MRTN
IndustrialsMarten Transport, Ltd. · Trucking · $1B
What is Marten Transport, Ltd.?
Marten Transport is a specialized truckload carrier focused on temperature-sensitive freight across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Mondovi, Wisconsin, the company serves food and consumer goods shippers requiring refrigerated or insulated transport.
Marten Transport earns revenue by moving temperature-controlled freight for food producers and consumer packaged goods companies. It operates four business segments: Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, and Brokerage. The Truckload and Dedicated segments use company-owned refrigerated trailers, while the Intermodal segment combines rail and road transport. The Brokerage segment arranges third-party carriers for customers needing flexible capacity.
Marten Transport was founded in 1986 and operates out of Mondovi, Wisconsin.
- Temperature-controlled truckload services
- Dedicated fleet solutions for individual shippers
- Refrigerated intermodal rail-and-road transport
- Freight brokerage for temperature-sensitive and dry van loads
Is MRTN a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates MRTN as Below Average overall.
The most constructive aspects of Marten Transport's profile are its Risk and Valuation pillars, both rated Good. The company's balance sheet posture and current pricing relative to fundamentals stand out as relative positives within a challenging freight environment.
Quality, Moat, and Growth are all rated Weak, reflecting limited competitive differentiation, constrained earnings power, and a difficult near-term growth outlook for the temperature-sensitive trucking niche.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does MRTN pay dividends?
Yes — Marten Transport, Ltd. pays a dividend.
Marten Transport pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap trucking carriers. The dividend reflects management's intent to return capital to shareholders even during freight market cycles. Income-oriented investors may find this appealing, though the payout should be weighed against the company's Weak Growth and Quality pillar ratings.
When does MRTN report earnings?
Marten Transport reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equities.
The temperature-sensitive trucking sector has faced persistent rate pressure and softer freight demand in recent periods. Marten's results reflect those industry headwinds, with profitability metrics tracking below prior-cycle highs. Investors should monitor load volumes and rate trends as key indicators.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Marten Transport's investor relations page directly.
MRTN Price History
-3.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Marten Transport, Ltd.?
Based on Marten Transport, Ltd.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
MRTN Long-term Outlook
With Growth and Quality both rated Weak, the near-term fundamental outlook for Marten Transport remains cautious. A freight market recovery could provide a tailwind, but the company's limited moat makes it difficult to capture outsized gains relative to peers. The Good Risk rating suggests the balance sheet is not a near-term concern, which provides some downside buffer.
Growth drivers
- A cyclical recovery in temperature-sensitive freight demand
- Expansion of dedicated and intermodal service contracts
- Potential operating leverage if carrier capacity tightens industrywide
Key risks
- Prolonged freight rate weakness compressing margins further
- Limited pricing power given the Weak Moat rating
- Fuel cost volatility and driver availability challenges common to the trucking sector
MRTN vs Peers
Marten Transport competes in the specialized and temperature-controlled trucking space alongside several regional and national carriers.
Heartland Express operates a broader dry-van and temperature-controlled network, giving it greater geographic scale than Marten's more focused refrigerated niche.
Mullen Group is a Canadian-listed diversified trucking and logistics company, offering exposure to cross-border freight dynamics that differ from Marten's primarily US-centric operations.
Covenant Logistics competes across expedited, dedicated, and managed freight services, with a business mix that extends beyond temperature-sensitive loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Marten Transport do?
Marten Transport is a temperature-sensitive truckload carrier that moves food and consumer packaged goods requiring refrigerated or insulated transport. It operates through Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal, and Brokerage segments across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Does MRTN pay dividends?
Yes, Marten Transport pays a regular dividend. This is relatively uncommon for small-cap trucking companies and reflects management's commitment to returning capital to shareholders. Investors should review the current dividend policy on the company's investor relations page for the latest details.
When does MRTN report earnings?
Marten Transport follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check the company's investor relations page, as specific dates are subject to change.
Is MRTN a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates MRTN as Below Average. The Risk and Valuation pillars are rated Good, but Quality, Moat, and Growth are all rated Weak. Whether MRTN fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is MRTN overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for MRTN is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals at current levels. However, valuation alone does not make a complete investment case — weak quality and growth metrics are also part of the picture.
How does MRTN compare to its competitors?
Marten Transport's focus on temperature-controlled freight sets it apart from broader dry-van carriers, but it faces competition from Heartland Express, Covenant Logistics, and Mullen Group. Compared to peers, MRTN's Risk and Valuation profiles are constructive, while its moat and growth profile lag.
What is MRTN's market cap bracket?
Marten Transport is classified as a small-cap stock. This means it carries higher volatility risk than large-cap peers and may have less analyst coverage, but it can also offer different return dynamics for investors comfortable with smaller-company exposure.
Who founded Marten Transport?
Marten Transport was founded in 1986. Detailed founding history, including the names of founders, is publicly available through the company's official website and investor relations materials.
Is MRTN a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, MRTN's UQS profile is Below Average. The Weak ratings across Quality, Moat, and Growth suggest limited structural advantages over a full market cycle. The Good Risk rating provides some comfort, but long-term investors should weigh all five pillars carefully.
What sector does MRTN belong to?
Marten Transport belongs to the Industrials sector, specifically within the trucking and freight transportation industry. The company's temperature-sensitive specialization positions it in a niche segment of that broader sector, focused on food and consumer goods logistics.
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Pro Analysis
MRTN — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 32.4 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 35.5 | 73.7 | 67.0 | -0.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 32.6 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 34.3 | 71.6 | 69.4 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 32.7 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 34.3 | 71.6 | 69.7 | -0.8 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 33.5 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 38.9 | 71.6 | 69.0 | 0.0 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 33.5 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 39.0 | 71.6 | 69.2 | -0.3 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 33.8 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 40.5 | 71.6 | 69.2 | +0.5 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 33.3 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 37.9 | 71.6 | 68.8 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 33.5 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 37.9 | 71.6 | 70.4 | +0.9 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 32.6 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 37.9 | 71.6 | 64.4 | 0.0 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 32.6 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 37.9 | 71.6 | 64.3 | 0.0 |
MRTN — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 7.0/100 (25%)Marten Transport, Ltd. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 35.5/100 (20%)Marten Transport, Ltd. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 73.7/100 (15%)Marten Transport, Ltd. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 67.2/100 (15%)Marten Transport, Ltd. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 10/100 (25%)Marten Transport, Ltd. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MRTN.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the MRTN UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Marten Transport, Ltd. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Marten Transport, Ltd.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Marten Transport, Ltd. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.