Company Announcement - Freight Technologies Inc (Fr8Tech) has signed a new logistics services contract with a leading global toy industry brand [1] - The contract will ensure secure and timely transport of the client's products throughout the Mexican market [2] - The Fr8App platform has been providing over-the-road (OTR) logistics services across key shipment lanes in Mexico, particularly during peak seasonal demand periods [2] CEO Statement - Javier Selgas, CEO of Fr8Tech, stated that the contract serves as a validation of the Fr8App platform's ability to innovate and sustain logistics support in the global marketplace [3] - The company is proud to collaborate with the market leader and looks forward to continuing the relationship [3] Company Overview - Freight Technologies Inc (Fr8Tech) is a technology company offering a diverse portfolio of proprietary platform solutions powered by AI and machine learning to optimize and automate the supply chain process [3] - The company's portfolio includes the Fr8App platform for seamless OTR B2B cross-border shipping across the USMCA region, Fr8Now for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, Fr8Fleet for dedicated capacity service in Mexico, and Waavely for efficient ocean freight booking and management [3] - The company's solutions are interconnected within a unified platform to connect carriers and shippers, improving matching and operation efficiency through innovative technologies such as live pricing, real-time tracking, digital freight marketplace, brokerage support, transportation management, fleet management, and committed capacity solutions [3] - The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas [3]

Industry Challenges - Weak freight demand due to supply chain disruptions caused by hurricanes, leading to reduced shipping capacity and lower freight rates [1] - Driver shortage persists as older drivers retire and younger generations show less interest in trucking jobs [4] Company Performance - Werner Enterprises (WERN) faces a decline in Truckload Transportation Services (TTS) segment growth, with 2024 guidance revised to a decline of 8-6% from the previous 6-3% [2] - High operating expenses, with labor costs at $258.3 million (34.6% of total operating expenses) and fuel costs at $64.8 million in Q3 2024 [3] - WERN's stock has dropped 15.5% over the past year, underperforming the industry's 5.6% decline [4] Earnings and Market Sentiment - Zacks Consensus Estimate for WERN's Q4 and full-year 2024 earnings has been revised downward, reflecting declining broker confidence [7] - WERN's Zacks Rank is 4 (Sell) with a Value Score of D, indicating unattractiveness [9] Alternative Investment Options - C H Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with earnings surpassing estimates in three of the last four quarters and an expected 2024 earnings growth rate of 33.3% [11] - Wabtec Corporation (WAB) also holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with earnings exceeding estimates in three of the last four quarters and an expected 2024 earnings growth rate of 28.55% [12]

Industry Overview - The trucking industry faces a major challenge due to a driver shortage, as older drivers retire and younger generations show less interest in the profession [2] - The Cass Freight Shipment Index declined 0.7% year over year in November, reflecting weak freight demand and a declining trend since January 2024 [1] Company Performance (Landstar System, Inc. - LSTR) - LSTR is experiencing multiple headwinds, including reduced demand for freight services and increased truck capacity, making it an unimpressive investment option [4] - The company's top line is suffering due to low shipment volumes and rates, primarily driven by the below-par performance of its truck transportation segment [5] - LSTR's shares have plunged 10.1% year-to-date, significantly underperforming the industry's loss of 0.4% [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LSTR's Q4 2024 earnings has been revised downward by 18.1%, and full-year 2024 earnings by 5.1% over the past 90 days [3] - LSTR's earnings are expected to decline 16.1% year over year in Q4 2024 and 24.3% for the full year 2024 [8] - The company currently carries a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) and has a Value Score of D, indicating its unattractiveness [11] Alternative Investment Opportunities - C H Robinson Worldwide Inc (CHRW) and Wabtec Corporation (WAB) are better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Transportation sector, each carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [9] - CHRW has an impressive earnings surprise history, with earnings outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 10.29% [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHRW's 2024 earnings has been revised upward by 6.4% over the past 90 days, with an expected earnings growth rate of 33.3% for 2024 [13] - CHRW's shares have gained 21.6% year-to-date [13] - WAB has an impressive earnings surprise history, with earnings outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 9.46% [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WAB's 2024 earnings has been revised upward by 2.5% over the past 90 days, with an expected earnings growth rate of 28.55% for 2024 [14] - WAB's shares have gained 49.4% year-to-date [14]

