Marten Transport (MRTN) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $874.71M
• Dividend Yield: 2.24%
• Average Volume (3M): 619.09K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 41.9
• Beta (1Y): 0.85
• Revenue Growth: -11.77%
• EPS Growth: -52.06%
• Country: US
• Employees: 3,776
• Sector: Industrials
• Sector Strength: 72
• Industry: Trucking
• EPS (TTM): 0.09
• Shares Outstanding: 81,520,424
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 692,931
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 619,087
• PEG Ratio: -0.76
• Price to Book (P/B): 1.65
• Price to Sales (P/S): 1.32
• P/FCF Ratio: -12.91
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 1.17
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 1.11
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 3.69
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: 7.66
• 1Y Price Target: $12.00
• Price Target Upside: 11.84% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Hold
• Number of Analyst Covering: 2

• Rating: 56 Neutral
• Price Target: $12.00 ▲(11.84% Upside)

Marten Transport's overall stock score reflects a stable financial foundation with a strong balance sheet and cash flow management. However, the bearish technical indicators and high valuation suggest caution. The recent corporate events, including the CEO transition and revenue decline, add uncertainty, impacting the stock's outlook.

Marten Transport Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Marten Transport, Ltd. operates as a temperature-sensitive truckload carrier for shippers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It operates through four segments: Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, and Brokerage. The Truckload segment transports food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment. The Dedicated segment offers customized transportation solutions for individual customers' requirements using temperature-controlled trailers, dry vans, and other specialized equipment. The Intermodal segment transports customers' freight utilizing its refrigerated containers and temperature-controlled trailers on railroad flatcars for portions of trips, as well as using tractors and contracted carriers. The Brokerage segment develops contractual relationships with and arranges for third-party carriers to transport freight for customers in temperature-controlled trailers and dry vans. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated a fleet of 3,204 tractors, including 3,111 company-owned tractors and 93 tractors supplied by independent contractors. Marten Transport, Ltd. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Mondovi, Wisconsin.

How the Company Makes Money

Marten Transport generates revenue primarily through its freight transportation services, which include truckload services for temperature-sensitive products via refrigerated trailers and dry van freight. The company's revenue model is built on charging customers for transporting goods over various distances, with pricing influenced by factors such as fuel costs, market demand, and service type. Key revenue streams include long-haul trucking, dedicated contract carriage, and regional deliveries. Additionally, Marten maintains strategic partnerships with various shippers and logistics companies, enhancing its service offerings and market reach. The company's focus on efficiency and customer service, combined with a well-maintained fleet and technology-driven operations, supports its earnings and competitive positioning in the logistics sector.

Marten Transport Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Marten Transport presents a stable financial profile with strengths in its balance sheet and cash flow management. The company maintains a strong balance sheet with low leverage and a robust equity position. However, profitability margins and revenue growth face challenges, indicating room for improvement in operational efficiency and revenue stabilization.

Income Statement

Marten Transport's revenue has shown fluctuations, with a decline in recent periods. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is 20.18%, and the net profit margin is 2.27%, both indicating moderate profitability. The company's EBIT and EBITDA margins are 2.71% and 11.93% respectively, showing some operational efficiency but room for improvement. The overall trajectory indicates some challenges in maintaining consistent revenue and profit growth.

Balance Sheet

The company maintains a strong balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio due to minimal debt levels. The return on equity (ROE) for the TTM is 2.71%, suggesting efficient use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is 77.68%, indicating a robust financial structure with substantial equity backing. The overall financial stability is strong, with limited leverage risks.

Cash Flow

Marten Transport exhibits healthy cash flow management, with a significant increase in free cash flow in the TTM period, indicating improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 5.87, highlighting efficient cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 6.75, reflecting strong cash flow relative to net income. However, past periods have shown volatility in free cash flow, suggesting potential cash flow fluctuations.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	920.87M	963.71M	1.13B	1.26B	973.64M	874.37M
Gross Profit	277.69M	130.70M	295.31M	238.50M	183.15M	170.76M
EBITDA	133.79M	139.90M	193.22M	240.98M	197.96M	185.69M
Net Income	20.91M	26.92M	70.37M	110.35M	85.43M	69.50M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	991.82M	968.76M	990.34M	965.68M	870.69M	831.64M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	35.05M	17.27M	53.21M	80.60M	56.99M	66.13M
Total Debt	317.00K	578.00K	249.00K	409.00K	291.00K	411.00K
Total Liabilities	221.10M	200.84M	232.95M	261.76M	219.01M	211.30M
Stockholders Equity	770.72M	767.92M	757.39M	703.92M	651.68M	620.33M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	141.10M	-98.42M	-76.18M	42.87M	-28.09M	16.55M
Operating Cash Flow	122.64M	134.81M	164.38M	219.49M	171.20M	189.60M
Investing Cash Flow	-145.64M	-152.14M	-172.54M	-134.96M	-123.73M	-106.33M
Financing Cash Flow	-19.14M	-18.62M	-19.23M	-60.93M	-56.60M	-48.61M

Marten Transport Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Negative
• Last Price: 10.73
• 50DMA: Negative
• 100DMA: Negative
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Positive
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Positive

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MRTN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 10.73 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 11.37, below the 50-day MA of 11.85, and below the 200-day MA of 13.50, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.32 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 31.74 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 13.11 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for MRTN.

Marten Transport Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
CVLG	69 Neutral	540.42M	16.56	8.67%	1.23%	0.75%	-15.76%
ARCB	66 Neutral	1.56B	10.27	12.17%	0.70%	-6.42%	25.72%
ULH	62 Neutral	618.75M	10.15	9.34%	1.79%	-5.55%	-52.21%
WERN	58 Neutral	1.57B	30.64	3.69%	2.13%	-6.43%	-13.76%
MRTN	56 Neutral	$874.71M	41.93	2.72%	2.24%	-11.77%	-52.06%
HTLD	52 Neutral	662.61M	-18.71	-3.61%	0.93%	-16.42%	-49.44%
Sector *	63 Neutral	$10.79B	15.43	7.44%	2.01%	2.89%	-14.66%

Marten Transport Corporate Events

Marten Transport Announces CEO Retirement and Transition

On August 19, 2025, Marten Transport announced the retirement of its CEO, Timothy M. Kohl, effective September 30, 2025. Randolph L. Marten, who has been with the company since 1974 and has held various leadership roles, will assume the position of Chairman of the Board and CEO starting October 1, 2025. This leadership transition marks a significant change for the company, as Mr. Kohl was instrumental in transforming Marten into a multifaceted business, leading to unprecedented growth. The announcement reflects the company’s strategic continuity and stability, with Mr. Marten’s extensive experience expected to guide the company forward.

Marten Transport Reports Decline in Q2 2025 Revenue

Marten Transport reported a decline in net income and operating revenue for the second quarter and first half of 2025 compared to the same periods in 2024. The company faced challenges due to the freight market recession, inflationary operating costs, and freight rate reductions, but remains focused on minimizing these impacts and positioning for future growth opportunities, particularly with anticipated industry capacity exits.