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Knight Transportation (KNX)
NYSE:KNX

Knight Transportation (KNX) AI Stock Analysis

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Knight Transportation

(NYSE:KNX)

Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
$46.00
▲( 7.43% Upside)
Knight Transportation is financially stable with a solid equity base and cash flow generation. However, high P/E ratio suggests overvaluation and external market uncertainties impact forward guidance. Technical indicators show mixed signals with short-term strength but long-term challenges. Recent board appointment is a strategic positive.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Knight Transportation reported 1Q results that were better than estimates with higher EPS than anticipated.
Market Position
Despite the reduction in guidance, Knight Transportation is considered best-positioned to outperform peers and benefit from a recovery in the TL market.
Operational Efficiency
Knight effectively controlled costs during the quarter and improved asset utilization while generating year-over-year revenue per loaded mile growth for the first time in 10 quarters.
Negative Factors
Guidance Reduction
Management reduced 2Q25 guidance and declined to give guidance beyond that due to prevailing market and trade policy uncertainty.
Import Reduction
The guidance reduction was attributed to expected reductions in imports in May and June, which negatively impact demand and seasonality.
Trade Policy Impact
The fluid trade policy has stalled momentum in its annual contracting bid season.

Knight Transportation (KNX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Knight Transportation Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKnight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides truckload transportation services in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The company operates through four segments: Trucking, Logistics, Less-than-truckload (LTL), and Intermodal. Its trucking services include irregular route, dedicated, refrigerated, flatbed, expedited, dry van, drayage, and cross-border transportation of various products, goods, and materials. The company also provides logistics and intermodal services, such as brokerage, intermodal, and certain logistics; freight management; and non-trucking services. In addition, it offers various support services, including repair and maintenance shop services, warranty, insurance, and equipment leasing; and trailer parts manufacturing and warehousing services, as well as engages in the driving academy activities. In addition, it offers regional direct services to customers national transportation needs by utilizing carriers for coverage areas outside networks. The company operates a total of 18,019 tractors, which comprises 16,166 company tractors and 1,853 independent contractor tractors, as well as 67,606 trailers; 2,735 tractors and 7,413 trailers; and 597 tractors and 10,847 intermodal containers. It serves retail, food and beverage, consumer products, paper products, transportation and logistics, housing and building, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
How the Company Makes MoneyKnight Transportation generates revenue primarily through its truckload transportation services, which include dry van, refrigerated, and dedicated trucking. The company earns money by charging clients for transporting goods over long distances using its fleet of trucks. Revenue streams are bolstered by the company's operational efficiency and ability to manage logistics effectively. Additionally, Knight Transportation benefits from strategic partnerships and contracts with major shippers, ensuring a steady flow of business. Other contributing factors to its earnings include fuel surcharge programs and ancillary services such as logistics and brokerage solutions.

Knight Transportation Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Knight Transportation demonstrates stable financials with consistent revenue and cash flow generation. The company has a strong equity base and prudent debt management, though profitability and ROE could be improved. In a challenging trucking industry, Knight Transportation is resilient in its core operations, but there is room for enhanced profitability and shareholder returns.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Knight Transportation's income statement showcases solid gross and net profit margins with a Gross Profit Margin of 18.2% and a Net Profit Margin of 2.0% for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). Revenue growth appears stable, with a slight increase from the previous year, indicating consistent business performance. EBIT and EBITDA margins reflect steady operational efficiency, though there is a noticeable decline in EBIT margin from previous years. Overall, the income statement reflects a stable yet not exceptional profitability trajectory in a competitive trucking industry.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a stable financial position with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19, suggesting prudent financial leverage. Return on Equity (ROE) for TTM is modest at 2.1%, which is quite low and shows room for improvement in generating returns for shareholders. The Equity Ratio stands strong at 56.4%, indicating a robust equity base relative to total assets, providing a cushion against liabilities. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a sound financial structure but with modest shareholder returns.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Cash flow analysis shows a Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio of 0.81 for TTM, indicating a robust cash generation relative to net income, though the Free Cash Flow Growth Rate shows volatility over the years. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is high at 5.77, highlighting strong cash conversion efficiency. However, capital expenditures have been significant, impacting free cash flow. The cash flow statement presents a stable cash-generating capability but with potential pressure from capital investments.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
7.41B7.41B7.14B7.43B6.00B4.67B
Gross Profit
979.80M1.03B1.25B1.77B1.41B969.12M
EBIT
295.11M243.39M338.15M412.30M418.18M76.28M
EBITDA
1.04B1.11B1.13B1.77B1.62B1.17B
Net Income Common Stockholders
150.90M117.63M217.15M771.33M743.39M410.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
344.63M218.26M168.54M196.77M261.00M156.70M
Total Assets
12.61B12.70B12.87B10.95B10.66B8.47B
Total Debt
3.21B3.28B3.20B2.09B2.24B817.08M
Net Debt
3.00B3.06B3.03B1.89B1.98B660.38M
Total Liabilities
5.48B5.58B5.77B4.00B4.11B2.60B
Stockholders Equity
7.11B7.11B7.09B6.95B6.53B5.87B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
121.92M-20.09M90.06M635.29M656.06M398.58M
Operating Cash Flow
871.22M799.06M1.16B1.44B1.19B919.64M
Investing Cash Flow
-673.59M-759.12M-1.23B-646.18M-1.82B-480.71M
Financing Cash Flow
-193.48M-139.40M150.69M-754.35M779.33M-443.88M

