.18 | — |
| 41 |  VTVanguard Total World Stock ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +10.3% | 16.2% | 0.69 | −34.2% | +223% | 0.59 | 0.06% |
| 42 |  SOThe Southern Company · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.3% | 18.8% | 0.67 | −38.4% | +170% | 0.09 | — |
| 43 |  IEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · Emerging Markets Equity | Whole market | +6.8% | 19.4% | 0.44 | −38.7% | +122% | 0.40 | 0.09% |
| 44 |  CMECME Group Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +11.2% | 20.8% | 0.62 | −37.4% | +319% | 0.26 | — |
| 45 |  RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +13.9% | 18.5% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +446% | 0.29 | — |
| 46 | PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · Broad Market | Whole market | +10.5% | 8.6% | 1.20 | −18.2% | — | 0.56 | 0.79% |
| 47 |  RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +8.2% | 16.1% | 0.57 | −39.0% | +211% | 0.68 | 0.20% |
| 48 |  MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment | Whole market | +14.8% | 23.6% | 0.71 | −32.8% | +625% | 0.44 | — |
| 49 |  WMWaste Management, Inc. · Environmental Services | Whole market | +9.3% | 19.2% | 0.56 | −30.1% | +344% | 0.34 | — |
| 50 |  GSKGSK plc · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +9.5% | 24.5% | 0.49 | −37.6% | +95.1% | 0.23 | — |
| 51 | ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +39.8% | 34.6% | 1.15 | −35.4% | +765% | 0.25 | — |
| 52 |  NGGNational Grid plc · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +11.8% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −39.2% | +118% | 0.46 | — |
| 53 | FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · Multi-Asset | Whole market | +11.1% | 10.5% | 1.05 | −13.6% | — | 0.47 | 0.85% |
| 54 |  DUKDuke Energy Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.5% | 18.0% | 0.50 | −37.4% | +132% | 0.23 | — |
| 55 |  AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.4% | 20.2% | 0.68 | −32.9% | +185% | 0.27 | — |
| 56 |  FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution | Whole market | +15.8% | 24.6% | 0.72 | −30.7% | +576% | 0.50 | — |
| 57 |  SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth | Whole market | +13.1% | 22.4% | 0.67 | −34.5% | +451% | 0.48 | 0.04% |
| 58 |  RACEFerrari N.V. · Automobiles | Whole market | +13.3% | 30.0% | 0.57 | −39.2% | +711% | 0.40 | — |
| 59 |  DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +14.7% | 17.5% | 0.87 | −34.7% | — | 0.56 | 0.26% |
| 60 |  CLColgate-Palmolive Company · Household & Personal Products | Whole market | +7.2% | 19.2% | 0.46 | −29.0% | +68.8% | 0.23 | — |
| 61 |  ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · Industrial Machinery | Whole market | +6.7% | 21.4% | 0.41 | −37.9% | +208% | 0.63 | — |
| 62 |  JEPIJPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF · Equity Income | Whole market | +7.5% | 11.0% | 0.71 | −13.7% | — | 0.59 | 0.35% |
| 63 | IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs | Whole market | +24.6% | 30.3% | 0.88 | −39.0% | +470% | 0.53 | — |
| 64 |  EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.0% | 18.8% | 0.70 | −30.9% | +114% | 0.19 | — |
| 65 |  XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity | Whole market | +8.4% | 15.3% | 0.60 | −28.4% | +202% | 0.37 | 0.08% |
| 66 |  NDAQNasdaq, Inc. · Capital Markets | Whole market | +8.9% | 24.7% | 0.47 | −38.3% | +407% | 0.38 | — |
| 67 | ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +14.9% | 18.4% | 0.85 | −32.9% | +194% | 0.40 | — |
| 68 |  FNVFranco-Nevada Corporation · Gold Mining | Whole market | +12.5% | 31.3% | 0.53 | −37.1% | +303% | 0.21 | — |
| 69 | FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 16.3% | 0.87 | −40.2% | +194% | 0.51 | 0.25% |
| 70 | CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications | Whole market | +7.7% | 13.3% | 0.63 | −23.8% | +101% | 0.06 | — |
| 71 | SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Whole market | +18.7% | 20.8% | 0.93 | −30.9% | +499% | 0.40 | 0.13% |
| 72 | DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.46 | 0.27% |
