Tariffs and freight costs are suddenly front and center again, and that matters directly for the stocks you own. When shipping rates spike and new US tariffs loom over imports from China, Europe and other key partners, some companies see extra revenue, while others face squeezed profit margins and tougher decisions on pricing. This article focuses on that tension, using our Tariff and Freight Disruption Stocks With Direct Supply Chain Exposure screener to pick out 3 stocks exposed to the latest trade headlines, with one that could benefit from surging freight activity and two where tariff and cost pressure look more like a risk signal.

Dollar Tree (DLTR)

Overview: Dollar Tree is a discount retailer that runs Dollar Tree stores across the US and Canada, selling low-priced everyday essentials like food, household goods, health and personal care items, as well as toys, party supplies and seasonal products.

Operations: Dollar Tree generates around US$19.7b in revenue primarily from its Dollar Tree segment, with a small segment adjustment of US$16.1m.

Market Cap: US$23.2b

Investors may consider Dollar Tree because it serves value-focused shoppers at a time of rising import costs. The company reports strong traffic, a multi price assortment and a high current ROE. It is, however, heavily exposed to Asian sourcing and new tariffs that management estimates could add around US$20 million a month in pre-mitigation costs. Earnings grew 15.7% over the past year and the stock trades below some estimated fair value measures. At the same time, high debt, margin pressure from tariffs and freight, and a more complex pricing model raise questions about how durable that performance is if cost relief or mitigation efforts fall short.

Dollar Tree’s freight and tariff costs are rising, while the current ROE and multi-price strategy risk masking where pressure really sits in the model. Review the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign before the next cost shock hits.

Best Buy (BBY)

Overview: Best Buy is a retailer of consumer electronics and appliances, selling everything from laptops, phones and gaming gear to TVs, refrigerators and smart home devices. It also offers services such as delivery, installation, repairs, tech support and warranties through its stores and websites in the US, Canada and internationally.

Operations: Best Buy generates the majority of its revenue from its Domestic segment at about US$38.4b, with a smaller International segment contributing around US$3.5b.

Market Cap: US$16.0b

Best Buy may look appealing with a high ROE, a sizeable dividend near 5% and analyst expectations for earnings growth supported by upgrade cycles and higher margin services. However, the current tariff and freight backdrop puts those strengths under pressure. Management has already indicated that tariffs on China sourced electronics and higher shipping costs could weigh on comparable sales and margins, while vendors are likely to pass on at least part of the extra cost. Combined with heavy reliance on external borrowing, intense online competition and recent insider selling, there is a risk that even if revenue holds up, a larger share of each US$ of sales could be absorbed by costs at the same time as investors are pricing in a recovery story.

Best Buy’s high ROE, near 5% dividend and tariff exposure could be masking where stress really builds in the model. Read the 5 key rewards and 1 important warning sign to see what could crack first.

Kuehne + Nagel International (SWX:KNIN)

Overview: Kuehne + Nagel International is a global logistics company that arranges sea, air, road and contract logistics services for customers across industries such as healthcare, high tech, automotive and consumer goods, handling everything from shipping and customs clearance to warehousing and last mile delivery.

Operations: Kuehne + Nagel International generates revenue mainly from Air Logistics at about CHF 13.5b, Sea Logistics at roughly CHF 10.1b, Road Logistics at around CHF 5.0b and Contract Logistics at approximately CHF 4.9b, with group eliminations of CHF 9.8b.

Market Cap: CHF 23.8b

Kuehne + Nagel International operates at the center of the current tariff and freight surge. Its scale in sea and air forwarding gives it exposure to rising volumes and higher freight rates while many importers see margins squeezed. Analysts currently project moderate earnings growth and the stock trades on a P/E that is lower than some peers. At the same time, recent quarters show softer revenue and profit, an unstable dividend history and pressure on margins that investors may wish to monitor closely. For anyone following tariff-exposed supply chain stocks, a key question is how much of this freight pricing power will translate into sustainable earnings once demand, fuel costs and capacity pressures shift.

Kuehne + Nagel International sits where freight pricing power meets tariff stress, yet the full story may not be in the headline numbers alone. Read the analysis report for Kuehne + Nagel International to see what could quietly reshape this supply chain heavyweight next.

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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.