Company Overview - Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL) has faced stock headwinds over the past year [2] Analyst Background - The contributing analyst is part of the iREIT+Hoya Capital investment group and focuses on dividend investing in quality blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs [4] - The analyst is a buy-and-hold investor aiming to supplement retirement income through dividends in the next 5-7 years [4] - The analyst's goal is to help lower and middle-class workers build investment portfolios of high-quality, dividend-paying companies [4] Disclosure - The analyst has no stock, option, or derivative positions in any mentioned companies and no plans to initiate such positions within the next 72 hours [3] - The article expresses the analyst's own opinions and is not receiving compensation beyond that from Seeking Alpha [3] - The analyst has no business relationship with any company mentioned in the article [3]

Annual Meeting Adjournment - The 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders was adjourned from December 12, 2024, to December 13, 2024, to allow additional time for stockholders to vote on proposals [1] - At the time of adjournment, proxies representing 44.67% of the company's common stock had been submitted, which was insufficient to constitute a quorum [2] - During the adjournment period, the company and its proxy agent, Broadridge Financial Solutions, will continue to receive votes from stockholders [3] - Proxies already received remain valid for the adjourned meeting, and shareholders are encouraged to vote online if they have not yet done so [4] Company Overview - Freight Technologies Inc (Fr8Tech) is a logistics management innovation company offering technology-driven solutions to address challenges in the supply chain ecosystem [5] - The company's portfolio includes the Fr8App platform for cross-border shipping, Fr8Now for less-than-truckload shipping, Fr8Fleet for dedicated capacity in Mexico, and Waavely for ocean freight booking and management [5] - These interconnected solutions aim to improve matching and operational efficiency through live pricing, real-time tracking, digital freight marketplace, brokerage support, transportation management, fleet management, and committed capacity solutions [5] - The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas [5]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry provides air delivery and freight services, with companies offering specialized transportation, logistics, and supply-chain solutions such as freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and fulfillment [3] - The industry's performance is closely tied to the health of the economy, with leading players like FedEx transporting millions of packages daily across the globe [3] - Some companies operate both ground and air fleets, while others focus on air transportation services for passengers and cargo or cater to entities outsourcing air cargo lifting requirements [3] Key Challenges - The industry faces persistent supply-chain disruptions, a challenging macroeconomic environment with inflation-induced high interest rates, weaker-than-expected demand, and declining package volumes [1] - Economic uncertainty prevails despite signs of cooling inflation, with increased inflation readings in October and September leading to market volatility and dampening prospects for industry stocks [4] - Sluggish economic growth and inflationary pressures are likely to hurt consumer spending, negatively impacting industry participants [4] - A significant demand slowdown, particularly in Asia and Europe, is hurting shipping volumes and the results of key players like UPS, which trimmed its full-year 2024 revenue forecast to $91.1 billion from $93 billion [5][6] Positive Trends and Opportunities - Despite challenges, the industry still has growth potential, especially for operators targeting growth opportunities and operating efficiency initiatives [2] - Companies like UPS, GXO Logistics, and Air Transport Services Group are leveraging cost-cutting efforts and growth trends to their advantage [2] - With economic activities recovering from pandemic lows, more companies are allocating increasing cash piles through dividends and buybacks, reflecting financial strength and confidence [7] - UPS raised its quarterly cash dividend to $1.63 per share in 2024, with expected dividend payments of $5.4 billion for the year [7] Industry Performance and Valuation - The Zacks Air Freight and Cargo industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank 174, placing it in the bottom 30% of 250 Zacks industries [8] - The industry has underperformed the S&P 500 and the broader Transportation sector, declining 0.9% over the past year compared to the S&P 500's 31.5% rally and the sector's 11.9% appreciation [11] - Based on the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, the industry is trading at 10.85X, lower than the S&P 500's 18.65X and the sector's 12.02X [13] - Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA ratio has ranged from 6.64X to 13.58X, with a median of 9.97X [14] Key Companies to Watch - **United Parcel Service (UPS):** The company has robust free cash flow generation, leading to increased shareholder-friendly activities like dividends and buybacks [17] - UPS's earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 1.5% [18] - **GXO Logistics:** The company is strengthening its logistics capabilities, benefiting from increased e-commerce, automation, and outsourcing [20] - GXO's earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average miss of 0.2%, and its shares have risen 8.2% over the past year [20] - **Air Transport Services Group (ATSG):** The company is modernizing and expanding its fleet, expecting to end 2024 with 149 aircraft (129 freighters and 20 passenger planes) compared to 129 at 2023-end [23] - ATSG's earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average miss of 6.9% [24]

