Heartland Express Inc (HTLD)vsKnight Transportation Inc (KNX)
HTLD
Heartland Express Inc
$15.52
0.00%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $1.22B
KNX
Knight Transportation Inc
$78.55
-1.10%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $13.25B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Knight Transportation Inc generates 883% more annual revenue ($7.50B vs $762.54M). KNX leads profitability with a 0.5% profit margin vs -5.7%. KNX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.68. KNX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 50/100 (C-).
HTLD
Avoid34
out of 100
Grade: F
KNX
Buy50
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+30.4%
Fair Value
$16.98
Current Price
$15.52
$1.46 discount
Margin of Safety
+39.1%
Fair Value
$133.88
Current Price
$78.55
$55.33 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Reasonable price relative to book value
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
Weak financial health signals
ROE of -5.8% — below average capital efficiency
1.4% revenue growth
Grey zone — moderate risk
ROE of 0.5% — below average capital efficiency
0.5% margin — thin
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : HTLD
The strongest argument for HTLD centers on Debt/Equity, Price/Book.
Bull Case : KNX
The strongest argument for KNX centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book. PEG of 0.68 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : HTLD
The primary concerns for HTLD are PEG Ratio, Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score.
Bear Case : KNX
The primary concerns for KNX are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity. A P/E of 388.3x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 0.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
HTLD profiles as a turnaround stock while KNX is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
HTLD carries more volatility with a beta of 1.31 — expect wider price swings.
KNX is growing revenue faster at 1.4% — sustainability is the question.
KNX generates stronger free cash flow (57M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
KNX scores higher overall (50/100 vs 34/100). HTLD offers better value entry with a 30.4% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Avoid" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Heartland Express Inc
INDUSTRIALS · TRUCKING · USA
Heartland Express, Inc., is a short- to medium-haul truck freight carrier in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa.
Knight Transportation Inc
INDUSTRIALS · TRUCKING · USA
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., provides truck cargo transportation services in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
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