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MRTN vs ODFL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Marten Transport (MRTN) vs. Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ODFL has delivered stronger year-to-date performance at approximately 42%, outpacing MRTN's 31% gain amid recent market recovery in transportation.
- MRTN, a truckload carrier, reported a Q1 earnings miss but has seen 15% monthly gains, reflecting short-term momentum.
- ODFL, the leading less-than-truckload (LTL) provider, benefits from higher margins and scale, with a market cap over 46 billion versus MRTN's 1.2 billion.
- Both stocks operate in freight transportation but differ in business models: MRTN focuses on full truckloads while ODFL excels in LTL efficiency.
- Recent sentiment favors ODFL ahead of earnings, with analysts highlighting its resilience despite freight demand challenges.
- AI tools like those on Tickeron show no direct coverage but underscore diverse strategies for transport sector plays.
Introduction
MRTN and ODFL represent key players in the U.S. trucking industry, with MRTN emphasizing truckload services and ODFL dominating less-than-truckload (LTL) operations. This comparison is relevant for investors tracking transportation sector recovery, as both stocks have shown gains amid stabilizing freight volumes. Traders seeking relative performance insights or diversification within logistics will find value in evaluating their momentum, valuations, and market positioning in the current environment.
MRTN Overview and Recent Performance
Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) operates as a temperature-controlled truckload carrier, providing dedicated and lane-specific services across North America. In recent market activity, the stock has climbed about 31% year-to-date and 15% over the past month, rebounding from lower levels. Trading around $14.86 with a market cap of $1.2 billion, it carries a high trailing P/E ratio (price-to-earnings ratio) of 82, reflecting modest earnings of $0.18 per share (EPS). Sentiment has been influenced by a recent Q1 earnings miss, where results fell short of expectations, though quarterly revenue held steady amid soft freight demand. Broader recovery in truckload rates has supported gains, but high P/E signals caution on valuation.
ODFL Overview and Recent Performance
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) is a premier LTL carrier known for operational efficiency and premium service, operating a vast network of terminals. The stock trades near $222 with a substantial $46 billion market cap and a P/E of 46, underpinned by robust EPS of $4.84. Recent weeks have seen continued strength, with year-to-date returns around 42% and one-year gains exceeding 52%, driven by market share gains and pricing power. Upcoming Q1 earnings are anticipated to meet or exceed estimates, bolstering positive sentiment despite industry headwinds like volume pressures. Resilient margins above 18% have differentiated it in recent market activity.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
MRTN and ODFL both navigate freight transportation but diverge in models: MRTN’s truckload focus exposes it to volume swings, while ODFL’s LTL niche offers higher margins (18%+ vs. lower for truckload) and network advantages. Growth drivers favor ODFL with superior scale and EPS growth, though MRTN shows nimbler recent momentum. Risk factors include cyclical freight demand affecting both, but ODFL’s beta of 1.21 indicates higher volatility versus MRTN’s 0.84. Market sentiment leans toward ODFL for stability, while MRTN trades at a premium valuation trade-off.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI analysis currently leans toward ODFL due to its trend consistency, larger scale, higher returns, and positive earnings momentum in recent market conditions. Factors like superior YTD performance and margin resilience position it favorably relative to MRTN, though MRTN offers value for short-term truckload recovery plays. Probabilities favor sustained outperformance for ODFL absent major sector shifts.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is MRTN is a Hold and ODFL is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
MRTN’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileODFL’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- MRTN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ODFL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
MRTN’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ODFL’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MRTN’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- ODFL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
MRTN (@Trucking) experienced а -4.46% price change this week, while ODFL (@Trucking) price change was -7.54% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Trucking industry was -5.41%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +9.21%, and the average quarterly price growth was +45.26%.
Reported Earning Dates
MRTN is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
ODFL is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Trucking (-5.41% weekly)The trucking industry provides road transportation delivery and logistical services, including moving large quantities of raw materials, works in process, and finished goods —often from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used in the construction industry, as they transport large amounts of rocks, concrete, and other building materials used in construction. Trucks in the U.S. are responsible for the majority of freight movement over land, and therefore play an important role in the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries. The business could be affected by economic cycles, since it is closely linked with manufacturing, retail and construction. Some of the major trucking companies in the U.S. are Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., and XPO Logistics, Inc.
| MRTN | ODFL | MRTN / ODFL | |
| Capitalization | 1.38B | 45.7B | 3% |
| EBITDA | 110M | 1.71B | 6% |
| Gain YTD | 49.951 | 40.373 | 124% |
| P/E Ratio | 94.00 | 45.83 | 205% |
| Revenue | 864M | 5.46B | 16% |
| Total Cash | 2.18M | 288M | 1% |
| Total Debt | 157K | 40M | 0% |
MRTN | ODFL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 81 | 86 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 52 Fair valued | 93 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 89 | 53 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 90 | 41 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 41 | 15 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 12 | 19 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
MRTN's Valuation (52) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ODFL (93). This means that MRTN’s stock grew somewhat faster than ODFL’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's Profit vs Risk Rating (53) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MRTN (89). This means that ODFL’s stock grew somewhat faster than MRTN’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's SMR Rating (41) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MRTN (90). This means that ODFL’s stock grew somewhat faster than MRTN’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's Price Growth Rating (15) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as MRTN (41). This means that ODFL’s stock grew similarly to MRTN’s over the last 12 months.
MRTN's P/E Growth Rating (12) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as ODFL (19). This means that MRTN’s stock grew similarly to ODFL’s over the last 12 months.
| MRTN | ODFL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 80% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 63% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 70% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 15 days ago 71% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 63% | 8 days ago 58% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 85% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 75% |
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MRTN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MRTN has been closely correlated with HTLD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MRTN jumps, then HTLD could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MRTN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRTN | 100% | +0.42% | ||
| HTLD - MRTN | 77% Closely correlated | +1.73% | ||
| CVLG - MRTN | 76% Closely correlated | +1.64% | ||
| WERN - MRTN | 74% Closely correlated | +0.42% | ||
| SNDR - MRTN | 73% Closely correlated | -0.59% | ||
| ODFL - MRTN | 73% Closely correlated | -0.69% | ||
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ODFL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ODFL has been closely correlated with SAIA. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ODFL jumps, then SAIA could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ODFL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODFL | 100% | -0.69% | ||
| SAIA - ODFL | 83% Closely correlated | +0.21% | ||
| ARCB - ODFL | 82% Closely correlated | +0.70% | ||
| KNX - ODFL | 78% Closely correlated | +1.69% | ||
| TFII - ODFL | 75% Closely correlated | +1.00% | ||
| MRTN - ODFL | 75% Closely correlated | +0.42% | ||
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