MATV vs FWRD

For growth investors, Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) is the stronger pick with 0.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 3% for Mativ Holdings, Inc. (MATV). Analysts rate Mativ Holdings, Inc. (MATV) a "Buy" — based on 7 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.

Over the past 5 years, Mativ Holdings, Inc.

(MATV) delivered a total return of -70. 2%, compared to -80. 2% for Forward Air Corporation (FWRD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MATV returned -32. 3% versus FWRD's -47. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Mativ Holdings, Inc.

(MATV) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 68β versus Forward Air Corporation's 2. 28β — meaning FWRD is approximately 36% more volatile than MATV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Mativ Holdings, Inc. (MATV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 13% for Forward Air Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) is pulling ahead at 0.

8% versus 0. 3% for Mativ Holdings, Inc. (MATV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Forward Air Corporation grew EPS 88. 3% year-over-year, compared to -587. 8% for Mativ Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FWRD leads at 14. 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.

Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) is the more profitable company, earning -4.

3% net margin versus -17. 0% for Mativ Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps -4. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MATV leads at 2. 4% versus 1. 5% for FWRD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FWRD leads at 20. 5%, 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.

In this comparison, MATV (4.

3% yield) pays a dividend. FWRD does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Mativ Holdings, Inc.

(MATV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (4. 3% yield). Forward Air Corporation (FWRD) carries a higher beta of 2. 28 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MATV: -32. 3%, FWRD: -47. 3%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (MATV (Basic Materials) and FWRD (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: MATV is a small-cap income-oriented stock; FWRD is a small-cap quality compounder stock. MATV pays a dividend while FWRD 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.