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MRTN vs ODFL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) vs. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) and Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) operate in the trucking sector but differ in business models, with MRTN focused on temperature-sensitive truckload and ODFL specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) services.
- Both stocks have shown positive year-to-date performance in 2026, though ODFL has delivered stronger relative gains amid broader market conditions.
- Recent earnings for MRTN reflected revenue declines and an earnings per share (EPS) miss, while ODFL prepares for its second-quarter report with analyst expectations of revenue growth.
- Sector exposure to freight demand and fuel costs influences both, with ODFL demonstrating greater pricing resilience in recent market activity.
- Risk factors include cyclical industry pressures for MRTN and valuation considerations for the larger-capitalization ODFL.
- Market sentiment remains neutral to cautious for both amid ongoing economic indicators affecting transportation demand.
Introduction
Trucking companies Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) and Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) provide a relevant comparison for investors and traders evaluating exposure to the transportation and logistics sector. This analysis examines their business models, recent performance trends, and relative positioning in the current market environment. Institutional and retail participants seeking to understand contrasts in growth drivers, operational scale, and risk profiles within the freight industry may find the comparison useful for portfolio construction or sector rotation decisions.
MRTN Overview and Recent Performance
Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) operates as a temperature-sensitive and dry truckload carrier serving shippers across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The company provides dedicated and irregular route services with a focus on perishable and temperature-controlled freight. In recent market activity, the stock has traded near the $16 level following second-quarter 2026 earnings that showed revenue of approximately $223.5 million, down year-over-year, and diluted EPS of $0.07, missing consensus estimates. Broader sentiment has reflected industry-wide freight softness, though the company maintains a dividend yield supported by its operational history. Relative performance has been positive on a year-to-date basis but lagged some peers in the trucking space during recent weeks.
ODFL Overview and Recent Performance
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) provides regional, inter-regional, and national less-than-truckload (LTL) services through an integrated, union-free network, supplemented by container drayage, truckload brokerage, and supply chain consulting. The company has demonstrated resilience in pricing and service quality. In recent market activity, shares have traded near $233 amid anticipation of second-quarter 2026 results expected on July 29, with analysts projecting revenue growth of about 9.5% and EPS of $1.52. Year-to-date returns have been robust, outpacing the broader market, supported by operational efficiency and market share gains in the LTL segment during recent weeks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN) and Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) both operate in the trucking industry but target distinct segments: MRTN emphasizes temperature-controlled truckload hauling, while ODFL dominates less-than-truckload (LTL) freight with a larger network and scale. Growth drivers differ accordingly, with MRTN more exposed to dedicated contract volatility and ODFL benefiting from LTL pricing power and density advantages. Recent momentum has favored ODFL’s stronger year-to-date gains compared with MRTN’s more modest advances amid earnings pressure. Risk factors include MRTN’s smaller market capitalization and earnings sensitivity versus ODFL’s higher valuation multiples and exposure to broader economic cycles. Sector sentiment remains tied to freight volumes and fuel costs for both, though ODFL’s operational metrics have provided relative stability in recent market activity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings stability, and relative market positioning in recent weeks, Tickeron’s AI models would currently assign a probabilistic preference to Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) over Marten Transport, Ltd. (MRTN). ODFL’s scale, anticipated revenue expansion, and stronger year-to-date performance provide a more consistent profile amid sector challenges, though outcomes remain subject to broader economic variables and upcoming earnings data.
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 disclaimer.
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 StrongBuy and ODFL is a StrongBuy.
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 1 green FA rating(s).
- MRTN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ODFL’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MRTN’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- ODFL’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
MRTN (@Trucking) experienced а -9.26% price change this week, while ODFL (@Trucking) price change was -8.95% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Trucking industry was -9.63%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -10.51%, and the average quarterly price growth was +28.12%.
Reported Earning Dates
MRTN is expected to report earnings on Oct 21, 2026.
ODFL is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Trucking (-9.63% 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 | 1.21B | 44.1B | 3% |
| EBITDA | 110M | 1.71B | 6% |
| Gain YTD | 31.074 | 35.654 | 87% |
| P/E Ratio | 98.60 | 40.80 | 242% |
| Revenue | 864M | 5.46B | 16% |
| Total Cash | 2.18M | 288M | 1% |
| Total Debt | 157K | 40M | 0% |
MRTN | ODFL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 54 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 48 Fair valued | 92 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 54 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 90 | 41 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 56 | 45 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 9 | 20 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
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 (48) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ODFL (92). This means that MRTN’s stock grew somewhat faster than ODFL’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's Profit vs Risk Rating (54) in the Trucking industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MRTN (100). 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 (45) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as MRTN (56). This means that ODFL’s stock grew similarly to MRTN’s over the last 12 months.
MRTN's P/E Growth Rating (9) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as ODFL (20). This means that MRTN’s stock grew similarly to ODFL’s over the last 12 months.
| MRTN | ODFL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 75% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 68% | 4 days ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 4 days ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | 4 days ago 62% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 60% | 4 days ago 64% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 61% | 4 days ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 21 days ago 60% | 22 days ago 72% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 58% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 76% | 4 days ago 78% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | N/A | 4 days ago 52% |
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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% | -0.07% | ||
| HTLD - MRTN | 77% Closely correlated | -3.93% | ||
| WERN - MRTN | 75% Closely correlated | +1.46% | ||
| CVLG - MRTN | 74% Closely correlated | -3.61% | ||
| SNDR - MRTN | 73% Closely correlated | +4.69% | ||
| ODFL - MRTN | 71% Closely correlated | -0.16% | ||
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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 84% 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% | -0.16% | ||
| SAIA - ODFL | 84% Closely correlated | -0.86% | ||
| ARCB - ODFL | 81% Closely correlated | +1.61% | ||
| TFII - ODFL | 76% Closely correlated | +0.54% | ||
| CVLG - ODFL | 73% Closely correlated | -3.61% | ||
| HTLD - ODFL | 72% Closely correlated | -3.93% | ||
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