MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.24B
5Y Perf.-11.3%
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Stock Comparison
MRTN vs KNX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$10.30B
5Y Perf.+52.4%
MRTN vs KNX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MRTN | KNX |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $1.24B | $10.30B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $884M | $7.50B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $17M | $34M |
| Gross Margin | 5.7% | 30.6% |
| Operating Margin | 1.2% | 2.9% |
| Forward P/E | 54.4x | 34.3x |
| Total Debt | $388K | $2.89B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $43M | $303M |
MRTN vs KNX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MRTN
KNX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marten Transport, L… (MRTN) | 100 | 88.7 | -11.3% |
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 152.4 | +52.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MRTN vs KNX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MRTN leads in 4 of 7 categories, 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. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Income Pick
MRTN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.16, yield 1.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.16, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 1.86x
- Beta 1.16, yield 1.2%, current ratio 1.86x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Growth Play
KNX is the clearest fit if your priority is 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 MRTN's -8.3%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KNX | 0.8% revenue growth vs MRTN's -8.3% |
| Value | KNX | Lower P/E (34.3x vs 54.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | MRTN | 2.0% margin vs KNX's 0.5% |
| Stability / Safety | MRTN | Beta 1.16 vs KNX's 1.40, lower leverage |
| Dividends | MRTN | 1.2% yield, vs KNX's 1.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | KNX | +54.4% vs MRTN's +21.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MRTN | 1.8% ROA vs KNX's 0.3%, ROIC 1.1% vs 2.0% |
MRTN vs KNX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
MRTN vs KNX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKNXLAGGINGMRTN
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
2leads
KNXKnight-Swift Transpor…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MRTNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KNX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
KNX3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MRTN5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KNX5/6
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 — 8.5x MRTN's $884M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.0% (MRTN) to 0.5% (KNX). On growth, KNX holds the edge at +1.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $884M | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $116M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $17M | $34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$51M | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +5.7% | +30.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +2.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.0% | +0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -5.8% | +17.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -8.8% | +1.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -34.4% | -104.3% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
KNX 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, MRTN's 10.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KNX's 12.4x.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.2B | $10.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.2B | $12.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 72.10x | 154.71x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 54.36x | 34.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.26x | 12.41x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.40x | 1.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.61x | 1.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 13.50x |
KNX leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MRTN delivers a 2.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $2 in annual profit, vs $0 for KNX. MRTN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KNX's 0.41x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KNX scores 6/9 vs MRTN's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.3% | +0.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.8% | +0.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.1% | +2.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.3% | +2.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.41x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$43M | $2.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $43M | $303M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $388,000 | $2.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 1.36x |
MRTN leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KNX leads this category, winning 5 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 $9,475 for MRTN. Over the past 12 months, KNX leads with a +54.4% 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 | MRTNMarten Transport,… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.8% | +21.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +21.2% | +54.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -22.9% | +14.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.3% | +34.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +144.8% | +156.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -8.3% | +4.5% |
KNX leads this category, winning 5 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 KNX's 93.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.16x | 1.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.42 | $67.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.35 | $38.63 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.2% | +93.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.1 | 56.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 750K | 3.0M |
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MRTN and KNX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MRTN as "Hold" and KNX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 48.6% upside for MRTN (target: $23) vs 2.6% for KNX (target: $65). For income investors, MRTN offers the higher dividend yield at 1.19% vs KNX's 1.14%.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $22.50 | $65.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.18 | $0.72 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — MRTN and KNX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
KNX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). MRTN leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallKnight-Swift Transportation… (KNX)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
MRTN vs KNX: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MRTN 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 -8. 3% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). 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 — MRTN 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 — MRTN or KNX?
Over the past 5 years, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) delivered a total return of +34. 4%, compared to -5. 3% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KNX returned +156. 2% versus MRTN's +144. 8%. 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 — MRTN or KNX?
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 41% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MRTN or KNX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
(KNX) is pulling ahead at 0. 8% versus -8. 3% for Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Marten Transport, Ltd. grew EPS -36. 4% year-over-year, compared to -43. 8% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings 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 — MRTN or KNX?
Marten Transport, Ltd.
(MRTN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 0% net margin versus 0. 9% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings 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 1. 2% for MRTN. 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 MRTN 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 — MRTN or KNX?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 1. 1% for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX).
09Is MRTN or KNX 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%, KNX: +156. 2%), 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 MRTN 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.
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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Revenue Growth>
%
(MRTN: -8.8% · KNX: 1.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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