HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.01B
5Y Perf.-40.7%
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Stock Comparison
HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.24B
5Y Perf.-11.3%
WERN
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$2.18B
5Y Perf.-21.3%
SNDR
Schneider National, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$5.37B
5Y Perf.+26.8%
HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HTLD | MRTN | WERN | SNDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $1.01B | $1.24B | $2.18B | $5.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $806M | $884M | $2.97B | $5.67B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-52M | $17M | $-14M | $98M |
| Gross Margin | -0.9% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 22.8% |
| Operating Margin | -7.7% | 1.2% | 1.9% | 2.8% |
| Forward P/E | — | 54.4x | 39.8x | 35.5x |
| Total Debt | $161M | $388K | $752M | $560M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $18M | $43M | $60M | $202M |
HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HTLD
MRTN
WERN
SNDR
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heartland Express, … (HTLD) | 100 | 59.3 | -40.7% |
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 88.7 | -11.3% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 78.7 | -21.3% |
| Schneider National,… (SNDR) | 100 | 126.8 | +26.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SNDR leads in 3 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. HTLD and WERN also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
The Momentum Pick
HTLD is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +72.8% vs MRTN's +21.2%
Best for: momentum
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Long-Run Compounder
MRTN is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night is your priority.
- 144.8% 10Y total return vs SNDR's 86.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.16, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 1.86x
- 2.0% margin vs HTLD's -6.5%
- Beta 1.16 vs HTLD's 1.37, lower leverage
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
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 HTLD's 0.6%
Best for: income & stability and defensive
SNDR
Schneider National, Inc.
The Growth Play
SNDR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 7.3%, EPS growth -10.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -4.9%
- 7.3% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1%
- Lower P/E (35.5x vs 39.8x)
- 2.0% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 3.7% vs -4.8%
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SNDR | 7.3% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1% |
| Value | SNDR | Lower P/E (35.5x vs 39.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | MRTN | 2.0% margin vs HTLD's -6.5% |
| Stability / Safety | MRTN | Beta 1.16 vs HTLD's 1.37, lower leverage |
| Dividends | WERN | 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs HTLD's 0.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HTLD | +72.8% vs MRTN's +21.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SNDR | 2.0% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 3.7% vs -4.8% |
HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSNDRLAGGINGHTLD
Who Leads Where
SNDR leads in 3 of 6 categories
WERN leads 2 • MRTN leads 1 • HTLD leads 0
Explore the data ↓HTLDHeartland Express, In…
0leads
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
1leads
WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
2leads
SNDRSchneider National, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WERNvs MRTNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SNDR5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WERN3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SNDR6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SNDR3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MRTN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
WERN2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SNDR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SNDR is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.7B annually — 7.0x HTLD's $806M. MRTN is the more profitable business, keeping 2.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HTLD's -6.5%. On growth, SNDR holds the edge at -0.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $806M | $884M | $3.0B | $5.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $97M | $116M | $343M | $608M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$52M | $17M | -$14M | $98M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$67M | -$51M | -$69M | $493M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -0.9% | +5.7% | +8.3% | +22.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -7.7% | +1.2% | +1.9% | +2.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -6.5% | +2.0% | -0.5% | +1.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -8.3% | -5.8% | -2.3% | +8.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -26.1% | -8.8% | -2.3% | -0.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.6% | -34.4% | -3.4% | -20.0% |
SNDR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 51.9x trailing earnings, SNDR trades at a 28% valuation discount to MRTN's 72.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WERN's 8.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HTLD's 11.8x.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.0B | $1.2B | $2.2B | $5.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.1B | $1.2B | $2.9B | $5.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -19.37x | 72.10x | -151.58x | 51.95x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 54.36x | 39.79x | 35.49x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.80x | 10.26x | 8.07x | 9.26x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.25x | 1.40x | 0.73x | 0.95x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.34x | 1.61x | 1.59x | 1.78x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 15.43x |
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SNDR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SNDR delivers a 3.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $-7 for HTLD. 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), SNDR scores 7/9 vs MRTN's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -6.7% | +2.3% | -1.0% | +3.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.1% | +1.8% | -0.5% | +2.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -4.8% | +1.1% | +2.5% | +3.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.4% | +1.3% | +2.6% | +3.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.21x | 0.00x | 0.54x | 0.19x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $143M | -$43M | $692M | $359M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $18M | $43M | $60M | $202M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $161M | $388,000 | $752M | $560M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -4.93x | — | 0.47x | 3.92x |
SNDR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SNDR leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SNDR five years ago would be worth $12,324 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 SNDR at 6.2% vs MRTN's -8.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +42.1% | +32.8% | +19.8% | +14.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +72.8% | +21.2% | +45.8% | +38.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.7% | -22.9% | -16.5% | +19.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -27.6% | -5.3% | -19.0% | +23.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -19.6% | +144.8% | +78.1% | +86.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.8% | -8.3% | -5.8% | +6.2% |
SNDR leads this category, winning 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 HTLD's 1.37 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 SNDR's 91.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HTLDHeartland Express… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.37x | 1.16x | 1.24x | 1.27x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $13.92 | $15.42 | $38.46 | $33.34 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.00 | $9.35 | $23.06 | $20.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.2% | +98.2% | +94.6% | +91.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.9 | 63.1 | 65.9 | 62.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 398K | 750K | 1.0M | 963K |
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: HTLD as "Hold", MRTN as "Hold", WERN as "Hold", SNDR as "Hold". 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 | HTLDHeartland Express… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.00 | $22.50 | $36.10 | $29.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 22 | 13 | 36 | 25 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.6% | +1.2% | +1.5% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.08 | $0.18 | $0.56 | $0.38 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.0% | 0.0% | +2.5% | +0.3% |
WERN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
SNDR leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). WERN leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallSchneider National, Inc. (SNDR)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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HTLD vs MRTN vs WERN vs SNDR: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Schneider National, Inc.
(SNDR) is the stronger pick with 7. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Schneider National, Inc. (SNDR) offers the better valuation at 51. 9x trailing P/E (35. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD) a "Hold" — based on 22 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 — HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR?
On trailing P/E, Schneider National, Inc.
(SNDR) is the cheapest at 51. 9x versus Marten Transport, Ltd. at 72. 1x. On forward P/E, Schneider National, Inc. is actually cheaper at 35. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR?
Over the past 5 years, Schneider National, Inc.
(SNDR) delivered a total return of +23. 2%, compared to -27. 6% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MRTN returned +144. 8% 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 — HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 16β versus Heartland Express, Inc. 's 1. 37β — meaning HTLD is approximately 18% 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 — HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Schneider National, Inc.
(SNDR) is pulling ahead at 7. 3% versus -23. 1% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Schneider National, Inc. grew EPS -10. 6% 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 — HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR?
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: SNDR leads at 3. 0% versus -7. 7% for HTLD. 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 HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Schneider National, Inc.
(SNDR) trades at 35. 5x forward P/E versus 54. 4x for Marten Transport, Ltd. — 18. 9x 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 — HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 0. 6% for Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD).
09Is HTLD or MRTN or WERN or SNDR 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, +144. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MRTN: +144. 8%, 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 HTLD and MRTN and WERN and SNDR?
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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