MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.23B
5Y Perf.-11.7%
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Stock Comparison
MRTN vs WERN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$2.18B
5Y Perf.-21.2%
MRTN vs WERN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MRTN | WERN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $1.23B | $2.18B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $884M | $2.97B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $17M | $-14M |
| Gross Margin | 5.7% | 8.3% |
| Operating Margin | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Forward P/E | 54.1x | 39.8x |
| Total Debt | $388K | $752M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $43M | $60M |
MRTN vs WERN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MRTN
WERN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 88.3 | -11.7% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 78.8 | -21.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MRTN vs WERN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: WERN 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.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Long-Run Compounder
MRTN is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 143.1% 10Y total return vs WERN's 76.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.16, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 1.86x
- 2.0% margin vs WERN's -0.5%
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
The Income Pick
WERN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.24, yield 1.5%
- Rev growth -1.8%, EPS growth -143.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -3.3%
- Beta 1.24, yield 1.5%, current ratio 1.94x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | WERN | -1.8% revenue growth vs MRTN's -8.3% |
| Value | WERN | Lower P/E (39.8x vs 54.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | MRTN | 2.0% margin vs WERN's -0.5% |
| Stability / Safety | MRTN | Beta 1.16 vs WERN's 1.24, lower leverage |
| Dividends | WERN | 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs MRTN's 1.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WERN | +46.8% vs MRTN's +20.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MRTN | 1.8% ROA vs WERN's -0.5%, ROIC 1.1% vs 2.5% |
MRTN vs WERN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
MRTN vs WERN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLWERNLAGGINGMRTN
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
2leads
WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MRTNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
WERN4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WERN5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MRTN5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MRTN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
WERN2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WERN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WERN is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.0B annually — 3.4x MRTN's $884M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.0% (MRTN) to -0.5% (WERN). On growth, WERN holds the edge at -2.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $884M | $3.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $116M | $343M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $17M | -$14M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$51M | -$69M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +5.7% | +8.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +1.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.0% | -0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -5.8% | -2.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -8.8% | -2.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -34.4% | -3.4% |
WERN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WERN leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, WERN's 8.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MRTN's 10.2x.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.2B | $2.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.2B | $2.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 71.71x | -151.67x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 54.08x | 39.82x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.20x | 8.07x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.39x | 0.73x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.60x | 1.59x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
WERN leads this category, winning 5 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 $-1 for WERN. MRTN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WERN's 0.54x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WERN scores 5/9 vs MRTN's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.3% | -1.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.8% | -0.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.1% | +2.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.3% | +2.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.54x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$43M | $692M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $43M | $60M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $388,000 | $752M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 0.47x |
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — MRTN and WERN each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MRTN five years ago would be worth $9,494 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,167 for WERN. Over the past 12 months, WERN leads with a +46.8% total return vs MRTN's +20.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WERN at -5.8% vs MRTN's -8.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.1% | +19.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +20.6% | +46.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -23.3% | -16.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.1% | -18.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +143.1% | +76.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -8.5% | -5.8% |
Evenly matched — MRTN and WERN each lead in 3 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 WERN's 1.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MRTN currently trades 97.7% from its 52-week high vs WERN's 94.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.16x | 1.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.42 | $38.46 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.35 | $23.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.7% | +94.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.5 | 58.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 742K | 1.0M |
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MRTN as "Hold" and WERN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 49.4% upside for MRTN (target: $23) vs -0.8% for WERN (target: $36). For income investors, WERN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.54% vs MRTN's 1.20%.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $22.50 | $36.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.18 | $0.56 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.5% |
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
WERN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). MRTN leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallWerner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MRTN vs WERN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MRTN or WERN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Werner Enterprises, Inc.
(WERN) is the stronger pick with -1. 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 Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) a "Hold" — based on 13 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 — MRTN or WERN?
On forward P/E, Werner Enterprises, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 39. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MRTN or WERN?
Over the past 5 years, Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) delivered a total return of -5. 1%, compared to -18. 3% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MRTN returned +143. 1% versus WERN's +76. 0%. 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 — MRTN or WERN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 16β versus Werner Enterprises, Inc. 's 1. 24β — meaning WERN is approximately 7% 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 54% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MRTN or WERN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Werner Enterprises, Inc.
(WERN) is pulling ahead at -1. 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 -143. 6% for Werner Enterprises, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WERN leads at -3. 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 — MRTN or WERN?
Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 0% net margin versus -0. 5% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WERN leads at 2. 3% versus 1. 2% for MRTN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WERN leads at 5. 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 MRTN or WERN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Werner Enterprises, Inc.
(WERN) trades at 39. 8x forward P/E versus 54. 1x for Marten Transport, Ltd. — 14. 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 — MRTN or WERN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 1. 2% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN).
09Is MRTN or WERN 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%, WERN: +76. 0%), 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 MRTN and WERN?
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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