ETS
Elite Express Holding Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$9M
5Y Perf.-30.8%
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Stock Comparison
ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.21B
5Y Perf.-13.3%
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$2.05B
5Y Perf.-26.2%
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$956M
5Y Perf.-43.7%
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$9.73B
5Y Perf.+43.9%
ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ETS | MRTN | WERN | HTLD | KNX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $9M | $1.21B | $2.05B | $956M | $9.73B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2M | $884M | $2.97B | $806M | $7.50B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-208K | $17M | $-14M | $-52M | $34M |
| Gross Margin | 7.1% | 5.7% | 8.3% | -0.9% | 30.6% |
| Operating Margin | -7.8% | 1.2% | 1.9% | -7.7% | 2.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 53.1x | 37.3x | — | 32.4x |
| Total Debt | $647K | $388K | $752M | $161M | $2.89B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $55K | $43M | $60M | $18M | $303M |
ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ETS
MRTN
WERN
HTLD
KNX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 86.7 | -13.3% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 73.8 | -26.2% |
| Heartland Express, … (HTLD) | 100 | 56.3 | -43.7% |
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 143.9 | +43.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MRTN leads in 3 of 7 categories (5-stock set), making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. WERN and HTLD also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ETS
Elite Express Holding Inc.
The Lower-Volatility Pick
Among these 5 stocks, ETS doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: industrials exposure
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Defensive Pick
MRTN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.16, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 1.86x
- 2.0% margin vs ETS's -8.6%
- Beta 1.16 vs KNX's 1.36, lower leverage
- 1.8% ROA vs ETS's -28.8%, ROIC 1.1% vs -22.5%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
The Income Pick
WERN ranks third and is worth considering specifically for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.22, yield 1.6%
- Beta 1.22, yield 1.6%, current ratio 1.94x
- 1.6% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs KNX's 1.2%, (1 stock pays no dividend)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
The Momentum Pick
HTLD is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +39.4% vs ETS's -84.2%
Best for: momentum
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Growth Play
KNX is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Rev growth 0.8%, EPS growth -43.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.2%
- 142.4% 10Y total return vs MRTN's 138.8%
- 0.8% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1%
- Better valuation composite
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KNX | 0.8% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1% |
| Value | KNX | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | MRTN | 2.0% margin vs ETS's -8.6% |
| Stability / Safety | MRTN | Beta 1.16 vs KNX's 1.36, lower leverage |
| Dividends | WERN | 1.6% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs KNX's 1.2%, (1 stock pays no dividend) |
| Momentum (1Y) | HTLD | +39.4% vs ETS's -84.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MRTN | 1.8% ROA vs ETS's -28.8%, ROIC 1.1% vs -22.5% |
ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKNXLAGGINGHTLD
Who Leads Where
KNX leads in 2 of 6 categories
WERN leads 1 • MRTN leads 1 • ETS leads 0 • HTLD leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓HTLDHeartland Express, In…
0leads
ETSElite Express Holding…
0leads
WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
1leads
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
1leads
KNXKnight-Swift Transpor…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MRTNvs WERNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KNX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WERN3/5
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 — 3089.6x ETS's $2M. MRTN is the more profitable business, keeping 2.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ETS's -8.6%. On growth, KNX holds the edge at +1.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ETSElite Express Hol… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2M | $884M | $3.0B | $806M | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | — | $116M | $343M | $97M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | — | $17M | -$14M | -$52M | $34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | — | -$51M | -$69M | -$67M | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +7.1% | +5.7% | +8.3% | -0.9% | +30.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -7.8% | +1.2% | +1.9% | -7.7% | +2.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -8.6% | +2.0% | -0.5% | -6.5% | +0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | -5.8% | -2.3% | -8.3% | +17.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -8.8% | -2.3% | -26.1% | +1.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -34.4% | -3.4% | -9.6% | -104.3% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 70.4x trailing earnings, MRTN trades at a 52% valuation discount to KNX's 146.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WERN's 7.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ETS's 239.1x.
