KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$10.44B
5Y Perf.+54.4%
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Stock Comparison
KNX vs MRTN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.23B
5Y Perf.-11.7%
KNX vs MRTN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KNX | MRTN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $10.44B | $1.23B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $7.50B | $884M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $34M | $17M |
| Gross Margin | 30.6% | 5.7% |
| Operating Margin | 2.9% | 1.2% |
| Forward P/E | 34.7x | 54.1x |
| Total Debt | $2.89B | $388K |
| Cash & Equiv. | $303M | $43M |
KNX vs MRTN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KNX
MRTN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 154.4 | +54.4% |
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 88.3 | -11.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KNX vs MRTN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KNX leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Marten Transport, Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Growth Play
KNX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 0.8%, EPS growth -43.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.2%
- 160.3% 10Y total return vs MRTN's 143.1%
- 0.8% revenue growth vs MRTN's -8.3%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Income Pick
MRTN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.16, yield 1.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.16, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 1.86x
- Beta 1.16, yield 1.2%, current ratio 1.86x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KNX | 0.8% revenue growth vs MRTN's -8.3% |
| Value | KNX | Lower P/E (34.7x vs 54.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | MRTN | 2.0% margin vs KNX's 0.5% |
| Stability / Safety | MRTN | Beta 1.16 vs KNX's 1.40, lower leverage |
| Dividends | KNX | 1.1% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs MRTN's 1.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | KNX | +61.1% vs MRTN's +20.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MRTN | 1.8% ROA vs KNX's 0.3%, ROIC 1.1% vs 2.0% |
KNX vs MRTN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
KNX vs MRTN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMRTNLAGGINGKNX
KNXKnight-Swift Transpor…
2leads
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs KNXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KNX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MRTN3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MRTN5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KNX5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MRTN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
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Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KNX is the larger business by revenue, generating $7.5B annually — 8.5x MRTN's $884M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.0% (MRTN) to 0.5% (KNX). On growth, KNX holds the edge at +1.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $7.5B | $884M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.0B | $116M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $34M | $17M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.3B | -$51M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.6% | +5.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +2.9% | +1.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.5% | +2.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.8% | -5.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.4% | -8.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -104.3% | -34.4% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MRTN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 71.7x trailing earnings, MRTN trades at a 54% valuation discount to KNX's 156.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MRTN's 10.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KNX's 12.5x.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.4B | $1.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $13.0B | $1.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 156.73x | 71.71x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 34.73x | 54.08x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.54x | 10.20x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.40x | 1.39x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.48x | 1.60x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.68x | — |
MRTN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MRTN delivers a 2.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $2 in annual profit, vs $0 for KNX. MRTN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KNX's 0.41x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KNX scores 6/9 vs MRTN's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.5% | +2.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.3% | +1.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.0% | +1.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.3% | +1.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.41x | 0.00x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.6B | -$43M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $303M | $43M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.9B | $388,000 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.36x | — |
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KNX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KNX five years ago would be worth $13,754 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,494 for MRTN. Over the past 12 months, KNX leads with a +61.1% total return vs MRTN's +20.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KNX at 4.9% vs MRTN's -8.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +23.4% | +32.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +61.1% | +20.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +15.6% | -23.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +37.5% | -5.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +160.3% | +143.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.9% | -8.5% |
KNX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MRTN is the less volatile stock with a 1.16 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KNX's 1.40 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.40x | 1.16x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $67.75 | $15.42 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $38.63 | $9.35 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.8% | +97.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.0 | 57.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.9M | 742K |
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — KNX and MRTN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KNX as "Buy" and MRTN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 49.4% upside for MRTN (target: $23) vs 1.3% for KNX (target: $65). For income investors, MRTN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.20% vs KNX's 1.12%.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $65.10 | $22.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 8 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.72 | $0.18 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — KNX and MRTN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MRTN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). KNX leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallMarten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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KNX vs MRTN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KNX or MRTN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) is the stronger pick with 0. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -8. 3% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) offers the better valuation at 71. 7x trailing P/E (54. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX) a "Buy" — based on 36 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — KNX or MRTN?
On trailing P/E, Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the cheapest at 71. 7x versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. at 156. 7x. On forward P/E, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is actually cheaper at 34. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KNX or MRTN?
Over the past 5 years, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) delivered a total return of +37. 5%, compared to -5. 1% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KNX returned +160. 3% versus MRTN's +143. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — KNX or MRTN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 16β versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. 's 1. 40β — meaning KNX is approximately 21% more volatile than MRTN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 41% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KNX or MRTN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) is pulling ahead at 0. 8% versus -8. 3% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Marten Transport, Ltd. grew EPS -36. 4% year-over-year, compared to -43. 8% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KNX leads at 0. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — KNX or MRTN?
Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 0% net margin versus 0. 9% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KNX leads at 3. 4% versus 1. 2% for MRTN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KNX leads at 28. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is KNX or MRTN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) trades at 34. 7x forward P/E versus 54. 1x for Marten Transport, Ltd. — 19. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MRTN: 49. 4% to $22. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — KNX or MRTN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 1. 1% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX).
09Is KNX or MRTN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 16), 1. 2% yield, +143. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MRTN: +143. 1%, KNX: +160. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between KNX and MRTN?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(KNX: 1.4% · MRTN: -8.8%)P/E Ratio<
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