| 73 |  XELXcel Energy Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +6.5% | 20.9% | 0.41 | −34.4% | +156% | 0.09 | — |
| 74 | AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +14.0% | 16.9% | 0.86 | −19.5% | — | 0.67 | 0.15% |
| 75 |  EXCExelon Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.1% | 20.9% | 0.43 | −40.0% | +159% | 0.22 | — |
| 76 | HYGHiShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF · Bonds | Whole market | +6.6% | 7.1% | 0.94 | −23.9% | +74.5% | 0.46 | 1.12% |
| 77 | HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 13.0% | 1.00 | −37.0% | +172% | 0.46 | 0.08% |
| 78 | NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +15.1% | 20.3% | 0.80 | −30.9% | +158% | 0.26 | — |
| 79 | WECWEC Energy Group, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.2% | 19.0% | 0.46 | −32.3% | +159% | 0.21 | — |
| 80 | DFATDimensional - US Targeted Value ETF · US Small-Cap Equity | Whole market | +9.6% | 21.0% | 0.54 | −26.1% | — | 0.70 | 0.33% |
| 81 | DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics | Whole market | +12.3% | 22.5% | 0.63 | −36.6% | +243% | 0.23 | — |
| 82 | FTSFortis Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +8.4% | 16.4% | 0.58 | −34.3% | +154% | 0.23 | — |
| 83 | USMViShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity | Whole market | +7.6% | 12.3% | 0.66 | −33.1% | +176% | 0.56 | 0.15% |
| 84 | SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity | Whole market | +12.0% | 16.7% | 0.76 | −31.6% | +300% | 0.59 | 0.20% |
| 85 | PKGPackaging Corporation of America · Packaging | Whole market | +15.4% | 25.8% | 0.69 | −38.2% | +294% | 0.46 | — |
| 86 | AEEAmeren Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +7.9% | 19.4% | 0.49 | −29.1% | +192% | 0.29 | — |
| 87 | COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +11.4% | 17.7% | 0.70 | −38.7% | — | 0.61 | 0.49% |
| 88 | EWJiShares MSCI Japan ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +9.2% | 18.8% | 0.57 | −33.1% | +132% | 0.52 | 0.49% |
| 89 | WTWWillis Towers Watson Public Limited Company · Insurance | Whole market | +6.9% | 23.9% | 0.40 | −32.9% | +187% | 0.23 | — |
| 90 | XLUState Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF · Utilities Equity | Whole market | +7.8% | 17.4% | 0.52 | −36.0% | +138% | 0.30 | 0.08% |
| 91 | SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +7.6% | 14.0% | 0.59 | −36.7% | +157% | 0.61 | 0.35% |
| 92 | VRSNVeriSign, Inc. · Internet Services | Whole market | +7.8% | 25.9% | 0.42 | −38.9% | +308% | 0.23 | — |
| 93 | BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF · Buffered Equity | Whole market | +9.9% | 10.5% | 0.96 | −13.7% | — | 0.54 | 0.10% |
| 94 | CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity | Whole market | +14.1% | 26.1% | 0.64 | −33.9% | +454% | 0.28 | 0.58% |
| 95 | EVRGEvergy, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +9.5% | 18.9% | 0.57 | −38.8% | +109% | 0.24 | — |
| 96 | DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.1% | 13.8% | 0.96 | −32.5% | +206% | 0.53 | 0.35% |
| 97 | BKLNInvesco Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans | Whole market | +5.4% | 4.5% | 1.19 | −24.1% | +50.7% | 0.35 | 0.67% |
| 98 | MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores | Whole market | +26.1% | 31.2% | 0.90 | −35.5% | +706% | 0.19 | — |
| 99 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.7% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +361% | 0.44 | 0.40% |
| 100 | EHCEncompass Health Corporation · Health Care Facilities | Whole market | +18.4% | 26.8% | 0.77 | −39.5% | +340% | 0.22 | — |
ODFL against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against ODFL, compared period by period and year by year.
How do ODFL's risk and return compare with its alternatives?
This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at ODFL, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Six of the 20 popular alternatives, led by EXPD, FDX and CHRW, were both more rewarding and calmer than ODFL over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, ODFL returned 4.3% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.7%, with higher volatility (36.9% against 17.1%).
