C.H. Robinson outperforms market in Q4 2025

C.H. Robinson delivered another quarter of outperformance in Q4 2025 despite one of the most challenging freight environments in over a decade. The company demonstrated disciplined execution, market share gains, and the accelerating impact of its Lean AI strategy.

President and CEO Dave Bozeman emphasized the company outpaced broader industry trends. The Cass Freight Shipment Index declined year over year for the 13th consecutive quarter. The index hit its lowest Q4 level since 2009.

Trucking spot costs spiked during the final five weeks of the year. Tightening capacity, winter storms, and regulatory pressures drove the increase. Ocean shipping faced declining demand and excess vessel capacity.

Q4 Results Show Strong Execution

NAST volume grew 1.0% in Q4, including approximately 3% truckload growth. This outperformed a 7.6% decline in the Cass Freight Shipment Index. NAST AGP margin expanded by 20 basis points year over year despite spot market cost pressure.

Global Forwarding achieved 120 basis points of gross margin expansion in the quarter. Stronger revenue management supported the improvement.

Total revenue and AGP declined 7% and 4% year over year. Significantly lower ocean rates primarily drove the decreases. NAST AGP increased 2%, partially offsetting the international decline.

Operating margin excluding restructuring expanded 320 basis points. Strong cost optimization and Lean AI productivity improvements drove the expansion. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 1.7% to $1.23 despite macro headwinds.

Market Share Gains Continue

Q4 marked the 11th consecutive quarter of NAST market share gains. The company’s focus on strategic verticals delivered double-digit growth in retail and automotive.

Enhanced drop trailer capabilities, expanded cross-border solutions, and increased warehousing and cross-dock space near the U.S.-Mexico border supported the growth. President of NAST Michael Castagnetto said the results show the strength of the operating model and ability to deliver in any market.

Lean AI Drives Competitive Edge

Bozeman stated the company consistently focused on controlling what it can control. “This focus, and the strength of our Lean AI, which is the combination of our Lean operating model, industry leading technology and the best logisticians, has enabled us to consistently outperform over the last two years, and we did it again in Q4,” he said.

Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Arun Rajan highlighted newly deployed AI agents addressing missed LTL pickups. The agents reduced return-trip pickups by 42% and automated 95% of checks. They help carriers improve their own operations using newly surfaced data.

Financial Strength Maintained

CFO Damon Lee highlighted the company’s disciplined financial management. C.H. Robinson generated $305 million in cash from operations during the quarter. It returned $207.7 million to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases.

Bozeman concluded with confidence. “We are the new disruptor,” he said. “You’ve heard us say that we expect the next two years to be more exciting than the last two years, and the last two years have been pretty damn exciting.”

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