MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
Trucking
Market Cap$1.24B
5Y Perf.-11.3%
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Stock Comparison
MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
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%
SNDR
Schneider National, Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$5.37B
5Y Perf.+26.8%
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
Trucking
Market Cap$10.30B
5Y Perf.+52.4%
MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MRTN | WERN | HTLD | SNDR | KNX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $1.24B | $2.18B | $1.01B | $5.37B | $10.30B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $884M | $2.97B | $806M | $5.67B | $7.50B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $17M | $-14M | $-52M | $98M | $34M |
| Gross Margin | 5.7% | 8.3% | -0.9% | 22.8% | 30.6% |
| Operating Margin | 1.2% | 1.9% | -7.7% | 2.8% | 2.9% |
| Forward P/E | 54.4x | 39.8x | — | 35.5x | 34.3x |
| Total Debt | $388K | $752M | $161M | $560M | $2.89B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $43M | $60M | $18M | $202M | $303M |
MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MRTN
WERN
HTLD
SNDR
KNX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Schneider National,… (SNDR) | 100 | 126.8 | +26.8% |
| Knight-Swift Transp… (KNX) | 100 | 152.4 | +52.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MRTN and SNDR are tied at the top with 2 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. Schneider National, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and operational efficiency and capital deployment. WERN, HTLD, and KNX also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MRTN
Marten Transport, Ltd.
The Defensive Pick
MRTN has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in sleep-well-at-night.
- 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
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 1.24, yield 1.5%
- Beta 1.24, yield 1.5%, current ratio 1.94x
- 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs KNX's 1.1%
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
SNDR
Schneider National, Inc.
The Growth Play
SNDR is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 7.3%, EPS growth -10.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -4.9%
- 7.3% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1%
- 2.0% ROA vs HTLD's -4.1%, ROIC 3.7% vs -4.8%
Best for: growth exposure
KNX
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
KNX is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 156.2% 10Y total return vs MRTN's 144.8%
- Lower P/E (34.3x vs 35.5x)
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SNDR | 7.3% revenue growth vs HTLD's -23.1% |
| Value | KNX | Lower P/E (34.3x vs 35.5x) |
| 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 | WERN | 1.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs KNX's 1.1% |
| 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% |
MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMRTNLAGGINGHTLD
Who Leads Where
KNX leads in 1 of 6 categories
WERN leads 1 • SNDR leads 1 • MRTN leads 1 • HTLD leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓HTLDHeartland Express, In…
0leads
KNXKnight-Swift Transpor…
1leads
SNDRSchneider National, I…
1leads
WERNWerner Enterprises, I…
1leads
MRTNMarten Transport, Ltd.
1leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WERNvs SNDRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KNX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WERN3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SNDR6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
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 | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $884M | $3.0B | $806M | $5.7B | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $116M | $343M | $97M | $608M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $17M | -$14M | -$52M | $98M | $34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$51M | -$69M | -$67M | $493M | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +5.7% | +8.3% | -0.9% | +22.8% | +30.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +1.9% | -7.7% | +2.8% | +2.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.0% | -0.5% | -6.5% | +1.7% | +0.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -5.8% | -2.3% | -8.3% | +8.7% | +17.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -8.8% | -2.3% | -26.1% | -0.2% | +1.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -34.4% | -3.4% | -9.6% | -20.0% | -104.3% |
KNX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 51.9x trailing earnings, SNDR trades at a 66% 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 | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.2B | $2.2B | $1.0B | $5.4B | $10.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.2B | $2.9B | $1.1B | $5.7B | $12.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 72.10x | -151.58x | -19.37x | 51.95x | 154.71x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 54.36x | 39.79x | — | 35.49x | 34.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.26x | 8.07x | 11.80x | 9.26x | 12.41x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.40x | 0.73x | 1.25x | 0.95x | 1.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.61x | 1.59x | 1.34x | 1.78x | 1.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 15.43x | 13.50x |
WERN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 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 HTLD's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.3% | -1.0% | -6.7% | +3.2% | +0.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.8% | -0.5% | -4.1% | +2.0% | +0.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.1% | +2.5% | -4.8% | +3.7% | +2.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.3% | +2.6% | -5.4% | +3.9% | +2.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.54x | 0.21x | 0.19x | 0.41x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$43M | $692M | $143M | $359M | $2.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $43M | $60M | $18M | $202M | $303M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $388,000 | $752M | $161M | $560M | $2.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 0.47x | -4.93x | 3.92x | 1.36x |
SNDR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — HTLD and SNDR and KNX each lead in 2 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 SNDR at 6.2% vs MRTN's -8.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.8% | +19.8% | +42.1% | +14.0% | +21.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +21.2% | +45.8% | +72.8% | +38.5% | +54.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -22.9% | -16.5% | -13.7% | +19.9% | +14.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.3% | -19.0% | -27.6% | +23.2% | +34.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +144.8% | +78.1% | -19.6% | +86.1% | +156.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -8.3% | -5.8% | -4.8% | +6.2% | +4.5% |
Evenly matched — HTLD and SNDR and KNX each lead in 2 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 SNDR's 91.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.16x | 1.24x | 1.37x | 1.27x | 1.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.42 | $38.46 | $13.92 | $33.34 | $67.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.35 | $23.06 | $7.00 | $20.11 | $38.63 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.2% | +94.6% | +93.2% | +91.9% | +93.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.1 | 65.9 | 63.9 | 62.5 | 56.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 750K | 1.0M | 398K | 963K | 3.0M |
MRTN leads this category, winning 2 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", SNDR as "Hold", KNX as "Buy". 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 | MRTNMarten Transport,… | WERNWerner Enterprise… | HTLDHeartland Express… | SNDRSchneider Nationa… | KNXKnight-Swift Tran… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $22.50 | $36.10 | $12.00 | $29.67 | $65.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 36 | 22 | 25 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +1.5% | +0.6% | +1.2% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.18 | $0.56 | $0.08 | $0.38 | $0.72 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.5% | +1.0% | +0.3% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — WERN and KNX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
KNX leads in 1 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow). WERN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallMarten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN)Leads 1 of 6 categories
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MRTN vs WERN vs HTLD vs SNDR vs KNX: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MRTN or WERN or HTLD or SNDR or KNX 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 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 WERN or HTLD or SNDR or KNX?
On trailing P/E, Schneider National, Inc.
(SNDR) is the cheapest at 51. 9x 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 WERN or HTLD or SNDR or KNX?
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 — MRTN or WERN or HTLD or SNDR 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 54% for Werner Enterprises, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MRTN or WERN or HTLD or SNDR or KNX?
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, 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 WERN or HTLD or SNDR or KNX?
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 MRTN or WERN or HTLD or SNDR 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 WERN or HTLD or SNDR or KNX?
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 MRTN or WERN or HTLD or SNDR 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%, 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 MRTN and WERN and HTLD and SNDR 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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