Green points earned more than ODFL with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| XPO XPO Logistics, Inc. | +30.5% | 47.0% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.7% | 17.1% |
| CVLG Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. | +12.3% | 42.3% |
| EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | +12.0% | 27.1% |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | +12.0% | 32.8% |
| CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | +9.9% | 34.4% |
| ARCB ArcBest Corp | +9.3% | 49.5% |
| CSX CSX Corporation | +8.3% | 23.3% |
| UNP Union Pacific Corporation | +7.1% | 22.9% |
| SNDR Schneider National, Inc. | +6.2% | 31.5% |
| SAIA Saia, Inc. | +4.6% | 51.8% |
| ODFL This pageOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | +4.3% | 36.9% |
| KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | +4.3% | 33.9% |
| JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | +4.0% | 32.8% |
| LSTR Landstar System, Inc. | +2.1% | 28.2% |
| TFII TFI International Inc. | +1.0% | 37.7% |
| MRTN Marten Transport, Ltd. | −4.1% | 30.4% |
| ULH Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. | −4.4% | 60.2% |
| HUBG Hub Group, Inc. | −6.3% | 35.9% |
| WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc. | −6.9% | 31.7% |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | −8.6% | 28.9% |
| HTLD Heartland Express, Inc. | −8.6% | 31.9% |
Has ODFL consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares ODFL with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than ODFL helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- Seven of the 22 popular alternatives, led by XPO, ARCB and EXPD, outperformed ODFL in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- EXPD, CSX and CHRW earned more for the risk they took than ODFL (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than ODFL over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (this page) | — | +7.4% | −18.6% | −15.5% | +18.8% | +34.7% | −2.5% | +23.4% | +747% | 36.9% | 0.30 | −45.2% | — | $39B | — |
| XPO QualifiedXPO Logistics, Inc. | 3/5 short3/3 long | +7.1% | −11.3% | −18.2% | +34.6% | +39.6% | +159% | +278% | +1,467% | 47.0% | 0.80 | −64.5% | — | $22B | — |
| ARCB QualifiedArcBest Corp | 4/5 short2/3 long | +0.2% | −17.8% | +9.3% | +69.0% | +73.5% | +39.6% | +56.1% | +633% | 49.5% | 0.43 | −67.8% | — | $2.9B | — |
| EXPD QualifiedExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. | 4/5 short2/3 long | +3.3% | +11.9% | +33.6% | +31.3% | +66.5% | +78.4% | +76.6% | +349% | 27.1% | 0.56 | −35.6% | — | $26B | — |
| FDX QualifiedFedEx Corporation | 4/5 short2/3 long | +1.0% | −2.1% | −5.4% | +27.6% | +56.7% | +63.1% | +76.6% | +156% | 32.8% | 0.52 | −66.0% | — | $71B | — |
| CSX QualifiedCSX Corporation | 3/5 short2/3 long | +4.5% | −3.8% | +10.6% | +33.7% | +32.8% | +63.0% | +49.3% | +446% | 23.3% | 0.46 | −40.5% | — | $89B | — |
| UNP QualifiedUnion Pacific Corporation | 3/5 short2/3 long | +6.7% | −2.5% | +15.2% | +25.9% | +29.2% | +45.4% | +41.2% | +295% | 22.9% | 0.42 | −38.7% | — | $171B | — |
| CVLG QualifiedCovenant Logistics Group, Inc. | 3/5 short2/3 long | −13.4% | −39.4% | −5.3% | +32.4% | +36.6% | +41.1% | +78.3% | +285% | 42.3% | 0.49 | −80.4% | — | $744M | — |
| SNDR TruckingSchneider National, Inc. | 2/5 short2/3 long | −4.5% | −17.4% | +3.4% | +15.5% | +32.6% | +20.9% | +35.1% | — | 31.5% | 0.35 | −44.0% | — | $5.4B | — |
| SAIA TruckingSaia, Inc. | 0/5 short2/3 long | −4.1% | −22.0% | −25.2% | −1.0% | +7.5% | −12.9% | +25.2% | +1,050% | 51.8% | 0.35 | −60.9% | — | $8.9B | — |
| CHRW Integrated Freight & LogisticsC.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | 0/5 short2/3 long | −8.0% | −31.4% | −23.0% | −13.2% | +12.0% | +76.2% | +60.0% | +157% | 34.4% | 0.45 | −40.6% | — | $16B | — |
| RXO TruckingRXO, Inc. | 5/5 short1/3 long | +45.4% | −0.7% | +46.6% | +123% | +58.0% | +52.3% | — | — | — | — | −67.2% | — | $4.7B | — |
| KNX TruckingKnight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 3/5 short1/3 long | −5.1% | −16.1% | −3.0% | +22.2% | +34.6% | +28.2% | +23.3% | +156% | 33.9% | 0.29 | −51.6% | — | $10B | — |
