KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$10.30B
5Y Perf.+52.4%
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Stock Comparison
KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD
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%
HTLD
Heartland Express, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.01B
5Y Perf.-40.7%
KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KNX | MRTN | WERN | HTLD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $10.30B | $1.24B | $2.18B | $1.01B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $7.50B | $884M | $2.97B | $806M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $34M | $17M | $-14M | $-52M |
| Gross Margin | 30.6% | 5.7% | 8.3% | -0.9% |
| Operating Margin | 2.9% | 1.2% | 1.9% | -7.7% |
| Forward P/E | 34.3x | 54.4x | 39.8x | — |
| Total Debt | $2.89B | $388K | $752M | $161M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $303M | $43M | $60M | $18M |
KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KNX
MRTN
WERN
HTLD
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 152.4 | +52.4% |
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 88.7 | -11.3% |
| Werner Enterprises,… (WERN) | 100 | 78.7 | -21.3% |
| Heartland Express, … (HTLD) | 100 | 59.3 | -40.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KNX and MRTN are tied at the top with 3 categories each — the right choice depends on your priorities. Marten Transport, Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. HTLD also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Growth Play
KNX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 0.8%, EPS growth -43.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.2%
- 156.2% 10Y total return vs MRTN's 144.8%
- 0.8% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1%
- Better valuation composite
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
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%
- Beta 1.16 vs KNX's 1.40, lower leverage
- 1.8% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 1.1% vs -4.8%
Best for: 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
Best for: income & stability and defensive
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
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 HTLD's -6.5% |
| Stability / Safety | MRTN | Beta 1.16 vs KNX's 1.40, lower leverage |
| Dividends | KNX | 1.1% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs WERN's 1.5% |
| 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% |
KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKNXLAGGINGHTLD
Who Leads Where
KNX leads in 2 of 6 categories
MRTN leads 2 • WERN leads 1 • HTLD leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓HTLDHeartland Express, In…
0leads
WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
1leads
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
2leads
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
MRTN2/2
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 — 9.3x 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, KNX holds the edge at +1.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $7.5B | $884M | $3.0B | $806M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.0B | $116M | $343M | $97M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $34M | $17M | -$14M | -$52M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.3B | -$51M | -$69M | -$67M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.6% | +5.7% | +8.3% | -0.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +2.9% | +1.2% | +1.9% | -7.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.5% | +2.0% | -0.5% | -6.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.8% | -5.8% | -2.3% | -8.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.4% | -8.8% | -2.3% | -26.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -104.3% | -34.4% | -3.4% | -9.6% |
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 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 KNX's 12.4x.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.3B | $1.2B | $2.2B | $1.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $12.9B | $1.2B | $2.9B | $1.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 154.71x | 72.10x | -151.58x | -19.37x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 34.28x | 54.36x | 39.79x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.41x | 10.26x | 8.07x | 11.80x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.38x | 1.40x | 0.73x | 1.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.46x | 1.61x | 1.59x | 1.34x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.50x | — | — | — |
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 $-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), KNX scores 6/9 vs HTLD's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +0.5% | +2.3% | -1.0% | -6.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.3% | +1.8% | -0.5% | -4.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.0% | +1.1% | +2.5% | -4.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.3% | +1.3% | +2.6% | -5.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.41x | 0.00x | 0.54x | 0.21x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.6B | -$43M | $692M | $143M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $303M | $43M | $60M | $18M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.9B | $388,000 | $752M | $161M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.36x | — | 0.47x | -4.93x |
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 | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +21.8% | +32.8% | +19.8% | +42.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +54.4% | +21.2% | +45.8% | +72.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +14.1% | -22.9% | -16.5% | -13.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.4% | -5.3% | -19.0% | -27.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +156.2% | +144.8% | +78.1% | -19.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.5% | -8.3% | -5.8% | -4.8% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 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 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 HTLD's 93.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.40x | 1.16x | 1.24x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $67.75 | $15.42 | $38.46 | $13.92 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $38.63 | $9.35 | $23.06 | $7.00 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.6% | +98.2% | +94.6% | +93.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.4 | 63.1 | 65.9 | 63.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.0M | 750K | 1.0M | 398K |
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — KNX and WERN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: KNX as "Buy", MRTN as "Hold", WERN as "Hold", HTLD 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 | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $65.10 | $22.50 | $36.10 | $12.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 13 | 36 | 22 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +1.2% | +1.5% | +0.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 8 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.72 | $0.18 | $0.56 | $0.08 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | +2.5% | +1.0% |
Evenly matched — KNX and WERN 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 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallKnight-Swift Transportation… (KNX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
KNX vs MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD 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 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 — KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD?
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 — KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD?
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 — KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 16β versus Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. 's 1. 40β — meaning KNX is approximately 21% 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 — KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD?
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 — KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD?
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 KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD 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 — KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD?
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 KNX or MRTN or WERN or HTLD 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 KNX and MRTN and WERN and HTLD?
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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(KNX: 1.4% · MRTN: -8.8%)P/E Ratio<
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