C.H. Robinson Worldwide is making a bold move amid mounting headwinds in the freight industry. The company announced Monday that it will acquire freight and logistics company RXO for an implied value of $5.8 billion.

Shares of RXO surged 22% to $28.51 Monday, while the S&P 500 rose 0.6%. The stock was on pace for its largest single-day percentage gain since June 24, 2024, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

The deal will merge C.H. Robinson with RXO, a company that specializes in tech-enabled transportation solutions, creating a joint transportation company with an enterprise value surpassing $25 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, the companies said in a press release Monday.

C.H. Robinson stock fell 12% to $138.29 and was the worst performer in the S&P 500. Shares are on pace to close at their lowest level since Oct. 29, 2025, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

The stock-and-cash deal has an implied value of $5.8 billion. RXO stockholders can choose to receive cash, stock, or both. Shareholders will receive $30.25 a share in total implied value, which represents a 29% premium over RXO's closing price on Oct. 2, of $23.38.

Under the agreement, C.H. Robinson expects to cut $300 million in annual costs within two years by using the company's artificial-intelligence tools to boost efficiency and lower vendor spending. The deal will begin increasing earnings per share within nine months and boost earnings by midteen percentages by 2028, C.H. Robinson said.

Investors are taking a dim view of the deal. The combined value of both companies in early trading was about $24.6 billion. The value was closer to $26 billion Friday.

Deals often create stock market value, with investors essentially capitalizing on cost synergy numbers. Synergies of $300 million might generate value of $3 billion to $4 billion, based on typical valuation multiples for truck brokers. Said another way, the combined value of both companies would be closer to $30 billion if investors liked the deal.

Investors, however, have been nervous about the freight industry. Coming into Monday trading, C.H. Robinson stock was down 25% from its 52-week high. Fears about changing truck broker regulation, AI disruption, and high diesel prices have driven many shipping stocks lower.

The lower valuations, however, were an opportunity for C.H. Robinson to make a transformational acquisition. Time will tell if that was the right call.