Matson Inc (MATX)
:MATX
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Matson (MATX) AI Stock Analysis

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MATX

Matson

(NYSE:MATX)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$121.00
▲(29.51% Upside)
Matson's overall stock score reflects a stable financial position with strong profitability and attractive valuation. However, challenges in revenue and cash flow growth, coupled with mixed technical signals and earnings call concerns, suggest a need for cautious optimism. The company's strategic positioning and financial resilience provide a solid foundation, but growth and market conditions require close attention.
Positive Factors
Strong Cash Flows
Strong cash flows indicate robust operational efficiency and financial health, enabling Matson to fund operations, invest in growth, and return capital to shareholders.
Low Leverage
Low leverage enhances financial stability, providing Matson with greater flexibility to navigate economic fluctuations and invest in strategic opportunities.
Positive U.S.-China Trade Deal Impact
The trade deal reduces operational uncertainties and costs, potentially boosting Matson's profitability and competitive position in the China service segment.
Negative Factors
Decline in Revenue Growth
A sharp decline in revenue growth can indicate weakening demand or competitive pressures, potentially impacting Matson's long-term market position and profitability.
Decreased Operating Income
Reduced operating income reflects challenges in core segments, which could strain profitability and limit resources for strategic investments.
Decline in China Service Volume
A decline in China service volume suggests competitive or market challenges, potentially affecting Matson's revenue and market share in a key growth region.

Matson (MATX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Matson Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMatson, Inc. (MATX) is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services, primarily serving the Pacific region. The company operates through two main segments: Ocean Transportation and Logistics. Matson's core services include container shipping, terminal operations, and logistics solutions, catering mainly to the transportation of goods between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, as well as to other Pacific islands. The company is known for its reliable service and commitment to customer satisfaction in the transportation of a wide range of cargo, including retail goods, food products, and industrial materials.
How the Company Makes MoneyMatson generates revenue primarily through its Ocean Transportation segment, which accounts for a significant portion of its earnings. This segment derives income from the shipping of containerized freight, with revenue influenced by factors such as shipping volumes, freight rates, and fuel costs. The Logistics segment contributes additional revenue by providing integrated supply chain solutions, including transportation management, warehousing, and distribution services. Key revenue streams include contracts with large retail and food companies, as well as spot market transactions. Additionally, strategic partnerships with other logistics providers enhance service offerings and expand reach, bolstering Matson's competitive edge in the market.

