In this article, we will be looking at the 13 best freight stocks to invest in now.

Intense political maneuvers, combined with shifting trade flows, have created a turbulent phase for the global freight market. According to Reuters, the U.S. has recently been pressuring countries to reject the United Nations’ deal on marine fuel emissions cuts. The U.S. President has warned them of tariffs, visa restrictions, and port levies if they move forward with the accord.

With this approach, Washington expresses its determination to secure leverage in global shipping while resisting environmental measures it deems costly for the industry. The shipping industry accounts for close to 3% of worldwide CO2 emissions and handles about 90% of global trade. As such, the strategy pursued by the U.S. adds another layer of uncertainty for investors dealing with freight-related assets.

Investors tracking the freight sector must therefore weigh the short-term effects of shifting regulations against the long-term benefits that the expanding trade volumes may provide. After evaluating various variables, we have put together a list of 13 best freight stocks that stand a chance of overcoming the odds and generating a healthy income for the investors.

Stay with us as we count them down from 13 to 1. The top 5 might just be what your portfolio needs.

Our Methodology

When putting together our list of 13 best freight stocks to invest in now, we followed a few criteria. Primarily, we have included only those stocks established under the freight industry. For ranking the stocks, we have used the number of hedge funds as of the second quarter of 2025. We gathered this data from the Insider Monkey database. We have also filtered stocks based on the positive upside potential to ensure that all the entrants on our list generate a modest return for investors. All the data used in the article was taken from financial databases and analyst reports, with all information updated as of September 8, 2025.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

13. Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE:SNDR)

No. of Hedge Funds: 18

Upside Potential: 9.98%

Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE:SNDR) gains an entry into our list of 13 best freight stocks to invest in now. Following mixed second-quarter earnings results, the company’s top executive made a bold move.

The company reported its second-quarter earnings on July 31, 2025, highlighting a 10% increase in enterprise revenues, excluding fuel surcharge, compared to the previous year. It also reported a 60% sequential increase and a 30% year-over-year increase in truckload earnings. The company’s strong rail relationships and growing foothold in Mexico led to a fifth consecutive growth in volumes in the Intermodal segment.

However, the inflationary pressures prevailing in significant areas like accident claims and equipment-related costs create headwinds for the company. Additionally, the current trade uncertainties and the shifting trade policies are expected to have a significant impact during the second half of 2025 as well.

Possibly owing to these mixed results, Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE:SNDR)’s Executive Vice President, Thomas Jackson, made a bold move, selling 36,596 shares in a transaction valued at $891,567. However, with 18 hedge funds invested in the stock and an upside potential of 9.98%, Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE:SNDR) offers a risk and reward-balanced opportunity for investors.

Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE:SNDR) is a Wisconsin-based major transportation and logistics company. Founded in 1935, the company offers a variety of services, including truckload, intermodal, and dedicated freight shipping. It has a large fleet supported by technological innovations.

12. ArcBest Corporation (NASDAQ:ARCB)

No. of Hedge Funds: 22

Upside Potential: 12.95%

ArcBest Corporation (NASDAQ:ARCB) makes it into our list of 13 best freight stocks to invest in now. Amid mixed second-quarter results, the company’s CEO expresses confidence in the company’s growth.

The company’s Q2 2025 revenue totaled $1 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in the prior year period. Net income from continuing operations also saw a decline, standing at $25.8 million against the $46.9 million net income in the second quarter of 2024. Tonnage per day saw a 4.3% increase, and the daily shipments saw a 5.6% increase owing to the newly onboarded core LTL customers.

The company’s Chairman and CEO, Judy R. McReynolds, made the following statement, projecting a positive outlook.

“In today’s rapidly evolving environment, our customers are seeking flexible, forward-thinking solutions. Thanks to the deep expertise across our organization and our integrated offerings, we’re well-positioned to meet those needs with a high level of service.”

ArcBest Corporation (NASDAQ:ARCB) benefits from modest institutional interest offered by 22 hedge funds invested in the company’s stock. Upside potential of the stock stands attractive at 12.95%.

ArcBest Corporation (NASDAQ:ARCB) is an Arkansas-headquartered logistics and transportation company founded in 1923. It provides a range of services from less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping through its ABF Freight subsidiary to expedited and managed solutions.