| JBHT Integrated Freight & LogisticsJ.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | 2/5 short1/3 long | −4.1% | −22.0% | −9.7% | +15.7% | +37.9% | +32.2% | +21.6% | +220% | 32.8% | 0.28 | −42.4% | — | $21B | — |
| LSTR Integrated Freight & LogisticsLandstar System, Inc. | 1/5 short1/3 long | −0.2% | −19.3% | −3.8% | +18.2% | +30.5% | +5.2% | +11.2% | +190% | 28.2% | 0.22 | −38.8% | — | $5.8B | — |
| TFII TruckingTFI International Inc. | 0/5 short1/3 long | −10.9% | −26.1% | −17.4% | +5.8% | +17.6% | −1.6% | +5.2% | +537% | 37.7% | 0.22 | −53.8% | — | $9.2B | — |
| UPS Integrated Freight & LogisticsUnited Parcel Service, Inc. | 2/5 short0/3 long | +4.0% | −11.5% | −5.0% | +2.2% | +20.8% | −23.0% | −36.1% | +35.4% | 28.9% | -0.17 | −57.9% | — | $74B | — |
| WERN TruckingWerner Enterprises, Inc. | 1/5 short0/3 long | −14.6% | −35.4% | −10.4% | −1.1% | +7.2% | −17.2% | −29.9% | +66.8% | 31.7% | -0.07 | −51.1% | — | $1.8B | — |
| ULH TruckingUniversal Logistics Holdings, Inc. | 1/5 short0/3 long | −5.8% | +12.6% | −32.2% | +6.5% | −16.7% | −28.8% | −20.2% | +58.7% | 60.2% | 0.22 | −76.1% | — | $425M | — |
| HTLD TruckingHeartland Express, Inc. | 1/5 short0/3 long | −11.6% | −31.8% | −12.5% | +12.9% | +24.3% | −29.0% | −36.2% | −38.6% | 31.9% | -0.12 | −69.7% | — | $794M | — |
| PAMT TruckingPamt Corp. | 1/5 short0/3 long | −7.3% | −21.7% | +14.5% | −11.1% | −5.1% | — | — | — | — | — | −65.5% | — | $224M | — |
| MRTN TruckingMarten Transport, Ltd. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.3% | −27.8% | −15.1% | +10.8% | +17.6% | −29.3% | −19.0% | +94.7% | 30.4% | 0.01 | −57.9% | — | $1.0B | — |
| HUBG Integrated Freight & LogisticsHub Group, Inc. | 0/5 short0/3 long | −17.7% | −48.0% | −39.7% | −38.4% | −28.8% | −29.8% | −27.6% | +38.4% | 35.9% | 0.00 | −50.6% | — | $1.6B | — |
How did ODFL do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where ODFL ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ODFL and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
- None of the 20 popular alternatives came out ahead of ODFL in most of the years they have in common.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, ODFL finished in the top quarter in 13 of 29 years and in the bottom quarter in no. In 2025, it ranked 11 of 23.
- ODFL finished ahead of the S&P 500 in 18 of its 29 full calendar years, and behind it in each of the last two.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of ODFL; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places ODFL among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of ODFL | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODFL This pageOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | — | −10.5% | −12.5% | +43.5% | −20.5% | +84.2% | +54.8% | +54.3% | −5.8% | +53.9% | +45.3% | −23.9% | +46.5% | +54.6% | +26.9% | +26.6% | +56.2% | +7.9% | +23.5% | −4.4% | −10.5% | +16.1% | +53.7% | +78.3% | +125% | +33.5% | −11.6% | −5.5% | −25.4% | +43.5% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 13 of 29 | 11 of 23 | 16 of 22 | 5 of 22 | 16 of 21 | 4 of 21 | 5 of 21 | 2 of 21 | 7 of 21 | 4 of 20 | 5 of 20 | 9 of 20 | 5 of 20 | 6 of 20 | 6 of 20 | 1 of 20 | 5 of 20 | 13 of 20 | 3 of 20 | 12 of 20 | 15 of 20 | 8 of 18 | 4 of 18 | 4 of 17 | 1 of 16 | 10 of 16 | 12 of 16 | 9 of 15 | 11 of 15 | 5 of 14 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 11 of 29 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% | +15.1% | +26.4% | −36.8% | +5.1% | +15.9% | +4.8% | +10.7% | +28.2% | −21.6% | −11.7% | −9.8% | +20.4% | +28.7% | +33.5% |
| XPO XPO Logistics, Inc. | 11 of 22 | +3.6% | +49.7% | +163% | −27.7% | +11.6% | +49.5% | +39.7% | −37.7% | +112% | +58.4% | −33.4% | +55.5% | +51.2% | +40.8% | +20.6% | +100% | +11.3% | −6.5% | −3.4% | +441% | −54.6% | +8.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ARCB ArcBest Corp | 10 of 29 | −20.0% | −22.1% | +72.4% | −41.3% | +182% | +56.5% | −18.6% | −3.4% | +30.9% | +31.5% | −53.5% | +38.3% | +256% | −50.0% | −29.4% | −6.3% | +0.1% | +39.8% | −38.0% | −16.4% | −1.2% | +44.9% | +22.5% | −9.8% | +57.4% | +52.5% | +123% | −40.1% | +123% |
| EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | 12 of 29 | +36.2% | −11.9% | +23.8% | −21.7% | +42.5% | +23.5% | +16.2% | +6.5% | +22.9% | +19.3% | +2.6% | +2.2% | +13.5% | −2.0% | −24.1% | +58.5% | +5.7% | −24.9% | +11.0% | +20.6% | +21.4% | +49.0% | +15.9% | +15.1% | +6.5% | +22.9% | +109% | +9.5% | +67.7% |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | 11 of 29 | +5.1% | +13.5% | +49.1% | −31.6% | +0.7% | +74.3% | −4.8% | −34.7% | +35.2% | +26.1% | −13.7% | +21.4% | +57.6% | +10.5% | −9.7% | +12.1% | +31.1% | −27.7% | −17.6% | +5.4% | +5.3% | +46.4% | +24.9% | +4.8% | +61.0% | −2.4% | −8.2% | +46.0% | +37.2% |
| CSX CSX Corporation | 10 of 29 | +14.2% | −5.6% | +13.5% | −16.6% | +25.7% | +27.1% | +18.0% | +14.5% | +55.5% | +42.1% | −26.7% | +28.4% | +49.3% | −3.9% | −0.2% | +35.7% | +53.2% | −24.9% | +29.6% | +37.0% | +27.9% | +12.4% | +30.5% | −18.6% | +38.2% | −12.8% | −22.5% | −21.1% | +30.6% |
| UNP Union Pacific Corporation | 10 of 29 | +3.9% | −5.1% | +21.6% | −15.9% | +23.3% | +17.6% | +33.7% | +5.3% | +32.3% | +36.0% | −32.9% | +44.5% | +36.3% | +21.2% | +16.7% | +47.6% | +36.6% | −22.7% | +38.3% | +15.8% | +21.8% | −1.3% | +17.9% | +6.5% | +14.0% | +18.7% | −1.5% | −26.8% | +7.0% |
| CVLG Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. | 9 of 29 | −18.2% | +19.4% | +34.6% | +32.1% | +78.5% | +14.4% | −32.6% | −33.1% | +48.5% | +2.5% | −30.4% | +230% | +48.5% | +85.9% | −69.3% | +130% | +111% | −70.2% | −41.2% | −18.4% | −32.8% | +9.5% | +0.3% | +18.8% | +48.3% | −38.1% | −2.8% | +17.2% | +6.1% |
| SNDR Schneider National, Inc. | 3 of 8 | −8.0% | +16.8% | +10.2% | −11.8% | +31.5% | +4.9% | +18.2% | −34.0% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SAIA Saia, Inc. | 11 of 23 | −28.3% | +4.0% | +109% | −37.8% | +86.4% | +94.2% | +66.8% | −21.1% | +60.3% | +98.4% | −59.8% | +72.7% | +108% | +85.2% | −24.8% | +11.9% | +36.5% | −18.4% | −42.7% | +9.2% | −9.0% | +32.9% | +77.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | 12 of 28 | +59.0% | +22.9% | −3.1% | −13.1% | +17.2% | +23.0% | −4.7% | −3.6% | +24.6% | +21.0% | −15.1% | +31.3% | −5.4% | −7.4% | −11.5% | +39.4% | +8.8% | +3.5% | +34.3% | +11.8% | +34.9% | +48.0% | +22.6% | +8.7% | −7.2% | +59.2% | +54.7% | +17.1% | — |
| RXO RXO, Inc. | 1 of 3 | −47.0% | +2.5% | +35.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 10 of 29 | +0.1% | −6.9% | +11.1% | −13.2% | +46.8% | +17.6% | +44.0% | −42.3% | +33.4% | +38.0% | −27.3% | +85.4% | +27.2% | −5.1% | −16.4% | −0.3% | +21.1% | +9.7% | −12.5% | −17.3% | +25.9% | +45.1% | +22.1% | +11.8% | +120% | +12.1% | −35.7% | +44.4% | +45.8% |
| JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | 12 of 29 | +15.2% | −13.8% | +15.6% | −13.9% | +50.6% | +18.1% | +26.8% | −18.4% | +19.6% | +33.8% | −12.0% | +10.1% | +30.2% | +34.2% | +11.8% | +28.2% | +24.8% | −3.4% | +34.4% | −6.9% | +2.1% | +66.5% | +84.3% | +26.4% | +38.0% | +21.6% | −38.9% | +23.8% | +35.7% |
| LSTR Landstar System, Inc. | 9 of 29 | −14.4% | −9.7% | +21.2% | −7.3% | +35.6% | +21.2% | +19.8% | −6.3% | +22.6% | +46.1% | −17.5% | +26.7% | +10.2% | +11.1% | +17.6% | +6.1% | +1.3% | −8.5% | +10.7% | −8.3% | +13.5% | +93.6% | +30.4% | +61.1% | +30.7% | +29.4% | +5.3% | +53.9% | +13.7% |
| TFII TFI International Inc. | 8 of 20 | −21.9% | +0.5% | +37.2% | −9.5% | +120% | +56.2% | +33.5% | +6.7% | −2.3% | +55.8% | −30.8% | +10.7% | +21.1% | +59.6% | +5.2% | +65.0% | +150% | −61.4% | −19.5% | −21.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | 4 of 26 | −15.9% | −15.9% | −6.0% | −16.2% | +30.0% | +48.6% | +24.2% | −15.5% | +7.1% | +22.7% | −10.9% | +8.7% | +46.5% | +3.9% | +3.8% | +30.3% | +7.8% | −19.8% | −3.5% | +1.8% | −10.5% | +16.4% | +19.9% | +17.3% | −6.0% | −13.8% | — | — | — |
| WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc. | 6 of 29 | −14.9% | −14.2% | +6.6% | −14.4% | +22.7% | +9.0% | +39.6% | −22.8% | +44.6% | +16.4% | −24.3% | +27.1% | +15.2% | −3.0% | +10.0% | +24.3% | +23.3% | +15.5% | −1.6% | −10.5% | −12.3% | +16.9% | +13.8% | +18.6% | +43.7% | +21.7% | −19.9% | +8.5% | +13.7% |