Matson Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 04, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 24, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture with notable operational and financial challenges, especially in the China service and logistics segments. However, there were positive elements such as increased container volume in Alaska, strong cash flows, and the positive impact of the U.S.-China trade deal. The challenges in operating income and specific market segments were significant, but the company's strategic positioning and financial resilience were also emphasized.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Increase in Container Volume in Alaska
Matson's container volume for the third quarter of 2025 increased 4.1% year-over-year, supported by an additional northbound sailing and higher AAX volume.
SSAT Terminal Joint Venture Performance
The SSAT terminal joint venture contributed $9.3 million, representing a year-over-year increase of $2.4 million, primarily due to higher lift revenue.
Strong Cash Flows
For the trailing 12 months, Matson generated cash flow from operations of $544.9 million, exceeding the aggregate spend on maintenance CapEx, dividends, and share repurchases by $55.8 million.
Successful Share Repurchase Program
Year-to-date, Matson repurchased approximately 2 million shares for a total cost of $229.3 million, continuing its commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders.
Positive U.S.-China Trade Deal Impact
The trade and economic deal between the U.S. and China announced on October 30 included a 1-year suspension of port entry fees and a cumulative 10% reduction in tariffs on Chinese imports, which is expected to reduce planning uncertainty.
Negative Updates
Decreased Operating Income
Consolidated operating income decreased by $81.3 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower contributions from Ocean Transportation and Logistics.
Decline in China Service Volume and Freight Rates
Container volume in the China service decreased by 12.8% year-over-year, with lower year-over-year freight rates due to continued uncertainty and volatility from tariffs and global trade.
Challenges in Guam and Hawaii Markets
Container volume in Guam decreased by 4.2% year-over-year, and Hawaii tourism softened due to tariff uncertainties, resulting in a challenging environment for these markets.
Expected Lower Fourth Quarter Operating Income
For the fourth quarter 2025, consolidated operating income is expected to be approximately 30% lower year-over-year.
Logistics Operating Income Decline
Logistics operating income in the third quarter was $1.8 million lower than the same period last year due to lower contributions from freight forwarding, transportation brokerage, and supply chain management.
Company Guidance
During the Matson Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call, significant guidance was provided regarding Matson's future expectations and performance metrics. For the fourth quarter of 2025, Matson anticipates consolidated operating income to be approximately 30% lower year-over-year due to decreased freight rates and volumes in the China service. The company expects logistics operating income to also be modestly lower than the previous year. Matson highlighted a 12.8% year-over-year decrease in container volume for its China service in Q3 2025, primarily due to global trade uncertainties. Conversely, Hawaii and Alaska saw increases in container volumes of 0.3% and 4.1%, respectively, while Guam experienced a 4.2% decrease. For the full year 2025, Matson expects container volume in Hawaii to remain comparable to 2024 levels, while Alaska is projected to see a modest increase. The SSAT terminal joint venture contributed $9.3 million in Q3 2025, a $2.4 million increase year-over-year. Matson's share repurchase program was also discussed, with 0.6 million shares repurchased in Q3 2025 at a total cost of $66.4 million. The company remains optimistic about a more stable trading environment following a trade and economic deal between the U.S. and China, which includes a 1-year suspension of port entry fees and a 10% reduction in tariffs on Chinese imports.

Matson Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Matson's financial performance is stable with strong profitability and efficient operations. However, negative revenue and free cash flow growth rates highlight potential challenges. The company's low leverage and healthy return on equity are positive indicators, but pressure on margins and cash flow generation needs monitoring.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Matson's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM data reflects a decline in revenue growth rate at -2.36%, indicating a contraction compared to previous periods. Gross profit margin and net profit margin have decreased from 2024 to TTM, suggesting pressure on profitability. However, the company maintains a reasonable EBIT margin of 16.19% and EBITDA margin of 23.00% in TTM, indicating operational efficiency. Overall, while profitability metrics remain solid, the negative revenue growth is a concern.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
The balance sheet of Matson is relatively strong with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27 in TTM, reflecting prudent financial leverage. The return on equity (ROE) is healthy at 18.90%, indicating effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio stands at 58.43%, showing a stable capital structure. Despite a slight increase in debt from 2024, the overall financial position remains stable and well-managed.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Matson's cash flow statement reveals some challenges. The free cash flow growth rate is negative at -2.93% in TTM, indicating a decline in cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is slightly above 1, suggesting adequate cash flow generation relative to net income. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.77 indicates that a significant portion of net income is not translating into free cash flow. While cash flow from operations remains robust, the decline in free cash flow growth is a concern.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.38B3.42B3.09B4.34B3.93B2.38B
Gross Profit787.80M855.90M623.90M1.53B1.37B479.00M
EBITDA830.80M916.00M690.50M1.68B1.45B494.30M
Net Income429.70M476.40M297.10M1.06B927.40M193.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.60B4.60B4.29B4.33B3.69B2.90B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments92.70M266.80M134.00M249.80M282.40M14.40M
Total Debt719.00M749.00M725.00M910.70M1.06B1.00B
Total Liabilities1.91B1.94B1.89B2.03B2.03B1.94B
Stockholders Equity2.69B2.65B2.40B2.30B1.67B961.20M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow334.90M457.70M262.10M1.06B658.80M237.50M
Operating Cash Flow542.80M767.80M510.50M1.27B984.10M429.80M
Investing Cash Flow-363.70M-336.10M-338.20M-729.30M-323.40M-177.00M
Financing Cash Flow-359.10M-301.20M-289.70M-576.60M-392.70M-261.50M

