Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) vs. CBL International (NASDAQ:BANL) Critical Contrast

CBL International (NASDAQ:BANL) and Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) are both small-cap transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends.

Risk and Volatility

CBL International has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Universal Logistics has a beta of 0.9, suggesting that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares CBL International and Universal Logistics”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
CBL International	$592.52 million	0.02	-$3.87 million	N/A	N/A
Universal Logistics	$1.64 billion	0.21	$129.91 million	($1.52)	-8.53

Universal Logistics has higher revenue and earnings than CBL International.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for CBL International and Universal Logistics, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
CBL International	1	0	0	0	1.00
Universal Logistics	2	1	0	0	1.33

Universal Logistics has a consensus target price of $24.00, suggesting a potential upside of 85.19%. Given Universal Logistics’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Universal Logistics is more favorable than CBL International.

Profitability

This table compares CBL International and Universal Logistics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
CBL International	N/A	N/A	N/A
Universal Logistics	3.66%	9.47%	3.49%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.1% of CBL International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 25.5% of Universal Logistics shares are owned by institutional investors. 73.6% of Universal Logistics shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Universal Logistics beats CBL International on 11 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About CBL International

CBL International Limited, a marine fuel logistics company, provides vessel refueling solutions in Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Singapore, and internationally. It facilitates vessel refueling between ship operators and local physical distributors/traders by purchasing marine fuel, including both fossil fuel and alternative fuel. The company’s services to its customers include vessel refueling options available at ports; arranges vessel refueling activities and local physical delivery of marine fuel; and coordinates vessel refueling schedule. It also offers trade credit; handles unforeseeable circumstances and provides contingency solutions; fulfills special requests related to vessel refueling; and handles disputes relates to quality and quantity issues on marine fuel. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CBL International Limited operates as a subsidiary of CBL (Asia) Limited.

About Universal Logistics

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. provides transportation and logistics solutions in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. The company offers truckload services, which include dry van, flatbed, heavy-haul, and refrigerated operations; domestic and international freight forwarding, and customs brokerage services. It transports various commodities comprising automotive parts, machinery, building materials, paper, food, consumer goods, furniture, steel, and other metals. The company also provides value-added services for individual customer requirements, including material handling, consolidation, sequencing, sub-assembly, cross-dock, kitting, repacking, warehousing, and returnable container management; and intermodal support services comprising short-to-medium distance delivery of steamship and rail truck containers between the port or railhead, and the customer. It serves automotive, steel, and other metals, retail and consumer goods, energy, and manufacturing industries, as well as other transportation companies who aggregate loads from various shippers. The company was formerly known as Universal Truckload Services, Inc. and changed its name to Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. in April 2016. Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Warren, Michigan.