Marine Shipping
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MATX vs ZIM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Marine Shipping
MATX vs ZIM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Marine Shipping |
| Market Cap | $5.56B | $3.21B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.32B | $6.90B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $429M | $479M |
| Gross Margin | 18.4% | 16.8% |
| Operating Margin | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| Forward P/E | 13.1x | 6.7x |
| Total Debt | $727M | $5.74B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $142M | $1.05B |
MATX vs ZIM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jan 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matson, Inc. (MATX) | 100 | 305.6 | +205.6% |
| ZIM Integrated Ship… (ZIM) | 100 | 220.8 | +120.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MATX vs ZIM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MATX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth -2.3%, EPS growth -0.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -8.3%
- -2.3% revenue growth vs ZIM's -18.1%
- 12.9% margin vs ZIM's 6.9%
ZIM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.27, yield 16.1%
- 5.5% 10Y total return vs MATX's 484.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.27, current ratio 1.23x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -2.3% revenue growth vs ZIM's -18.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (6.7x vs 13.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 12.9% margin vs ZIM's 6.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.27 vs MATX's 1.65 | |
| Dividends | 0.8% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs ZIM's 16.1% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +100.7% vs MATX's +85.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 9.3% ROA vs ZIM's 4.3%, ROIC 10.8% vs 7.3% |
MATX vs ZIM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MATX vs ZIM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MATX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ZIM is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.9B annually — 2.1x MATX's $3.3B. MATX is the more profitable business, keeping 12.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ZIM's 6.9%. On growth, MATX holds the edge at -3.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.3B | $6.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $644M | $2.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $429M | $479M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $418M | $2.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +18.4% | +16.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | +12.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.9% | +6.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +29.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.1% | -31.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -15.1% | -93.1% |
Valuation Metrics
ZIM leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 6.7x trailing earnings, ZIM trades at a 49% valuation discount to MATX's 13.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ZIM's 3.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MATX's 7.7x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.6B | $3.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $6.1B | $7.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 13.17x | 6.69x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.07x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.51x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.72x | 3.70x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.66x | 0.46x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.06x | 0.80x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 36.16x | 1.99x |
Profitability & Efficiency
MATX leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MATX delivers a 15.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $16 in annual profit, vs $12 for ZIM. MATX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.26x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ZIM's 1.43x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MATX scores 5/9 vs ZIM's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +15.9% | +12.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.3% | +4.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.8% | +7.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.3% | +9.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.26x | 1.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $585M | $4.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $142M | $1.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $727M | $5.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 127.63x | 2.02x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MATX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MATX five years ago would be worth $29,394 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,438 for ZIM. Over the past 12 months, ZIM leads with a +100.7% total return vs MATX's +85.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MATX at 41.2% vs ZIM's 27.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +48.3% | +25.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +85.9% | +100.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +181.6% | +107.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +193.9% | +94.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +484.2% | +552.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +41.2% | +27.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MATX and ZIM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ZIM is the less volatile stock with a 1.27 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MATX's 1.65 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MATX currently trades 96.5% from its 52-week high vs ZIM's 88.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.65x | 1.27x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $189.28 | $29.97 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $86.97 | $12.33 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.5% | +88.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.8 | 46.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 269K | 1.8M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MATX and ZIM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MATX as "Buy" and ZIM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 4.0% upside for MATX (target: $190) vs -44.4% for ZIM (target: $15). For income investors, ZIM offers the higher dividend yield at 16.08% vs MATX's 0.79%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $190.00 | $14.80 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 6 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | +16.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 12 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.44 | $4.28 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +5.5% | 0.0% |
MATX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ZIM leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
MATX vs ZIM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MATX or ZIM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Matson, Inc.
(MATX) is the stronger pick with -2. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -18. 1% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM). ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) offers the better valuation at 6. 7x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Matson, Inc. (MATX) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — MATX or ZIM?
On trailing P/E, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
(ZIM) is the cheapest at 6. 7x versus Matson, Inc. at 13. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MATX or ZIM?
Over the past 5 years, Matson, Inc.
(MATX) delivered a total return of +193. 9%, compared to +94. 4% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ZIM returned +552. 4% versus MATX's +484. 2%. 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 — MATX or ZIM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
(ZIM) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 27β versus Matson, Inc. 's 1. 65β — meaning MATX is approximately 30% more volatile than ZIM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Matson, Inc. (MATX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 26% versus 143% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MATX or ZIM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Matson, Inc.
(MATX) is pulling ahead at -2. 3% versus -18. 1% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Matson, Inc. grew EPS -0. 4% year-over-year, compared to -77. 7% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MATX leads at -8. 3% 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 — MATX or ZIM?
Matson, Inc.
(MATX) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 3% net margin versus 6. 9% for ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. — meaning it keeps 13. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MATX leads at 14. 0% versus 12. 2% for ZIM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MATX leads at 22. 8%, 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 MATX or ZIM more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MATX: 4.
0% to $190. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — MATX or ZIM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) offers the highest yield at 16. 1%, versus 0. 8% for Matson, Inc. (MATX).
09Is MATX or ZIM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
(ZIM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 27), 16. 1% yield, +552. 4% 10Y return). Matson, Inc. (MATX) carries a higher beta of 1. 65 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ZIM: +552. 4%, MATX: +484. 2%), 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 MATX and ZIM?
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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