Matson Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price93.43
Price Trends
50DMA
100.36
Positive
100DMA
104.06
Positive
200DMA
111.95
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
3.14
Negative
RSI
65.51
Neutral
STOCH
70.74
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MATX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 93.43 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 100.00, below the 50-day MA of 100.36, and below the 200-day MA of 111.95, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 3.14 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 65.51 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 70.74 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for MATX.

Matson Risk Analysis

Matson disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Matson reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Matson Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$1.56B5.4914.98%3.18%-29.82%-16.77%
73
Outperform
$1.73B3.9013.38%3.57%5.63%-17.54%
73
Outperform
$5.99B20.519.17%1.59%3.35%
71
Outperform
$3.12B7.4616.38%1.29%1.88%9.30%
66
Neutral
$2.15B17.775.11%4.21%2.95%-61.74%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
63
Neutral
$1.84B0.9259.06%48.54%43.57%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MATX
Matson
110.17
-52.33
-32.20%
CMRE
Costamare
14.46
4.14
40.12%
DAC
Danaos
95.25
12.64
15.30%
KEX
Kirby
110.53
-19.42
-14.94%
SBLK
Star Bulk Carriers
18.78
-0.47
-2.44%
ZIM
ZIM
15.70
-0.88
-5.31%

Matson Corporate Events

Matson Inc’s Earnings Call: Challenges and Resilience
Nov 6, 2025

Matson Inc’s recent earnings call painted a mixed picture, highlighting both operational challenges and financial resilience. The company faced significant hurdles, particularly in its China service and logistics segments, but also reported positive developments such as increased container volumes in Alaska, robust cash flows, and benefits from the U.S.-China trade deal. Despite the challenges in operating income and specific market segments, Matson emphasized its strategic positioning and financial strength.

Matson, Inc. Reports Decline in Q3 2025 Earnings
Nov 5, 2025

Matson, Inc., a prominent player in the ocean transportation and logistics sector, provides essential freight services across the Pacific, including expedited routes from China to the U.S. West Coast. In its third-quarter 2025 earnings report, Matson reported a decline in net income to $134.7 million from $199.1 million in the same period last year, with earnings per share also decreasing from $5.89 to $4.24. The company’s consolidated revenue fell to $880.1 million, primarily due to reduced freight rates and container volumes in its China service. Matson’s Ocean Transportation segment saw a notable decrease in operating income by 35%, attributed to lower demand in the Transpacific tradelane and reduced freight rates. However, the company experienced growth in container volumes in Hawaii and Alaska, while Guam and China saw declines. The Logistics segment also faced a downturn with a decrease in operating income by 11.7%, impacted by lower contributions from freight forwarding and supply chain management. Looking ahead, Matson anticipates a challenging fourth quarter with expectations of a 30% decrease in consolidated operating income compared to the previous year, although a recent trade agreement between the U.S. and China may provide some stability in the trading environment.

Business Operations and Strategy
Matson Highlights Strategic Focus at Jefferies Conference
Positive
Sep 3, 2025

On September 3, 2025, Matson, Inc. presented an overview of the company at the Jefferies Industrials Conference in New York. The presentation highlighted Matson’s strong market positions in niche markets, its commitment to returning cash to shareholders, and its financial strength to invest in growth opportunities. The company also emphasized its unique network connecting the Pacific and its premium services, such as the China-to-Long Beach Express, which offer competitive advantages and high return on invested capital. The announcement underscores Matson’s strategic focus on expanding its service offerings and maintaining its leadership in the Pacific transportation and logistics industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (MATX) stock is a Buy with a $116.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Matson stock, see the MATX Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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.Date of analysis: Nov 06, 2025