| ULH Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. | 5 of 20 | −66.3% | +65.6% | −14.9% | +80.1% | −6.7% | +9.8% | +7.5% | −22.7% | +47.9% | +18.8% | −50.1% | −5.5% | +68.0% | +7.0% | +23.1% | −12.0% | +39.3% | −26.1% | −19.4% | +3.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| HTLD Heartland Express, Inc. | 5 of 29 | −18.9% | −20.8% | −6.5% | −8.3% | −3.8% | −13.7% | +15.5% | −21.3% | +15.0% | +20.2% | −36.8% | +38.2% | +50.9% | −0.8% | −10.3% | +12.6% | −2.6% | +11.6% | +6.3% | −0.9% | −9.3% | +39.9% | +5.7% | +30.1% | +51.9% | +45.1% | −10.1% | −34.9% | +10.4% |
| PAMT Pamt Corp. | 0 of 1 | −26.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MRTN Marten Transport, Ltd. | 12 of 29 | −25.7% | −24.6% | +7.3% | +16.8% | +3.8% | +24.8% | +38.1% | −19.8% | +45.8% | +32.4% | −18.5% | +8.6% | +65.7% | +6.5% | −15.3% | +18.8% | −5.2% | +36.1% | −25.2% | +2.1% | +20.3% | +46.9% | +83.5% | +7.5% | +47.8% | −7.5% | −2.9% | −10.3% | +61.5% |
| HUBG Hub Group, Inc. | 10 of 29 | −3.1% | −2.0% | +15.7% | −5.7% | +47.8% | +11.1% | +38.4% | −22.6% | +9.5% | +32.7% | −13.4% | −4.5% | +18.7% | +3.6% | −7.8% | +31.2% | +0.9% | −0.1% | −3.6% | +55.9% | +35.3% | +143% | +349% | −54.4% | +16.5% | −54.8% | +3.0% | −34.8% | +11.2% |
Risk and diversification
How ODFL has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.
What were ODFL's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ODFL's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1991, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
- In all five of ODFL's worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- Not every decline was the market's doing: ODFL fell 66.3% from May 1994 to December 1995, while the S&P 500 rose 44.2%.
- The slowest recovery came after ODFL fell 66.3% from May 1994 to December 1995; it did not regain that peak until October 2002, seven years later.
Green means ODFL fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | ODFL fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No named crash | −66.3% | +44.2% | May 1994 | Dec 1995 | 19 months | Oct 2002 | 6.8 years |
| 2008 financial crisis | −50.8% | −38.3% | Jul 2006 | Nov 2008 | 2.3 years | Jul 2010 | 20 months |
| No named crash | −45.2% | +10.3% | Nov 2024 | Nov 2025 | 12 months | Jun 2026 | 7 months |
| 2015 China and oil sell-off | −37.6% | −8.0% | Nov 2014 | Jan 2016 | 14 months | Nov 2016 | 10 months |
| 2022 bear market | −36.1% | −21.0% | Dec 2021 | Jun 2022 | 6 months | Feb 2023 | 8 months |
How did ODFL do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far ODFL, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
- ODFL fell further than the S&P 500 in seven of the ten crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when ODFL fell 31.0% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.
- Among its popular alternatives, CHRW held up best, falling less than ODFL in all ten crashes they both traded through.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than ODFL.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODFL This pageOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | — | −6.0% | −34.5% | −28.6% | −28.4% | −10.3% | −31.0% | −26.2% | −3.6% | −50.7% | −33.3% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 7 of 10 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| XPO XPO Logistics, Inc. | 1 of 9 | −9.2% | −46.0% | −59.0% | −61.2% | −9.4% | −52.2% | −58.3% | −3.4% | −52.8% | — |
| ARCB ArcBest Corp | 0 of 10 | −8.0% | −42.0% | −33.2% | −33.6% | −10.9% | −47.3% | −41.6% | −3.8% | −63.6% | −40.2% |
| EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | 8 of 10 | −3.1% | −32.9% | −27.9% | −17.9% | −5.1% | −17.7% | −22.3% | −1.0% | −54.4% | −33.7% |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | 4 of 10 | −5.3% | −45.3% | −44.9% | −38.1% | −8.0% | −27.0% | −29.7% | −3.3% | −67.8% | −30.0% |
| CSX CSX Corporation | 6 of 10 | −4.0% | −29.4% | −40.5% | −21.4% | −8.7% | −26.5% | −27.4% | −0.9% | −69.2% | −37.5% |
| UNP Union Pacific Corporation | 8 of 10 | −4.2% | −29.8% | −37.5% | −21.9% | −4.8% | −28.7% | −23.4% | −1.5% | −59.5% | −25.6% |
| CVLG Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. | 2 of 10 | −6.8% | −30.9% | −41.0% | −39.0% | −11.6% | −43.3% | −45.2% | 0.0% | −83.1% | −51.2% |
