Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) vs Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) has outperformed Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) over the past year, gaining 48.7% versus a gain of 24.2%. Over five years, KNX leads with a +28.6% price change compared with +16.1% for ODFL. Old Dominion Freight Line is the larger company by market cap ($36.52 billion vs $10.35 billion), about 3.5 times the size, while Knight-Swift Transportation is growing revenue faster (+0.8% vs -5.5%).
On valuation, Knight-Swift Transportation trades at a lower forward P/E (15.8x vs 26.2x for Old Dominion Freight Line). Knight-Swift Transportation offers the higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.65%). Old Dominion Freight Line converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.6% versus 0.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | KNX | ODFL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.62 | $175.61 |
| Market cap | $10.35B | $36.52B |
| 1-day change | -1.56% | -1.35% |
| YTD return | +21.69% | +12.00% |
| 1-year return | +48.68% | +24.23% |
| 5-year return | +28.63% | +16.10% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 235.63 | 33.77 |
| Forward P/E | 15.75 | 26.19 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.27 | $5.20 |
| Dividend yield | 1.19% | 0.65% |
| Annual dividend | $0.76 | $1.14 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.47B | $5.50B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.80% | -5.48% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $65.95M | $1.02B |
| Operating margin | 2.89% | 24.76% |
| Net margin | 0.88% | 18.63% |
| 52-week high | $82.86 | $252.03 |
| 52-week low | $41.24 | $126.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -23.22% | -30.32% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +36.12% | +29.34% |
| Average volume | 3.63M | 1.74M |
| Shares outstanding | 162.76M | 207.97M |
| Employees | 37,100 | 20,173 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Trucking Freight/Courier Services | Trucking Freight/Courier Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Old Dominion Freight Line is about 3.5 times larger than Knight-Swift Transportation by market value ($36.52B vs $10.35B).
- KNX has outperformed ODFL by 24.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Knight-Swift Transportation trades at a higher earnings multiple (235.6x vs 33.8x trailing P/E).
- Old Dominion Freight Line is more profitable, keeping 18.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 0.9 cents for Knight-Swift Transportation.
- Knight-Swift Transportation grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+0.80% vs -5.48%).
About Knight-Swift Transportation
KNX stock →Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a freight transportation company in the United States and Mexico. The company operates through four segments: Truckload, LTL, Logistics, and Intermodal.
Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 37,100 employees
About Old Dominion Freight Line
ODFL stock →Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. operates as a less-than-truckload motor carrier in the United States and North America.
Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 20,173 employees
KNX vs ODFL FAQ
Which is bigger, Knight-Swift Transportation or Old Dominion Freight Line?
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $36.52B compared with $10.35B for Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KNX or ODFL?
KNX returned +48.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +24.23% for ODFL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KNX or ODFL?
ODFL has the lower trailing P/E at 33.8, versus 235.6 for KNX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Knight-Swift Transportation or Old Dominion Freight Line?
Knight-Swift Transportation has the higher yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.65% for Old Dominion Freight Line.
Are Knight-Swift Transportation and Old Dominion Freight Line in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Trucking Freight/Courier Services industry within the Industrials sector.