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Tariffs Are Reshaping U.S. Logistics Stocks Here Are 3 Names Investors Are Watching

Simply Wall St·07/21/2026 21:25:42
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With tariffs back in the spotlight and fresh duties set to touch almost every corner of U.S. trade, investors are looking closely at logistics and supply chain providers that keep goods moving. These companies sit at the crossroads of global imports, domestic distribution, and cost pressures that can reshape profit pools across sectors. This article focuses on how the latest tariff shifts may affect selected U.S. Logistics and Supply Chain Providers, and what that could mean for investors watching this theme. It will walk through 3 stocks from the screener that appear positively exposed to the current tariff headlines.

Liquidity Services (LQDT)

Overview: Liquidity Services runs online marketplaces and software that help governments, retailers and industrial companies sell surplus, returned and used assets, ranging from consumer goods and apparel to heavy equipment, real estate and vehicles. Its platforms, including GovDeals and Liquidation.com, connect sellers with buyers globally for surplus inventory, reverse logistics and used equipment transactions.

Operations: Liquidity Services generates most of its US$479.9 million revenue from the Retail Supply Chain Group at about US$325.1 million, with additional contributions from GovDeals at US$91.2 million, Capital Assets Group at US$42.1 million and Machinio & Software Solutions at US$21.5 million, and the vast majority of sales coming from the United States.

Market Cap: US$1.21b

Investors watching tariffs and supply chain shifts may find Liquidity Services interesting because it sits where higher import costs, surplus inventory and demand for cheaper used assets all meet. The company operates marketplaces that can benefit when new goods become more expensive or harder to source. Recent results show positive earnings, high quality profits and a net margin of 6.3%. At the same time, a higher P/E, reliance on external borrowing and recent insider selling are important to weigh carefully. Management has highlighted tariffs as a potential tailwind for used equipment and retail liquidation activity. The key question is how these forces balance against valuation and funding risks.

Tariff driven inventory pressures and Liquidity Services high quality profits could be telling a different story about this US$1.21b stock, but the real twist sits in the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

NasdaqGS:LQDT P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026
NasdaqGS:LQDT P/E Ratio as at Jul 2026

Proficient Auto Logistics (PAL)

Overview: Proficient Auto Logistics provides auto transportation and logistics services across North America, moving finished vehicles from factories, ports and rail yards to dealerships and other end customers using a fleet of around 800 auto transport trucks and trailers. It serves traditional automakers, electric vehicle producers, dealers, auctions, rental car and leasing companies from its base in Jacksonville, Florida.

Operations: Proficient Auto Logistics generates about US$270.7 million of revenue from its Subhaulers segment and US$158.2 million from Company Drivers, with all reported revenue of roughly US$428.9 million coming from the United States.

Market Cap: US$195.5 million

Tariffs are front and center for automakers, and Proficient Auto Logistics sits in the middle of those decisions as OEMs rethink how many cars to import versus build and store domestically. The company is already handling contract wins, acquisitions and integration work, while dealing with a weaker auto market, customer concentration around OEMs and losses that widened to a US$6.49 million deficit in Q1 2026. At the same time, analysts see room for earnings improvement over the next few years, the valuation screens as low on sales and management is buying back stock. The real puzzle for investors is how this mix of tariff driven routing changes, growth plans and balance sheet risk ultimately plays out.

Proficient Auto Logistics appears to be an auto hauler with stalled earnings, but it has an unusual mix of new contracts, OEM exposure and buybacks that could be masking the real story. The analyst forecasts for Proficient Auto Logistics may reveal whether this represents quiet recovery potential or something investors are overlooking.

NasdaqGS:PAL Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026
NasdaqGS:PAL Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026

Marten Transport (MRTN)

Overview: Marten Transport is a long established U.S. truckload carrier that focuses on temperature controlled and insulated freight, moving food and consumer packaged goods across the United States, Mexico and Canada through its Truckload, Dedicated and Brokerage segments.

Operations: Marten Transport generates most of its revenue from Truckload at about US$422.7 million and Dedicated at US$268.3 million, with a further US$151.5 million from Brokerage and a US$21.6 million segment adjustment.

Market Cap: US$1.42b

Investors watching the tariff story may find Marten Transport interesting because it is a large U.S. based carrier that directly supports domestic freight when imported goods become more expensive or complex to source. The company is dealing with low profitability, earnings that have declined in recent years and a very high P/E multiple, while relying entirely on external funding for its liabilities, so the risks are clear. At the same time, analysts see very strong earnings growth potential, Marten has maintained a dividend and has access to expanded credit facilities that can support working capital as freight patterns adjust. The open question is whether this mix of tariff driven domestic demand and future earnings recovery can justify today’s valuation.

Marten Transport’s earnings story and tariff exposure could be setting up for a sharper turn than the headline P/E suggests, and the analyst forecasts for Marten Transport may highlight the key swing factor investors are missing

NasdaqGS:MRTN Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026
NasdaqGS:MRTN Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026

The three stocks in this article are just a starting point, and the full U.S. logistics and supply chain screen uncovers 12 more companies with equally compelling tariff and supply chain resilience narratives in the U.S. Logistics and Supply Chain Providers screener. With Simply Wall St, you can identify and analyze companies by filtering for the specific catalysts, balance sheet strength and earnings narratives that matter most, allowing you to focus on the highest conviction logistics and supply chain plays.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.