C.H. Robinson defies stock market slump with AI-driven growth in Q4 2025
C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) has reported a mixed but resilient performance for Q4 2025. Despite a challenging stock market today, the company grew its truckload and LTL volumes while returning millions to shareholders. New CEO Dave Bozeman led the earnings call, highlighting productivity gains and strategic progress.
The logistics firm saw total revenue and average gross profit (AGP) drop by around 7.4% year over year in Q4. This decline was largely due to normalising ocean freight rates and the divestiture of its Europe Surface Transportation division. However, CHRW still managed to outperform the broader stock market in key areas.
In North American Surface Transportation (NAST), the company increased total volume by 1% and truckload volume by roughly 3%. This growth stood out against a market-wide decline of 7.6%. CHRW's lean AI strategy played a major role, automating 95% of missed LTL pickup checks and cutting return trips by 42%.
Financially, CHRW returned $207.7 million to shareholders during the quarter, split between $133.3 million in share repurchases and $74.3 million in dividends. The company also improved its balance sheet, lowering net debt to EBITDA leverage from 1.17 times in Q3 to 1.03 times by the end of Q4.
Management remains optimistic about the next two years, predicting sustainable outperformance across stock market cycles. Productivity initiatives and margin expansion in NAST and Global Forwarding helped offset broader macroeconomic challenges.
Dave Bozeman, who took over as CEO in Q4 2024, led the earnings discussion. His leadership comes at a time when CHRW is focusing on efficiency and strategic growth despite external pressures.
CHRW's latest results show a company adapting to stock market shifts while strengthening its position. The firm's AI-driven productivity gains and disciplined financial management have helped it gain share in a shrinking market. With a new CEO at the helm, the focus now turns to sustaining this momentum in the coming years.