Company Overview - Freight Technologies Inc (Fr8Tech) is a technology company specializing in AI and machine learning-driven solutions to optimize and automate supply chain processes [4] - The company offers a diverse portfolio of proprietary platform solutions, including Fr8App for cross-border shipping, Fr8Now for LTL shipping, Fr8Fleet for enterprise capacity in Mexico, and Waavely for ocean freight management [4] - Fr8Tech's solutions are interconnected within a unified platform, featuring live pricing, real-time tracking, digital freight marketplace, brokerage support, transportation management, and committed capacity solutions [4] Waavely Platform Performance - Waavely, the digital ocean freight platform launched in July 2024, has secured four active customers within a short period, demonstrating strong early demand and adoption [1] - The platform's success highlights the shipping industry's need for greater control, agility, and transparency in ocean freight logistics [3] - Waavely is designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and provide real-time visibility for maritime logistics [3] Growth Strategy - Fr8Tech's marketing strategy focuses on increasing volume with existing clients and acquiring new customers for the Waavely platform [2] - The company is actively evolving and expanding Waavely's service capabilities based on feedback from existing customers and prospects [2] - Fr8Tech plans to scale the platform by bringing in additional ocean carriers, logistics providers, and shippers to meet growing industry demands [2] Industry Impact - The rapid adoption of Waavely underscores the shipping industry's demand for innovative solutions that address challenges in ocean freight logistics [3] - Fr8Tech's portfolio of solutions, including Waavely, aims to significantly improve matching and operational efficiency through advanced technologies [4]

BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Freightos Limited (NASDAQ: CRGO) a leading, vendor-neutral booking and payment platform for the international freight industry, is proud to announce that Qantas Freight, the cargo division of Australia's national carrier Qantas, has joined its air cargo booking platform. This will enable freight forwarders to search, compare and book capacity across Freightos' WebCargo and 7LFreight by WebCargo platforms for all Qantas and Jetstar services between the US, Austr ...

Core Viewpoint - The freight forwarding industry in South Africa is crucial for international trade, coordinating over 80% of it, and is expected to grow in the coming years despite facing challenges such as a logistics crisis and increased competition from international shipping lines [4][8]. Industry Overview - The report provides insights into the freight forwarding industry, including trade volumes, key trends, notable players, and corporate actions [2]. - The industry is significantly influenced by local issues, international trade disruptions, and technological advancements [4][5]. Market Trends - Companies are focusing on reducing their carbon footprint and adopting new technologies to lower costs, save time, and enhance crisis response capabilities [5]. - The logistics crisis in South Africa is impacting trade levels and the performance of freight forwarders [7]. Market Opportunities - Specialization in specific industry products and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement are expected to create growth opportunities for freight forwarders [6]. Market Challenges - The diversification of international shipping lines into other logistics segments poses a challenge, as shippers may opt to arrange transportation directly, bypassing freight forwarders [7]. - The logistics crisis in South Africa continues to affect trade levels and the performance of freight forwarders [7]. Market Outlook - Global merchandise trade volumes are anticipated to increase due to recovering demand and economic growth, while the local freight forwarding industry is expected to grow alongside merchandise trade [8]. - Freight forwarders are facing pressure on margins due to higher carrier rates and rising competition, with multinational companies expanding operations in Africa as the continent's trade is projected to grow faster than the global average [8]. Key Players - The report profiles 22 notable companies in the South African freight forwarding industry, including Africa Global Logistics South Africa, DHL Global Forwarding SA, and Kuehne and Nagel [3][9]. Key Topics Covered - The report covers various aspects of the industry, including its value chain, geographic position, size, state, trends, issues, notable players, corporate actions, and influencing factors such as economic environment and technology [10][11].

Core Insights - Titanium Transportation Group Inc. is expanding its North American operations by opening a new freight brokerage office in Virginia Beach, VA, marking its 8th location in the United States [1][2]. Company Overview - Titanium is a leading provider of transportation and logistics services in North America, operating with approximately 900 power units, 3,000 trailers, and 1,300 employees and independent owner-operators [3]. - The company offers truckload, dedicated, and cross-border trucking services, logistics, and warehousing to over 1,000 customers [3]. - Titanium has established both asset-based and brokerage operations across 18 locations in Canada and the US [3]. Strategic Growth - The expansion into Virginia is part of Titanium's asset-light growth strategy, aimed at enhancing its presence in strategic markets [2]. - Virginia's central east coast location allows the company to efficiently serve major US economic hubs, with nearly half of US consumers reachable within a one-day drive [3]. Recognition and Achievements - Titanium has completed 13 acquisitions of asset-based trucking companies since 2011 and has been recognized as one of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies for eleven consecutive years [3]. - The company was ranked among the top 500 companies in the Financial Times Americas' Fastest Growing Companies in 2020 and has received accolades from the Globe and Mail's Report on Business for four consecutive years [3].