WERN

We rate WERNER ENTERPRISES INC (WERN) as a Reduce with a composite score of 45.3/100 at a current price of $32.98. The quantitative profile shows weakness across multiple dimensions, suggesting limited upside potential and elevated risk of underperformance relative to peers over the next 12 months.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in momentum (55th percentile) and stability (45th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in quality (32th percentile) and value (32th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a No Moat rating (32/100), Medium uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation.

Key items to watch: quarterly earnings execution and sector-level competitive dynamics. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

WERNER ENTERPRISES INC holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 45.3/100 places it at rank #2755 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $1.6B in market capitalization, WERNER ENTERPRISES INC is a small-cap player in the Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 1%, though momentum at the 55th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 57% (+1.5pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 2% (-15.4pp vs sector) and net margins of 0.6%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 1%. The significant margin erosion from gross to net suggests elevated operating expenses, high interest costs, or other structural drags that warrant monitoring.

At a current price of $32.98, WERNER ENTERPRISES INC is trading at a premium to fundamental value. Our value factor score of 32/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. The premium valuation implies the market is pricing in significant future growth or quality improvements that are not yet fully reflected in current fundamentals.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 112.5x (a 565% premium to the sector median of 16.9x), EV/EBITDA of 20.8x (at a premium), P/B of 1.5x, P/S of 0.7x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis finds only partially justified by current fundamentals.

We assign a Medium uncertainty rating to WERNER ENTERPRISES INC. The stock presents a balanced risk profile: weak quality scores (32th percentile) and elevated valuation multiple (P/E 112.5x) that leaves limited margin for error. While not risk-free, the core business fundamentals are adequate to withstand moderate economic stress, and the range of potential outcomes around our fair value estimate is manageable.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: weak quality scores (32th percentile); elevated valuation multiple (P/E 112.5x) that leaves limited margin for error; the combination of leverage (52% D/E) and thin margins (0.6% net) amplifies downside risk. Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 45th percentile and quality factor at the 32th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 57% provide a buffer against cost pressures; a 2.14% dividend yield anchors total return. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate WERNER ENTERPRISES INC's capital allocation as Standard. Management has shown adequate — though not exceptional — stewardship of shareholder capital. Returns on equity stand at 1.4%, and the balance sheet is managed within acceptable parameters (D/E: 52%). Exemplary allocators typically sustain ROE above 20% and D/E below 50%; WERNER ENTERPRISES INC falls short on at least one dimension.

There is room for improvement in optimizing the capital structure or enhancing shareholder returns. The 2.14% dividend yield provides some income return, but the overall capital allocation framework would benefit from either higher reinvestment returns, improved balance sheet efficiency, or increased shareholder distributions. We will monitor for signs of strategic improvement that could warrant an upgrade.

In summary, WERNER ENTERPRISES INC receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 45.3/100 (rank #2755 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a No Moat (32/100, trend: stable), Medium uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 42/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on WERNER ENTERPRISES INC at this time. The combination of limited competitive advantages, medium uncertainty, and standard capital allocation suggests unfavorable risk-reward at current levels. We recommend investors avoid new positions and existing holders consider reducing exposure.