Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Financial Results; Declares Dividend
Rhea-AI Summary
Universal Logistics Holdings (NASDAQ: ULH) reported Q4 2025 operating revenues of $385.4 million, net income of $3.7 million ($0.14 per share) and operating income of $17.5 million. The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.105 per share payable April 3, 2026.
Segments: contract logistics revenue $268.6M, intermodal $52.7M (operating loss $10.6M), trucking $64.1M. Cash and equivalents totaled $26.8M; outstanding debt $802.3M.
Positive
- Dividend declared of $0.105 per share, payable April 3, 2026
- Contract logistics operating income of $23.2 million in Q4 2025
- EBITDA of $57.1 million for Q4 2025, preserving positive cash flow metrics
Negative
- Revenue decline to $385.4M, down from $465.1M year-over-year
- Net income fell to $3.7M (Q4 2025) from $20.2M prior year
- Intermodal operating loss widened to $(10.6)M and margin (20.0)%
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ULH was down 3.23% pre-announcement, while key trucking peers like ARCB (-5.26%), WERN (-4.17%), and MRTN (-4.1%) also traded lower, suggesting broader trucking weakness but without confirmed sector-wide momentum from the scanner.
Previous Dividends,earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06 | Q3 2025 earnings | Negative | -1.4% | Large intermodal impairments drove a Q3 2025 net loss and EPS hit. |
| Jul 24 | Q2 2025 earnings | Negative | +9.9% | Q2 2025 showed broad revenue and earnings declines across segments. |
| Apr 24 | Q1 2025 earnings | Negative | -4.8% | Q1 2025 saw sharp drops in revenue, operating income, and EPS. |
| Feb 06 | Q4 2024 earnings | Positive | -19.6% | Q4 2024 delivered strong revenue and operating income growth. |
| Oct 24 | Q3 2024 earnings | Positive | -10.9% | Q3 2024 featured higher revenue, income, and improved operating margin. |
Earnings/dividend releases have often coincided with negative price moves, including selloffs even on stronger prior-year quarters.
Recent dividends/earnings releases for Universal Logistics have highlighted a sharp deterioration from strong 2024 profitability to 2025 revenue and margin pressure, especially in intermodal. Several quarters featured declining operating income, net income, and EPS, with recurring quarterly dividends of $0.105 per share maintained throughout this period. Price reactions have skewed negative in 3 of the last 5 tag-matched events, underscoring investor sensitivity to weaker fundamentals.
Historical Comparison
Across the last 5 dividends/earnings releases, ULH’s average 24-hour move was -5.36%, showing that this news type has often coincided with downside reactions.
From late 2024 through 2025, quarterly dividends of $0.105 were maintained while earnings shifted from growth to repeated revenue and margin contractions, with intermodal weakness a recurring drag.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights that Universal generated Q4 2025 operating revenue of $385.4 million, net income of $3.7 million, and EPS of $0.14, while its operating and EBITDA margins declined versus the prior year. Intermodal remained a drag, offsetting steadier contract logistics and trucking performance. The board maintained a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per share. Investors may watch segment-level profitability, cash of $26.8 million against debt of $802.3 million, and any further updates on cost-saving initiatives.
Key Terms
EBITDA financial
non-GAAP financial
operating margin financial
fuel surcharges financial
capital expenditures financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Revenues:
$385.4 million - Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Income:
$17.5 million - Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Per Share:
per share$0.14 - Declares Quarterly Dividend:
per share$0.10 5
For comparative purposes, Universal reported total operating revenues of
In the fourth quarter 2025, Universal's operating income was
The Company's EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, during the fourth quarter 2025 was
The Company provides reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this release to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These quantitative reconciliations, together with management's explanation of the purposes for which the non-GAAP measures are used, are presented in the accompanying tables and related disclosures.
"The fourth quarter of 2025 yielded mixed results within our service portfolio," stated Tim Phillips, Universal's CEO. "Our contract logistics and trucking segments performed in line with expectations, while underperformance in intermodal remained a meaningful headwind to our overall results. We remain focused on driving efficiencies in our operations and executing cost-saving initiatives across the organization to support profitable growth. While market conditions remain muted, we believe the strength and resilience of Universal's business model will drive our long-term success."
