tiprankstipranks
Marten Transport (MRTN)
NASDAQ:MRTN
US Market
Want to see MRTN full AI Analyst Report?

Marten Transport (MRTN) AI Stock Analysis

219 Followers

Top Page

MRTN

Marten Transport

(NASDAQ:MRTN)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 52 (OpenAI - Gpt-5.6Sol)
Rating:52Neutral
Price Target:
$14.50
â–²(0.28% Upside)
Action:Reiterated
Date:07/24/26
The score is held back primarily by weakening profitability (sharp margin compression) and inconsistent free cash flow, partially offset by an exceptionally conservative balance sheet. Technicals are neutral-to-weak with the stock below key short-term averages, and valuation is the biggest headwind given the very high P/E relative to current earnings strength. Corporate events add only modest support via sequential profit improvement and added financing flexibility.
Positive Factors
Exceptionally conservative balance sheet
Minimal leverage reduces refinancing exposure and preserves capacity to fund equipment, technology and operations through freight cycles. This financial resilience can help Marten withstand weak conditions and pursue opportunities without significant balance-sheet strain.
Negative Factors
Persistent revenue contraction
Multi-year revenue contraction indicates weaker freight demand, pricing, volume or network utilization rather than a one-quarter fluctuation. Continued top-line pressure can limit operating leverage and make recovery dependent on a broader freight-market improvement.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
Exceptionally conservative balance sheet
Minimal leverage reduces refinancing exposure and preserves capacity to fund equipment, technology and operations through freight cycles. This financial resilience can help Marten withstand weak conditions and pursue opportunities without significant balance-sheet strain.
Read all positive factors

Marten Transport (MRTN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Marten Transport Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description
Marten Transport, Ltd. functions as a prominent logistics firm, specializing in the temperature-controlled shipment of goods across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company's operations are divided into four main segments. Its Truckload ...
How the Company Makes Money
Marten Transport makes money primarily by transporting freight for customers and charging for those services under negotiated rates and contracts. Key revenue streams generally include: (1) Asset-based trucking revenue, where the company uses its ...

Marten Transport Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials are mixed: a very strong, low-leverage balance sheet (debt-to-equity near zero) supports resilience, but operating performance has deteriorated. Revenue has declined since 2022 and margins have compressed sharply (EBIT margin down to ~0.9% TTM; net margin ~1.5% TTM). Cash flow is also uneven, with volatile/often negative free cash flow and weaker recent cash conversion (OCF to net income below 1.0 in TTM).
Income Statement
34
Negative
Balance Sheet
86
Very Positive
Cash Flow
46
Neutral
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue857.65M883.65M963.71M1.13B1.26B973.64M
Gross Profit10.34M50.49M130.70M188.73M238.50M183.15M
EBITDA113.56M129.77M139.90M193.22M240.98M197.96M
Net Income12.64M17.44M26.92M70.37M110.35M85.43M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets955.49M949.77M968.76M990.34M980.52M884.26M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments103.98M43.28M17.27M53.21M80.60M56.99M
Total Debt358.00K388.00K282.00K249.00K710.00K540.00K
Total Liabilities189.52M182.14M200.84M232.95M276.60M232.59M
Stockholders Equity765.96M767.63M767.92M757.39M703.92M651.68M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.32M-51.06M-98.42M-76.18M42.87M-28.09M
Operating Cash Flow84.84M93.49M134.81M164.38M219.49M171.20M
Investing Cash Flow7.78M-42.88M-152.14M-172.54M-134.96M-123.73M
Financing Cash Flow-18.68M-19.60M-18.62M-19.23M-60.93M-56.60M

Marten Transport Risk Analysis

Marten Transport disclosed 20 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Marten Transport reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Marten Transport Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
58
Neutral
$3.08B189.601.26%0.31%3.70%-89.58%
53
Neutral
$897.10M227.930.92%0.60%8.34%-89.15%
52
Neutral
$2.35B-49.07-3.39%1.32%9.64%-190.02%
52
Neutral
$1.18B89.301.65%1.47%-6.87%-39.59%
52
Neutral
$492.55M-5.29-16.51%2.66%-8.33%-249.94%
43
Neutral
$955.83M-42.20-2.89%0.56%-21.02%38.05%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MRTN
Marten Transport
13.86
2.48
21.75%
CVLG
Covenant Logistics Group
34.19
10.40
43.74%
HTLD
Heartland Express
11.91
3.61
43.44%
WERN
Werner Enterprises
37.84
9.82
35.04%
ARCB
ArcBest
132.72
60.19
82.99%
ULH
Universal Logistics
18.41
-6.10
-24.90%

Marten Transport Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Marten Transport Enters Significant New Financial Agreement
Neutral
Aug 25, 2026
On August 25, 2026, Marten Transport, Ltd. filed a report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, formally signed by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer James J. Hinnendael. The filing documents the company’s entry into a...
Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Marten Transport Highlights Q2 Profit Recovery, Market Tailwinds
Negative
Jul 23, 2026
Marten Transport reported that second-quarter 2026 net income fell to $5.3 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, from $7.2 million, or $0.09 per share, a year earlier, though earnings rose sharply from $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2026. For...
Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Marten Transport Amends Credit Agreement, Enhancing Financial Flexibility
Positive
Jun 18, 2026
On June 12, 2026, Marten Transport, Ltd. entered into a First Amendment to its Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks and U.S. Bank National Association acting as agent, formalizing updated terms to its existing credit facilities. The agreemen...
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: Jul 24, 2026