| SNDR Schneider National, Inc. | 3 of 5 | −6.0% | −24.8% | −24.0% | −29.9% | −8.4% | — | — | — | — | — |
| SAIA Saia, Inc. | 2 of 9 | −6.6% | −46.3% | −36.9% | −32.7% | −9.2% | −54.5% | −43.1% | −1.7% | −64.5% | — |
| CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | 10 of 10 | −2.0% | −20.9% | −19.1% | −18.8% | −3.5% | −16.9% | −22.5% | −2.2% | −42.3% | −29.3% |
| RXO RXO, Inc. | 1 of 1 | −5.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 7 of 10 | −8.7% | −28.3% | −27.9% | −31.8% | −2.8% | −25.1% | −21.6% | −2.0% | −40.8% | −36.7% |
| JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | 7 of 10 | −5.5% | −28.8% | −31.5% | −26.6% | −3.0% | −18.8% | −24.8% | −2.4% | −53.1% | −50.9% |
| LSTR Landstar System, Inc. | 8 of 10 | −3.0% | −22.1% | −22.4% | −25.4% | −7.2% | −21.7% | −21.9% | −0.5% | −53.2% | −44.3% |
| TFII TFI International Inc. | 2 of 9 | −5.7% | −34.4% | −52.5% | −32.9% | −4.1% | −30.9% | −39.4% | −2.5% | −81.3% | — |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | 10 of 10 | −1.5% | −29.8% | −18.5% | −23.7% | −8.7% | −16.4% | −16.4% | −1.6% | −47.9% | −26.5% |
| WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc. | 8 of 10 | −6.2% | −23.6% | −23.6% | −18.5% | −9.1% | −25.6% | −18.9% | −2.1% | −46.1% | −45.1% |
| ULH Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. | 2 of 9 | −11.2% | −23.7% | −39.2% | −51.6% | −4.2% | −43.4% | −29.1% | −6.3% | −59.9% | — |
| HTLD Heartland Express, Inc. | 10 of 10 | −3.6% | −24.0% | −21.4% | −16.6% | −7.4% | −26.6% | −17.7% | −0.8% | −34.6% | −32.5% |
| MRTN Marten Transport, Ltd. | 9 of 10 | −6.8% | −20.9% | −27.0% | −26.0% | −7.7% | −20.1% | −23.8% | −2.7% | −32.7% | −26.3% |
| HUBG Hub Group, Inc. | 2 of 10 | −6.3% | −28.8% | −33.1% | −28.9% | −8.6% | −32.1% | −31.1% | −4.8% | −62.1% | −74.9% |
How closely does ODFL move with the S&P 500?
Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares ODFL with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- None of the 19 popular alternatives with the same record had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than ODFL's 1.19.
- Over the past 10 years, ODFL captured 127% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 107% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.10. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than ODFL's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODFL This pageOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | 127% | 107% | 1.19 | 1.10 |
| SAIA Saia, Inc. | 169% | 162% | 1.04 | 1.73 |
| XPO XPO Logistics, Inc. | 190% | 185% | 1.03 | 2.03 |
| CSX CSX Corporation | 118% | 117% | 1.00 | 1.19 |
| ARCB ArcBest Corp | 155% | 166% | 0.94 | 1.68 |
| TFII TFI International Inc. | 150% | 159% | 0.94 | 1.58 |
| EXPD Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. | 118% | 135% | 0.87 | 0.95 |
| UNP Union Pacific Corporation | 104% | 119% | 0.87 | 1.05 |
| LSTR Landstar System, Inc. | 92% | 108% | 0.86 | 0.95 |
| CHRW C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | 87% | 106% | 0.83 | 0.84 |
| JBHT J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. | 109% | 137% | 0.79 | 1.18 |
| CVLG Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. | 133% | 171% | 0.78 | 1.51 |
| KNX Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. | 111% | 156% | 0.72 | 1.25 |
| FDX FedEx Corporation | 116% | 166% | 0.70 | 1.29 |
| MRTN Marten Transport, Ltd. | 81% | 117% | 0.70 | 0.97 |
| WERN Werner Enterprises, Inc. | 99% | 151% | 0.66 | 1.06 |
| ULH Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. | 106% | 176% | 0.60 | 1.13 |
| HUBG Hub Group, Inc. | 100% | 167% | 0.60 | 1.13 |
| UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | 85% | 149% | 0.57 | 1.08 |
| HTLD Heartland Express, Inc. | 66% | 155% | 0.42 | 0.96 |
What diversifies ODFL?
Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with ODFL's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing ODFL with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in ODFL into GLD would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 18% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+4.5% for ODFL alone, +8.2% for the mix).