| Metric | ETSElite Express Hol… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $9M | $1.2B | $2.0B | $956M | $9.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10M | $1.2B | $2.7B | $1.1B | $12.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -44.34x | 70.43x | -142.17x | -18.42x | 146.09x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 53.11x | 37.32x | — | 32.37x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 239.13x | 10.01x | 7.69x | 11.29x | 11.85x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.82x | 1.37x | 0.69x | 1.19x | 1.30x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 231.83x | 1.57x | 1.49x | 1.27x | 1.38x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | — | 12.75x |
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 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 $-5 for ETS. MRTN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ETS's 16.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ETS scores 6/9 vs HTLD's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ETSElite Express Hol… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.2% | +2.3% | -1.0% | -6.7% | +0.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -28.8% | +1.8% | -0.5% | -4.1% | +0.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -22.5% | +1.1% | +2.5% | -4.8% | +2.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -41.1% | +1.3% | +2.6% | -5.4% | +2.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 16.20x | 0.00x | 0.54x | 0.21x | 0.41x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $592,611 | -$43M | $692M | $143M | $2.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $54,712 | $43M | $60M | $18M | $303M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $647,323 | $388,000 | $752M | $161M | $2.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -6.33x | — | 0.47x | -4.93x | 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 $13,107 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,584 for ETS. Over the past 12 months, HTLD leads with a +39.4% total return vs ETS's -84.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KNX at 2.6% vs ETS's -45.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ETSElite Express Hol… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +9.1% | +29.7% | +12.4% | +35.1% | +15.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -84.2% | +7.7% | +23.1% | +39.4% | +29.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.2% | -25.0% | -21.4% | -17.0% | +8.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.2% | -3.6% | -21.8% | -27.4% | +31.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.2% | +138.8% | +71.1% | -22.9% | +142.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -45.9% | -9.2% | -7.7% | -6.0% | +2.6% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ETS and MRTN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ETS is the less volatile stock with a -0.58 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KNX's 1.36 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MRTN currently trades 93.4% from its 52-week high vs ETS's 13.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ETSElite Express Hol… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.58x | 1.16x | 1.22x | 1.33x | 1.36x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $4.23 | $15.84 | $38.46 | $13.92 | $67.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.39 | $9.35 | $23.06 | $7.00 | $38.63 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +13.1% | +93.4% | +88.7% | +88.6% | +88.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.8 | 58.2 | 58.7 | 55.9 | 48.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 74K | 760K | 1.0M | 389K | 2.9M |
Evenly matched — ETS 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", WERN as "Hold", HTLD as "Hold", KNX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 52.1% upside for MRTN (target: $23) vs 5.3% for HTLD (target: $13). For income investors, WERN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.65% vs HTLD's 0.65%.
| Metric | ETSElite Express Hol… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold | Hold | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $22.50 | $36.10 | $13.00 | $65.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 13 | 36 | 22 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.2% | +1.6% | +0.6% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.18 | $0.56 | $0.08 | $0.72 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | 0.0% | +2.7% | +1.1% | 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). WERN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallKnight-Swift Transportation… (KNX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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ETS vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs KNX: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX 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 -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) offers the better valuation at 70. 4x trailing P/E (53. 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 — ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX?
On trailing P/E, Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the cheapest at 70. 4x versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. at 146. 1x. On forward P/E, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. is actually cheaper at 32. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX?
Over the past 5 years, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) delivered a total return of +31. 1%, compared to -84. 2% for Elite Express Holding Inc. (ETS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KNX returned +142. 4% versus ETS's -84. 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 — ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Elite Express Holding Inc.
(ETS) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 58β versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. 's 1. 36β — meaning KNX is approximately -333% more volatile than ETS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 16% for Elite Express Holding Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) is pulling ahead at 0. 8% versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). 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, 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 — ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX?
Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 0% net margin versus -8. 6% for Elite Express Holding 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. 8% for ETS. 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 ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) trades at 32. 4x forward P/E versus 53. 1x for Marten Transport, Ltd. — 20. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MRTN: 52. 1% to $22. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX?
In this comparison, WERN (1.
6% yield), MRTN (1. 2% yield), KNX (1. 2% yield), HTLD (0. 6% yield) pay a dividend. ETS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is ETS or MRTN or WERN or HTLD or KNX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Elite Express Holding Inc.
(ETS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 58)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ETS: -84. 2%, HTLD: -22. 9%), 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 ETS and MRTN and WERN and HTLD 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, WERN, HTLD, KNX pay a dividend while ETS 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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