Knight Transportation Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price42.82
Price Trends
50DMA
42.40
Positive
100DMA
47.70
Negative
200DMA
50.52
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.69
Negative
RSI
48.50
Neutral
STOCH
8.33
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KNX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 42.82 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 42.86, above the 50-day MA of 42.40, and below the 200-day MA of 50.52, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.69 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 48.50 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 8.33 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KNX.

Knight Transportation Risk Analysis

Knight Transportation disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Knight Transportation reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 2 New Risks
1.
We may change our dividend policy at any time. Q4, 2024
2.
Global conflicts could adversely impact our business and financial results. Q4, 2024

Knight Transportation Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$1.42B8.2014.25%0.76%-5.69%51.78%
72
Outperform
$7.14B22.3614.63%8.95%-13.23%
65
Neutral
$4.12B33.234.20%1.62%-0.30%-20.76%
64
Neutral
$4.39B11.815.20%249.38%3.96%-12.36%
KNKNX
63
Neutral
$7.05B46.782.13%1.52%1.16%36.33%
63
Neutral
$1.06B48.962.83%1.83%-13.47%-62.49%
50
Neutral
$1.62B91.851.21%2.14%-7.66%-78.26%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KNX
Knight Transportation
42.82
-4.26
-9.05%
MRTN
Marten Transport
12.99
-4.40
-25.30%
SAIA
Saia
264.32
-135.68
-33.92%
WERN
Werner Enterprises
25.76
-10.80
-29.54%
ARCB
ArcBest
60.77
-44.86
-42.47%
SNDR
Schneider National
23.53
1.58
7.20%

Knight Transportation Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 23, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.16%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 16, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mix of positive financial performance indicators such as significant growth in adjusted operating income and LTL revenue, alongside challenges brought by external factors like trade policy uncertainty and a decline in truckload revenue.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Improved Adjusted Operating Income
Adjusted operating income improved by 68.2% or $35.1 million year over year.
Truckload Segment Improvement
Truckload segment saw a 59.7% increase in adjusted operating income despite a revenue decline.
LTL Growth
LTL business grew revenue excluding fuel surcharge by 26.7% year over year with shipments per day increasing 24.2%.
Logistics Revenue Growth
Logistics revenue increased 11.8% year over year as revenue per load increased 11.7%.
Cost Reduction Efforts
Implemented cost measures including selling underutilized tractors and trailers, investing in new technology, and reducing overhead costs.
Negative Updates
Truckload Revenue Decline
Truckload revenue excluding fuel surcharge for the first quarter decreased 4.2% driven by a 5.4% decline in loaded miles.
Challenges with Tariff and Trade Policies
Talks of tariffs and food trade policy have led to increased uncertainty among shippers, impacting volumes and rate negotiations.
Intermodal Market Pressure
Intermodal market saw increased competition and some deteriorating demand, affecting bid season outcomes.
Guidance Reduction
Guidance for the second quarter was reduced due to significant uncertainty created by fluid trade policy and its implications.
Company Guidance
During the Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. first quarter 2025 earnings call, guidance for the upcoming quarters was provided with a cautious tone due to uncertainty in the market. The company projected adjusted EPS for the second quarter of 2025 to range between $0.30 and $0.38, revising it down from the original range of $0.46 to $0.50. This adjustment reflects potential risks and uncertainties, including a possible decline in volumes and weak spot market conditions, as trade policies and tariffs create a volatile environment. The company highlighted a 1.2% year-over-year increase in revenue excluding fuel surcharge, a 68.2% rise in adjusted operating income, and a consolidated adjusted operating ratio improvement of 210 basis points to 94.7%. Despite these positive metrics, Knight-Swift emphasized the unpredictable market conditions and withheld guidance for the third quarter, opting to focus on short-term cost control measures and strategic asset management.

Knight Transportation Corporate Events

Shareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knight Transportation Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
May 14, 2025

On May 13, 2025, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where several key decisions were made. The stockholders elected twelve directors to serve one-year terms, approved executive compensation on an advisory basis, ratified the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025, and voted against a proposal for transparency in political spending. These decisions reflect the company’s strategic priorities and governance approach, potentially impacting its operational focus and stakeholder relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (KNX) stock is a Buy with a $62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Knight Transportation stock, see the KNX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Knight Transportation Appoints Douglas Col to Board
Positive
Mar 14, 2025

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. announced the appointment of Douglas Col to its Board of Directors, effective March 13, 2025. Mr. Col, recognized as an independent director, brings extensive experience in the transportation sector, having served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Saia, Inc. His appointment is expected to enhance the company’s governance and strategic oversight, potentially impacting its industry positioning positively.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.