AIRT
Air T, Inc.
Integrated Freight & Logistics
Market Cap$68M
5Y Perf.+95.0%
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Stock Comparison
AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.24B
5Y Perf.-11.3%
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.01B
5Y Perf.-40.7%
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$2.18B
5Y Perf.-21.3%
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$10.30B
5Y Perf.+52.4%
AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | AIRT | MRTN | HTLD | WERN | KNX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Integrated Freight & Logistics | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $68M | $1.24B | $1.01B | $2.18B | $10.30B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $272M | $884M | $806M | $2.97B | $7.50B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-7M | $17M | $-52M | $-14M | $34M |
| Gross Margin | 20.0% | 5.7% | -0.9% | 8.3% | 30.6% |
| Operating Margin | -3.1% | 1.2% | -7.7% | 1.9% | 2.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 54.4x | — | 39.8x | 34.3x |
| Total Debt | $129M | $388K | $161M | $752M | $2.89B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $6M | $43M | $18M | $60M | $303M |
AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
AIRT
MRTN
HTLD
WERN
KNX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air T, Inc. (AIRT) | 100 | 195.0 | +95.0% |
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 88.7 | -11.3% |
| Heartland Express, … (HTLD) | 100 | 59.3 | -40.7% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 78.7 | -21.3% |
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 152.4 | +52.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AIRT and MRTN are tied at the top with 2 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. Marten Transport, Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and operational efficiency and capital deployment. HTLD, WERN, and KNX also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
AIRT
Air T, Inc.
The Growth Play
AIRT has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure.
- Rev growth 1.7%, EPS growth 7.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 18.1%
- 1.7% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1%
- Beta 0.05 vs KNX's 1.40
Best for: growth exposure
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Defensive Pick
MRTN is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if sleep-well-at-night is your priority.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.16, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 1.86x
- 2.0% margin vs HTLD's -6.5%
- 1.8% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 1.1% vs -4.8%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
The Momentum Pick
HTLD ranks third and is worth considering specifically for momentum.
- +72.8% vs MRTN's +21.2%
Best for: momentum
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
The Income Pick
WERN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.24, yield 1.5%
- Beta 1.24, yield 1.5%, current ratio 1.94x
- 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs KNX's 1.1%, (1 stock pays no dividend)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
KNX is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 156.2% 10Y total return vs MRTN's 144.8%
- Lower P/E (34.3x vs 39.8x)
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AIRT | 1.7% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1% |
| Value | KNX | Lower P/E (34.3x vs 39.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | MRTN | 2.0% margin vs HTLD's -6.5% |
| Stability / Safety | AIRT | Beta 0.05 vs KNX's 1.40 |
| Dividends | WERN | 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs KNX's 1.1%, (1 stock pays no dividend) |
| Momentum (1Y) | HTLD | +72.8% vs MRTN's +21.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MRTN | 1.8% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 1.1% vs -4.8% |
AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKNXLAGGINGWERN
Who Leads Where
KNX leads in 2 of 6 categories
MRTN leads 1 • AIRT leads 0 • HTLD leads 0 • WERN leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
0leads
HTLDHeartland Express, In…
0leads
AIRTAir T, Inc.
0leads
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
1leads
KNXKnight-Swift Transpor…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MRTNvs AIRTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KNX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MRTN5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KNX4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
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 — 27.5x AIRT's $272M. MRTN is the more profitable business, keeping 2.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HTLD's -6.5%. On growth, KNX holds the edge at +1.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | AIRTAir T, Inc. | MRTNMarten Transport,… | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $272M | $884M | $806M | $3.0B | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$3M | $116M | $97M | $343M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$7M | $17M | -$52M | -$14M | $34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$22M | -$51M | -$67M | -$69M | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +20.0% | +5.7% | -0.9% | +8.3% | +30.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -3.1% | +1.2% | -7.7% | +1.9% | +2.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.5% | +2.0% | -6.5% | -0.5% | +0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -8.2% | -5.8% | -8.3% | -2.3% | +17.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -8.7% | -8.8% | -26.1% | -2.3% | +1.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -93.6% | -34.4% | -9.6% | -3.4% | -104.3% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — AIRT and WERN each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 72.1x trailing earnings, MRTN trades at a 53% valuation discount to KNX's 154.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WERN's 8.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AIRT's 30.5x.
