Critical Comparison: Proficient Auto Logistics (PAL) versus Its Rivals

Proficient Auto Logistics (NASDAQ:PAL) is one of 45 publicly-traded companies in the “TRANS – SERVICES” industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Proficient Auto Logistics to similar businesses based on the strength of its earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Proficient Auto Logistics and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
Proficient Auto Logistics	$240.85 million	-$8.48 million	-406.75
Proficient Auto Logistics Competitors	$8.70 billion	$179.07 million	-12.62

Proficient Auto Logistics’ peers have higher revenue and earnings than Proficient Auto Logistics. Proficient Auto Logistics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Proficient Auto Logistics and its peers’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Proficient Auto Logistics	-3.12%	-1.44%	-0.95%
Proficient Auto Logistics Competitors	2.65%	-215.41%	-0.55%

Risk and Volatility

Proficient Auto Logistics has a beta of 2.53, suggesting that its share price is 153% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Proficient Auto Logistics’ peers have a beta of 0.87, suggesting that their average share price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

55.5% of shares of all “TRANS – SERVICES” companies are held by institutional investors. 13.9% of Proficient Auto Logistics shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 23.0% of shares of all “TRANS – SERVICES” companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Proficient Auto Logistics and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Proficient Auto Logistics	1	1	2	0	2.25
Proficient Auto Logistics Competitors	483	1481	1596	94	2.36

Proficient Auto Logistics presently has a consensus target price of $12.50, indicating a potential upside of 53.66%. As a group, “TRANS – SERVICES” companies have a potential upside of 2.62%. Given Proficient Auto Logistics’ higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Proficient Auto Logistics is more favorable than its peers.

Summary

Proficient Auto Logistics peers beat Proficient Auto Logistics on 9 of the 13 factors compared.

Proficient Auto Logistics Company Profile

Proficient Auto Logistics, Inc. focuses on providing auto transportation and logistics services in North America. It primarily focuses on transporting and delivering finished vehicles from automotive production facilities, ports of entry, and rail yards to a network of automotive dealerships. The company operates approximately 1,130 auto transport vehicles and trailers, including 615 company-owned transport vehicles and trailers. It serves auto companies, electric vehicle producers, auto dealers, auto auctions, rental car companies, and auto leasing companies. The company was formerly known as AH Acquisition Corp. and changed its name to Proficient Auto Logistics, Inc. in October 2023. The company was incorporated in 2023 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.