XPO Announces Brad Jacobs to Step Down as Executive Chairman
Rhea-AI Summary
XPO (NYSE: XPO) announced that Brad Jacobs will step down as Executive Chairman effective December 31, 2025 and will serve as Special Advisor through June 30, 2026. Mario Harik will assume the role of Chairman while continuing as CEO, a change described as supporting continuity of strategy and long-term value creation for customers, employees, and shareholders.
Jacobs highlighted his long tenure and said he will support the company as an advisor; Harik praised Jacobs and said he is honored to lead as both Chairman and CEO.
Positive
- Board leadership transition effective Dec 31, 2025
- Mario Harik to serve as Chairman while remaining CEO
- Brad Jacobs to support transition as Special Advisor through Jun 30, 2026
- Company cites continuity of strategy and long-term value creation
Negative
- Combination of Chair and CEO centralizes leadership roles
- Founder Executive Chairman role ends, reducing founder oversight
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Pre-news, XPO was down 0.71% while key LTL peers like ODFL (+0.23%), SAIA (+0.21%), and KNX (+0.99%) were modestly positive, with SNDR (-1.17%) and TFII (-0.76%) mixed, pointing to stock-specific rather than broad sector-driven pressure.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 01 | Monthly LTL metrics | Negative | +1.0% | Preliminary November LTL tonnage and shipment declines versus prior year. |
| Nov 11 | Employer recognition | Positive | -0.8% | Military Friendly Gold Employer award highlighting veteran hiring and programs. |
| Oct 30 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | +9.0% | Q3 revenue growth, higher adjusted EPS and EBITDA, strong North American LTL. |
| Sep 24 | Industry award | Positive | -2.4% | FreightTech 100 inclusion recognizing technology and AI use in operations. |
| Sep 17 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | +1.5% | Scheduling Q3 2025 earnings call and providing access details for investors. |
Recent company-specific news often showed divergence: several positive recognition or award announcements coincided with short-term share price declines, while mixed but solid earnings data aligned with a stronger positive reaction.
Over the last few months, XPO reported mixed but overall constructive operating and financial trends. Q3 2025 results on Oct 30 showed revenue of $2.11B with higher adjusted EPS and EBITDA, driving a +8.99% move. Subsequent operating updates highlighted year-over-year softness in LTL tonnage, while the company gained recognition as a 2026 FreightTech 100 member and a Military Friendly Gold Employer. Against this backdrop, the leadership transition concentrating the Chairman and CEO roles in Mario Harik fits within an ongoing focus on LTL operations, technology and brand positioning.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement outlines a planned leadership transition, with Brad Jacobs stepping down as Executive Chairman on December 31, 2025 and remaining Special Advisor through June 30, 2026, while Mario Harik becomes Chairman and continues as CEO. In the months prior, XPO combined solid Q3 $2.11B revenue growth with some softness in LTL operating metrics and ongoing legacy liability matters. Investors may focus on how consolidated leadership supports strategy execution, LTL performance, and balance sheet management.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
CEO Mario Harik to Become Chairman, while Continuing as CEO
GREENWICH, Conn., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XPO, Inc. (NYSE: XPO) announced today that Brad Jacobs will step down as Executive Chairman of the Board, effective December 31, 2025. Jacobs will transition to the role of Special Advisor to the Company through June 30, 2026. Mario Harik will serve as Chairman of the Board while continuing in his role as CEO, which he has held since 2022. Harik’s increased responsibility underscores the Company’s commitment to continuity of strategy and long-term value creation for customers, employees, and shareholders.
“Leading XPO since 2011 has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” Jacobs said. “Mario was one of my very first hires at XPO, and he’s done an exceptional job in every role he’s had, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Customer Officer, President of LTL, and most consequentially as CEO. The company is in very capable hands, and I look forward to supporting its continued success as an advisor through June 2026.”
“Brad has been an exceptional partner and mentor,” Harik said. “His vision is the reason for the strong foundation we continue to build upon today. I’m honored to carry forward our shared mission as Chairman and CEO.”
About XPO
XPO, Inc. (NYSE: XPO) is a leader in asset-based less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation in North America. The company’s customer-focused organization efficiently moves 17 billion pounds of freight per year, enabled by its proprietary technology. XPO serves 55,000 customers with 605 locations and 38,000 employees in North America and Europe, and is headquartered in Greenwich, Conn., USA. Visit xpo.com for more information, and connect with XPO on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Investor Contact
Brian Scasserra
+1-617-607-6429
brian.scasserra@xpo.com
Media Contact
Cole Horton
+1-203-609-6004
cole.horton@xpo.com
FAQ
When will Brad Jacobs step down as Executive Chairman of XPO (XPO)?
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What reason did XPO give for the leadership change announced December 15, 2025?