| Metric | AIRTAir T, Inc. | MRTNMarten Transport,… | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $68M | $1.2B | $1.0B | $2.2B | $10.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $191M | $1.2B | $1.1B | $2.9B | $12.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -10.09x | 72.10x | -19.37x | -151.58x | 154.71x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 54.36x | — | 39.79x | 34.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 30.55x | 10.26x | 11.80x | 8.07x | 12.41x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.23x | 1.40x | 1.25x | 0.73x | 1.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 11.18x | 1.61x | 1.34x | 1.59x | 1.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.72x | — | — | — | 13.50x |
Evenly matched — AIRT and WERN each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MRTN delivers a 2.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $2 in annual profit, vs $-115 for AIRT. MRTN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AIRT's 23.32x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AIRT scores 6/9 vs HTLD's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | AIRTAir T, Inc. | MRTNMarten Transport,… | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -114.6% | +2.3% | -6.7% | -1.0% | +0.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -1.8% | +1.8% | -4.1% | -0.5% | +0.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.1% | +1.1% | -4.8% | +2.5% | +2.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.5% | +1.3% | -5.4% | +2.6% | +2.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 23.32x | 0.00x | 0.21x | 0.54x | 0.41x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $123M | -$43M | $143M | $692M | $2.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $6M | $43M | $18M | $60M | $303M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $129M | $388,000 | $161M | $752M | $2.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.19x | — | -4.93x | 0.47x | 1.36x |
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KNX five years ago would be worth $13,435 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,237 for HTLD. Over the past 12 months, HTLD leads with a +72.8% total return vs MRTN's +21.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KNX at 4.5% vs MRTN's -8.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AIRTAir T, Inc. | MRTNMarten Transport,… | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +17.8% | +32.8% | +42.1% | +19.8% | +21.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +32.4% | +21.2% | +72.8% | +45.8% | +54.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.3% | -22.9% | -13.7% | -16.5% | +14.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1.8% | -5.3% | -27.6% | -19.0% | +34.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +32.1% | +144.8% | -19.6% | +78.1% | +156.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.6% | -8.3% | -4.8% | -5.8% | +4.5% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AIRT and MRTN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AIRT is the less volatile stock with a 0.05 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. MRTN currently trades 98.2% from its 52-week high vs AIRT's 84.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AIRTAir T, Inc. | MRTNMarten Transport,… | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.05x | 1.16x | 1.37x | 1.24x | 1.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $26.70 | $15.42 | $13.92 | $38.46 | $67.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $15.97 | $9.35 | $7.00 | $23.06 | $38.63 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.3% | +98.2% | +93.2% | +94.6% | +93.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.9 | 63.1 | 63.9 | 65.9 | 56.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2K | 750K | 398K | 1.0M | 3.0M |
Evenly matched — AIRT and MRTN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — WERN and KNX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: MRTN as "Hold", HTLD as "Hold", WERN as "Hold", KNX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 48.6% upside for MRTN (target: $23) vs -7.6% for HTLD (target: $12). For income investors, WERN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.55% vs HTLD's 0.62%.
| Metric | AIRTAir T, Inc. | MRTNMarten Transport,… | HTLDHeartland Express… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold | Hold | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $22.50 | $12.00 | $36.10 | $65.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 13 | 22 | 36 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.2% | +0.6% | +1.5% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.18 | $0.08 | $0.56 | $0.72 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.1% | 0.0% | +1.0% | +2.5% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — WERN and KNX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
KNX leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). MRTN leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 3 tied.
Best OverallKnight-Swift Transportation… (KNX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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AIRT vs MRTN vs HTLD vs WERN vs KNX: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Air T, Inc.
(AIRT) is the stronger pick with 1. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) offers the better valuation at 72. 1x trailing P/E (54. 4x 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 — AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX?
On trailing P/E, Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the cheapest at 72. 1x versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. at 154. 7x. On forward P/E, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is actually cheaper at 34. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX?
Over the past 5 years, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) delivered a total return of +34. 4%, compared to -27. 6% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KNX returned +156. 2% versus HTLD's -19. 6%. 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 — AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Air T, Inc.
(AIRT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 05β versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. 's 1. 40β — meaning KNX is approximately 2786% more volatile than AIRT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 23% for Air T, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Air T, Inc.
(AIRT) is pulling ahead at 1. 7% versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Air T, Inc. grew EPS 7. 9% year-over-year, compared to -143. 6% for Werner Enterprises, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AIRT leads at 18. 1% 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 — AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX?
Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 0% net margin versus -6. 5% for Heartland Express, 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 -7. 7% for HTLD. 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 AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) trades at 34. 3x forward P/E versus 54. 4x for Marten Transport, Ltd. — 20. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MRTN: 48. 6% to $22. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX?
In this comparison, WERN (1.
5% yield), MRTN (1. 2% yield), KNX (1. 1% yield), HTLD (0. 6% yield) pay a dividend. AIRT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is AIRT or MRTN or HTLD or WERN or KNX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Air T, Inc.
(AIRT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 05)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AIRT: +32. 1%, HTLD: -19. 6%), 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 AIRT and MRTN and HTLD and WERN and KNX?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
MRTN, HTLD, WERN, KNX pay a dividend while AIRT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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