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and EMLP have moved largely independently of ODFL over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.49 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
- CAH made money in six of the ten calendar years in which ODFL lost money.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which ODFL lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% ODFL and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2025 | 2024 | 2022 | 2018 | 2015 | 2007 | 2006 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | +23.4% | 0.30 | −10.5% | −12.5% | −20.5% | −5.8% | −23.9% | −4.4% | −10.5% | −11.6% | −5.5% | −25.4% | 33.0% | +4.5% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.44 | +119% | 1.48 | +27.1% | +15.9% | +3.8% | −5.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27.3% | +7.6% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.35 | +225% | 1.34 | +32.8% | +29.8% | +6.0% | −19.8% | +7.7% | −7.4% | — | — | — | — | 27.4% | +9.5% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.49 | +101% | 1.04 | +9.7% | +33.4% | +10.4% | −8.7% | −25.3% | — | — | — | — | — | 28.0% | +7.3% |
| HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF | 0.46 | +83.3% | 1.00 | +11.9% | +14.1% | +7.1% | −3.0% | −0.3% | — | — | — | — | — | 27.8% | +6.7% |
| EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF | 0.31 | +140% | 0.97 | +78.0% | +5.7% | −5.2% | −15.3% | −15.6% | +20.9% | +49.2% | −11.8% | −1.5% | +50.5% | 27.9% | +8.5% |
| SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.41 | +323% | 0.97 | +49.2% | +39.1% | −33.5% | −9.1% | −0.3% | +6.0% | −6.7% | — | — | — | 29.9% | +11.6% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.16 | +126% | 0.96 | +63.7% | +26.7% | −0.8% | −1.9% | −10.7% | +30.4% | +22.6% | — | — | — | 27.2% | +8.2% |
| IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF | 0.44 | +107% | 0.94 | +27.0% | +26.6% | −16.3% | −6.3% | −1.8% | +11.1% | +19.9% | — | — | — | 27.9% | +7.6% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2025 | 2024 | 2022 | 2018 | 2015 | 2007 | 2006 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODFL Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (this page) | 1.00 | +23.4% | 0.30 | −10.5% | −12.5% | −20.5% | −5.8% | −23.9% | −4.4% | −10.5% | −11.6% | −5.5% | −25.4% | 33.0% | +4.5% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.16 | +479% | 1.55 | +76.3% | +19.0% | +54.1% | −24.5% | +12.6% | −9.8% | −5.8% | +108% | −36.8% | +51.7% | 27.7% | +11.8% |
| CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc. | 0.22 | +3,143% | 1.47 | +220% | +215% | +1.3% | −16.3% | −6.0% | −25.7% | −26.0% | −2.3% | +350% | — | 31.1% | +23.7% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.18 | +413% | 1.44 | +44.5% | +23.7% | +51.8% | −28.4% | −4.5% | +29.7% | −1.2% | +61.2% | −71.3% | +46.9% | 27.8% | +11.2% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.18 | +690% | 1.41 | +19.2% | −4.0% | +86.6% | −8.2% | +17.4% | — | — | — | — | — | 28.3% | +13.7% |
| ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc. | 0.42 | +1,008% | 1.34 | +109% | +21.1% | +87.5% | −9.8% | −66.7% | −4.2% | +153% | −26.5% | — | — | 31.6% | +16.1% |
Common questions
What was ODFL's worst drawdown?
ODFL's deepest decline since it began trading in 1991 was 66.3%, from May 1994 to December 1995. It took about seven years from the low to climb back to its old high.
What were ODFL's best and worst years?
Over 29 full calendar years, ODFL's best year was 2002, when it returned 125%. Its worst was 1998, with a return of -25.4%.
Is there a better investment than ODFL?
Among ODFL's popular alternatives, UNP, EXPD and FDX earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years. UNP returned 7.1% a year at 22.9% volatility, against 4.3% a year at 36.9%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, PCAR (commercial vehicles) and DTM (oil & gas midstream) earned more than ODFL with less volatility over the past 5 years. PCAR returned 17.9% a year at 26.1% volatility, against 4.3% a year at 36.9%.
Is ODFL more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. ODFL's volatility over the past 5 years was 36.9%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ODFL's return lands within 36.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.
What is ODFL's Sharpe ratio?
ODFL's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.30, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so ODFL earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.
How correlated is ODFL with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, ODFL's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.57 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ODFL instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ODFL holding.
What are the best alternatives to ODFL?
Of the 22 popular alternatives we compared, seven outperformed ODFL in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: XPO, ARCB and EXPD.
Did ODFL outperform the S&P 500?
ODFL finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 18 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -10.5%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did ODFL do in stock market crashes?
ODFL fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the 2015 China and oil sell-off, when ODFL fell 31.0% and the S&P 500 fell 12.8%.
What diversifies ODFL?
These had a low correlation with ODFL over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.44), DXJ (correlation 0.35) and EMLP (correlation 0.49); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.16), CLS (correlation 0.22) and MCK (correlation 0.18). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than ODFL's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of ODFL's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
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