When ships pay up to US$4 million just to jump the queue at the Panama Canal, it is a signal that global trade routes are under real strain and that money is being made and lost in unexpected corners of the market. That kind of stress can reshape pricing power, contract terms, and customer relationships. This article walks through three freight forwarding and 3PL stocks that are closely tied to this story and explains how the same news can create very different risk and reward profiles for investors.
The three stocks covered next are just a sample, and the full screen surfaced 27 more freight forwarding and 3PL companies with equally compelling stories that are not included in this article. To identify and analyze those extra opportunities straight away, head into the Global Freight Forwarders & Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers screener.
Nippon Express Holdings (TSE:9147)
Overview: Nippon Express Holdings is a global logistics group that runs rail, road, air and ocean freight, warehousing and heavy haulage operations across Japan, the Americas, Europe, East Asia, South Asia and Oceania, supporting end to end supply chains for a wide range of industries. It also offers security transport, in factory work, information asset management and real estate services, giving it multiple ways to serve large, complex customers when trade routes are under pressure.
Operations: Nippon Express Holdings generates most of its revenue from Logistics Japan at ¥1,277.9b, supported by Logistics Support at ¥430.7b and overseas logistics operations in Europe at ¥579.4b, South Asia and Oceania at ¥178.8b, East Asia at ¥178.7b and the Americas at ¥139.2b, with additional contributions from security transportation at ¥70.2b and heavy haulage and construction at ¥51.8b.
Market Cap: ¥1.36t
Nippon Express Holdings appears in this screener because it sits at the intersection of stressed global trade routes and rising demand for complex end to end logistics. The group reports higher air and ocean forwarding volumes and firm freight rates, while its Global Charter Desk and Pan Asia solutions are aimed at time sensitive cargo when canals clog and routes change. At the same time, analysts currently forecast earnings growth and one valuation model suggests the stock trades below an estimate of fair value, after a period of weak margins and large one off gains. In addition, there is an active buyback plan and pressure from an activist investor, so both business performance and capital allocation are areas of focus.
Rising air and ocean volumes, firm freight rates and an activist pushing for sharper capital allocation make Nippon Express Holdings look like a story that is still being priced in. Get the full picture in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs
Build your own freight and logistics shortlist
Nippon Express Holdings and the two other freight stocks highlighted here all surfaced from a single screen, but the real advantage comes when you shape the filters yourself. Use our flexible Screener to mix valuation, growth, balance sheet and risk filters to suit your approach, or use our curated Investing Ideas for ready made starting points.
NTG Nordic Transport Group (CPSE:NTG)
Overview: NTG Nordic Transport Group is an asset light freight forwarder that coordinates road, rail, air and ocean shipments, along with warehousing and 4PL services, so customers can move everything from temperature sensitive goods to oversized industrial cargo across Europe, the US and global trade lanes without owning the trucks, planes or ships itself.
Operations: NTG Nordic Transport Group generates most of its revenue from Road & Logistics at DKK 9.7b and Air & Ocean at DKK 2.5b, with a small negative adjustment from revenue between segments.
Market Cap: DKK 5.9b
NTG Nordic Transport Group is closely connected to the same cross border flows that are being reshaped by higher canal transit costs and rerouting, and it operates with an asset light model and growing exposure to higher value services such as temperature controlled and project cargo. Recent results show H1 2026 sales of DKK 6,313 million and net income of DKK 139 million. The flip side is meaningful debt, a relatively new management team and ongoing integration work in key markets, which means investors need to weigh efficiency and pricing power against balance sheet risk and execution demands.
NTG Nordic Transport Group’s asset light model and higher value services can appear to be an efficiency story that many investors only partially recognize. Get the full context and balance sheet angle in the NTG Nordic Transport Group financial health report
Mahindra Logistics (NSEI:MAHLOG)
Overview: Mahindra Logistics is an integrated, asset light logistics provider that runs warehousing, transportation, freight forwarding, last mile delivery and enterprise mobility services for sectors such as autos, e commerce, FMCG, pharmaceuticals and telecom across India and select international routes.
Operations: Mahindra Logistics generates most of its revenue from Supply Chain Management at ₹69.6b, with Enterprise Mobility Services contributing ₹4.2b and a small segment adjustment of ₹29.4m.
Market Cap: ₹40.4b
Mahindra Logistics gives you direct exposure to India’s shift toward outsourced, integrated 3PL solutions at a time when global trade routes are more complex and customers are looking for partners that can redesign networks, not just move boxes. The company has turned earnings positive, is cutting unused warehouse space and is focusing on higher yield contracts. Together, these factors support the existing narrative of improving margins and a more reasonable forward P/E over time. At the same time, the stock carries a high current P/E, a history of shareholder dilution and ongoing losses in its express subsidiary, so execution on contract quality, freight forwarding amid disruptions and capital discipline will matter a lot more than headline growth.
Mahindra Logistics appears to be an earnings recovery story that many investors still view with caution. To understand how contract quality, freight forwarding and capital discipline all fit together, read the full narrative for Mahindra Logistics
Curious To Seek Alternatives Beyond Freight?
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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.
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