Segment Information:
Contract Logistics
- Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Revenues:
$268.6 million - Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Income:
$23.2 million
In the contract logistics segment, which includes our value-added and dedicated services, fourth quarter 2025 operating revenues decreased
Included in contract logistics segment revenues were
Income from operations in the contract logistics segment during the fourth quarter 2025 was
Intermodal
- Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Revenues:
$52.7 million - Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating (Loss):
$(10.6) million
Operating revenues in the intermodal segment decreased
Included in intermodal segment revenues for the fourth quarter 2025 were
Load volumes declined
Trucking
- Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Revenues:
$64.1 million - Fourth Quarter 2025 Operating Income:
$4.5 million
In the trucking segment, fourth quarter 2025 operating revenues decreased
Fourth quarter 2025 trucking segment revenues included
On a year-over-year basis, load volumes declined
Cash Dividend
Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of
Other Matters
As of December 31, 2025, Universal held
Universal calculates and reports certain financial metrics, in addition to those prepared in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of its lending arrangements and to assist management in evaluating operating performance by isolating and excluding the impact of certain non-operating expenses associated with corporate development activities. These measures are described in more detail below in the section captioned "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
About Universal:
Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. ("Universal") is a holding company whose subsidiaries provide a variety of customized transportation and logistics solutions throughout
Forward Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this press release might be considered forward-looking statements. These statements identify prospective information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "prospect," "seek," "believe," "targets," "project," "estimate," "future," "likely," "may," "should" and similar references to future periods.
Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions; customer demand; pricing and competitive pressures; the timing, execution, and effectiveness of cost-reduction, efficiency, or restructuring initiatives; operating costs; labor availability; and other factors affecting operating income and margins.
Additional information about the factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements is contained in Universal's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Universal assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
UNIVERSAL LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, INC. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data)
| ||||||||||||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
Operating revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Truckload services | $ | 48,786 | $ | 61,850 | $ | 182,905 | $ | 234,397 | ||||||||
Brokerage services | 16,066 | 25,545 | 73,913 | 181,259 | ||||||||||||
Intermodal services | 51,929 | 70,379 | 252,095 | 300,721 | ||||||||||||
Dedicated services | 84,912 | 77,821 | 337,919 | 344,210 | ||||||||||||
Value-added services | 183,734 | 229,536 | 711,565 | 785,448 | ||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 385,427 | 465,131 | 1,558,397 | 1,846,035 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Purchased transportation and equipment rent | 69,121 | 100,320 | 310,435 | 482,948 | ||||||||||||
Direct personnel and related benefits | 176,436 | 174,871 | 685,540 | 583,251 | ||||||||||||
Operating supplies and expenses | 46,178 | 76,291 | 205,364 | 293,883 | ||||||||||||
Commission expense | 4,179 | 4,800 | 17,100 | 27,285 | ||||||||||||
Occupancy expense | 12,597 | 12,020 | 49,391 | 44,209 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 13,337 | 16,434 | 54,166 | 56,998 | ||||||||||||
Insurance and claims | 7,033 | 5,719 | 30,090 | 26,441 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 39,056 | 36,393 | 146,247 | 124,188 | ||||||||||||
Impairment expense | — | — | 124,411 | 3,720 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 367,937 | 426,848 | 1,622,744 | 1,642,923 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 17,490 | 38,283 | (64,347) | 203,112 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (10,747) | (9,828) | (37,807) | (30,207) | ||||||||||||
Other non-operating income (expense) | 582 | (1,171) | 2,142 | 837 | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 7,325 | 27,284 | (100,012) | 173,742 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 3,590 | 7,109 | (139) | 43,835 | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 3,735 | $ | 20,175 | $ | (99,873) | $ | 129,907 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.77 | $ | (3.79) | $ | 4.94 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.77 | $ | (3.79) | $ | 4.93 | ||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 26,330 | 26,318 | 26,328 | 26,315 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 26,330 | 26,358 | 26,339 | 26,348 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share: | $ | 0.105 | $ | 0.105 | $ | 0.420 | $ | 0.420 | ||||||||
UNIVERSAL LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, INC. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)
| ||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 26,846 | $ | 19,351 | ||||
Marketable securities | 10,351 | 11,590 | ||||||
Accounts receivable - net | 261,337 | 293,646 | ||||||
Other current assets | 84,308 | 85,226 | ||||||
Total current assets | 382,842 | 409,813 | ||||||
Property and equipment - net | 819,495 | 742,366 | ||||||
Other long-term assets - net | 569,651 | 634,658 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,771,988 | $ | 1,786,837 | ||||
Liabilities and shareholders' equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities, excluding current maturities of debt | $ | 203,245 | $ | 215,756 | ||||
Debt - net | 797,571 | 759,085 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 230,817 | 164,973 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,231,633 | 1,139,814 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 540,355 | 647,023 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,771,988 | $ | 1,786,837 | ||||
UNIVERSAL LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, INC. Unaudited Summary of Operating Data
| ||||||||||||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
