FWRD (Forward Air) Moat Score: 5/10 (As of Aug. 04, 2026)

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FWRD Forward Air Corp FWRD
56 GF Score
Price $14.67
GF Value $32.72
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 7 Warning Signs
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What is Forward Air Moat Score?

Forward Air FWRD +4.38% 56 Moat Score is 5 as of Aug. 04, 2026. GuruFocus rates FWRD with a GF Score™ of 56/100 and a GF Value™ of $32.72 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 7 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,058 Transportation companies, Forward Air ranks better than 93.38% on this metric.

Forward Air has the Moat Score of 5, which implies that the company might have Narrow Moat - Solid narrow moat.

Forward Air has Narrow Moat: Forward Air benefits from a solid distribution network and some cost advantages. However, it lacks strong brand strength and significant customer switching costs, resulting in a solid narrow moat.

Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more.

The company's Moat Score is based on these criteria:

1. Market leadership and sustainable market share
2. Network effects and significant customer switching costs
3. Valuable intellectual property and patents
4. Strong brand strength and deep customer loyalty
5. Durable cost advantages (e.g., economies of scale, proprietary technology)
6. Significant regulatory barriers and exclusive licenses
7. Superior distribution network
8. Strong and sustainable pricing power
9. Consistent and impactful innovation and R&D capabilities

Based on the research, GuruFocus believes Forward Air might have Narrow Moat - Solid narrow moat.


Forward Air  (NAS:FWRD) Moat Score Explanation

The Moat Score ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 as the highest. GuruFocus divided Moat Score into following 8 categories:

Moat Score Moat Level
10Wide Moat - Exceptionally dominant and durable wide moat
8 - 9Wide Moat - Clear and robust wide moat
7Wide Moat - Entry-level wide moat, clearly possessing durable advantages
6Narrow Moat - Strong narrow moat, clearly distinguishable but not wide
5Narrow Moat - Solid narrow moat
4Narrow Moat - Discernible but modest moat
1 - 3No Moat - Very weak/transient advantages
0No Moat - No discernible moat

Forward Air Moat Score Related Terms


FWRD vs RLGT, CYRX, PAL: Moat Score Comparison

For the Integrated Freight & Logistics subindustry, Forward Air's Moat Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Moat Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Forward Air Moat Score vs Transportation Industry

For the Transportation industry and Industrials sector, Forward Air's Moat Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Forward Air's Moat Score falls into.


FWRD
56GF Score
Forward Air Corp FWRD
Moat Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Moat Score →
What does a Moat Score of 5 mean?
Forward Air (FWRD) has a Moat Score of 5 as of Aug. 04, 2026. Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more. According to the industry distribution chart, Forward Air ranks #70 out of 1058 companies in the Transportation industry, placing it in the top 6.6%.
Is Forward Air's Moat Score too high?
Forward Air's current Moat Score is 5. Based on the distribution chart, Forward Air ranks #70 out of 1058 companies in the Transportation industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Forward Air has a GF Score™ of 56/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Forward Air's Moat Score compare to RLGT and CYRX?
According to the Transportation industry distribution chart, Forward Air ranks #70 out of 1058 companies for Moat Score. This places Forward Air in the top 7% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Moat Score for a Transportation company?
A good Moat Score depends on the Transportation industry context. However, Moat Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Moat Score mean?
A high Moat Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more. Forward Air's current Moat Score is 5. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Forward Air stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Forward Air (FWRD) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $32.72, compared to a current price of $14.67 — trading 55.2% below its estimated fair value. The current Moat Score is 5. Forward Air's overall GF Score™ is 56/100 with 7 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Moat Score calculated?
Moat Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Forward Air (FWRD), the current Moat Score is 5 as of Aug. 04, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Forward Air (FWRD) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Forward Air stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of $14.67 is trading 55.2% below its estimated GF Value™ of $32.72. GuruFocus considers Forward Air to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for FWRD:

  • Moat Score: 5
  • GF Value™: $32.72 vs. price of $14.67 (55.2% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 56/100 with 7 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the FWRD stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Forward Air Business Description

Address 3200 Olympus Boulevard, Suite 300, Dallas, TX, USA, 75019
Forward Air Corp is an asset-light freight and logistics company. The company's operating segment includes Expedited Freight, Omni Logistics, and Intermodal and Corporate. The company generates maximum revenue from the Omni Logistics segment. The expedited Freight segment operates a comprehensive national network to provide expedited regional, inter-regional, and national LTL (less-than-truckload) services. It also offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including final mile, truckload, shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage, and other handling. The Company conducts business in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
56GF Score

Get the complete analysis for FWRD

Moat Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$14.67
Price
$32.72
GF Value