Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) vs Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN)

A side-by-side comparison of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. and Waste Connections, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 27, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnODFL vs WCN

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ODFL +793.8% (+24.5%/yr)WCN +254.1% (+13.5%/yr)ODFL compounded faster over this window
2004006008001kStart $10020182020202220242026$894$354
ODFL WCN

ODFL vs WCN: by the numbers

  • WCN is the larger company ($41.76B vs $41.61B market cap).
  • ODFL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (38.43 vs 40.12 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ODFL converts more revenue to profit (19.44% vs 10.86% net margin).
  • WCN grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.38% vs 4.12% CAGR).
  • WCN pays the higher dividend yield (0.85% vs 0.57%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricODFLWCN
P/E ratio38.4340.12
Forward P/E34.2828.92
P/S ratio7.434.33
P/B ratio9.155.35
EV / EBITDA22.7717.57
FCF yield2.68%4.28%

Profitability

MetricODFLWCN
Gross margin31.70%39.22%
Operating margin25.84%17.09%
Net margin19.44%10.86%
ROE23.95%13.44%
ROIC20.81%6.63%

Dividends

MetricODFLWCN
Dividend yield0.57%0.85%
Payout ratio23.51%33.41%

Growth (annualized)

MetricODFLWCN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.12%11.38%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.14%39.97%
FCF CAGR (5Y)12.67%16.32%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.40%6.06%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ODFL or WCN?
ODFL has the lower trailing P/E: ODFL trades at 38.43 and WCN at 40.12. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ODFL or WCN?
Over the past five years, WCN grew revenue faster — ODFL at a 4.12% CAGR versus WCN at 11.38%.
Does ODFL or WCN pay a bigger dividend?
ODFL yields 0.57% and WCN yields 0.85% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ODFL or WCN more profitable?
ODFL runs the higher net margin — ODFL at 19.44% versus WCN at 10.86%.
How have ODFL and WCN total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ODFL delivered 24.61% and WCN delivered 13.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 27, 2026.