Contract Logistics Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
Average number of value-added direct employees | 7,392 | 7,337 | 7,411 | 5,809 | ||||||||||||
Average number of value-added full-time equivalents | 56 | 57 | 46 | 88 | ||||||||||||
Number of active value-added programs | 78 | 90 | 78 | 90 | ||||||||||||
Intermodal Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
Number of loads (a) | 81,275 | 100,457 | 379,100 | 417,790 | ||||||||||||
Average operating revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharges (a) | $ | 489 | $ | 537 | $ | 513 | $ | 554 | ||||||||
Average number of tractors | 1,246 | 1,451 | 1,350 | 1,585 | ||||||||||||
Number of depots | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Trucking Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
Number of loads | 26,737 | 36,068 | 116,541 | 155,288 | ||||||||||||
Average operating revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharges | $ | 2,330 | $ | 2,183 | $ | 2,069 | $ | 1,993 | ||||||||
Average number of tractors | 552 | 699 | 595 | 767 | ||||||||||||
Average length of haul | 382 | 394 | 378 | 334 | ||||||||||||
(a) | Excludes operating data from freight forwarding division in order to improve the relevance of the statistical data related to our intermodal segment and improve the comparability to our peer companies. |
UNIVERSAL LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, INC. Unaudited Summary of Operating Data - Continued (Dollars in thousands)
| ||||||||||||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
Operating Revenues by Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
Contract logistics | $ | 268,646 | $ | 307,357 | $ | 1,049,484 | $ | 1,129,658 | ||||||||
Intermodal | 52,727 | 73,095 | 257,017 | 308,744 | ||||||||||||
Trucking | 64,054 | 83,840 | 251,422 | 331,982 | ||||||||||||
Other | — | 839 | 474 | 75,651 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 385,427 | $ | 465,131 | $ | 1,558,397 | $ | 1,846,035 | ||||||||
Income from Operations by Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
Contract logistics | $ | 23,177 | $ | 39,094 | $ | 82,526 | $ | 219,084 | ||||||||
Intermodal | (10,554) | (9,683) | (162,055) | (27,741) | ||||||||||||
Trucking | 4,487 | 5,788 | 13,930 | 20,963 | ||||||||||||
Other | 380 | 3,084 | 1,252 | (9,194) | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 17,490 | $ | 38,283 | $ | (64,347) | $ | 203,112 | ||||||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with
The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons of operating performance across periods and by excluding certain items and impairment charges that may not be indicative of our core operating results. These measures are used internally by management to analyze operating performance, develop budgets, and forecast future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures, and other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently.
Reconciliation to GAAP Measures
Reconciliations of each non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are included in the accompanying tables in this press release. Set forth below is a reconciliation of income from operations, the most comparable GAAP measure, to adjusted income from operations; and of net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, to adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods indicated. The Company encourages investors to review these reconciliations in conjunction with our GAAP results.
Thirteen Weeks Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
( in thousands, except | ( in thousands, except | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted income from operations | ||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations | $ | 17,490 | $ | 38,283 | $ | (64,347) | $ | 203,112 | ||||||||
Impairment expense | — | — | 124,411 | 3,720 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted income from operations | $ | 17,490 | $ | 38,283 | $ | 60,064 | $ | 206,832 | ||||||||
Operating margin (a) | 4.5 | % | 8.2 | % | -4.1 | % | 11.0 | % | ||||||||
Adjusted operating margin (b) | 4.5 | % | 8.2 | % | 3.9 | % | 11.2 | % | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,735 | $ | 20,175 | $ | (99,873) | $ | 129,907 | ||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 3,590 | 7,109 | (139) | 43,835 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 10,747 | 9,828 | 37,807 | 30,207 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 36,258 | 29,198 | 129,562 | 102,688 | ||||||||||||
Amortization | 2,798 | 7,195 | 16,685 | 21,500 | ||||||||||||
EBITDA | 57,128 | 73,505 | 84,042 | 328,137 | ||||||||||||
Impairment expense | — | — | 124,411 | 3,720 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 57,128 | $ | 73,505 | $ | 208,453 | $ | 331,857 | ||||||||
EBITDA margin (c) | 14.8 | % | 15.8 | % | 5.4 | % | 17.8 | % | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin (d) | 14.8 | % | 15.8 | % | 13.4 | % | 18.0 | % | ||||||||
(a) | Operating margin is computed by dividing income from operations by total operating revenues for each of the periods indicated. |
(b) | Adjusted operating margin is computed by dividing adjusted income from operations by total operating revenues for each of the periods indicated. |
(c) | EBITDA margin is computed by dividing EBITDA by total operating revenues for each of the periods indicated. |
(d) | Adjusted EBITDA margin is computed by dividing adjusted EBITDA by total operating revenues for each of the periods indicated. |
We present adjusted income from operations, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin because we believe they assist investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance.
Adjusted income from operations and adjusted EBITDA have limitations as an analytical tool. Some of these limitations are:
- Adjusted income from operations and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
- Adjusted income from operations and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
- Adjusted income from operations and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts;
- Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
- Other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted income from operations and adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, adjusted income from operations, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and only supplementally adjusted income from operations, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin.
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SOURCE Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.
FAQ
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