Groowe Groowe BETA / Newsroom
⏱ News is delayed by 15 minutes. Sign in for real-time access. Sign in

Marten Transport Announces Second Quarter Results

globenewswire.com
MRTN The company reported a sequential improvement in profitability and highlighted a tightening freight market with structural changes benefiting capacity. However, year-over-year net income and revenue decreased, and operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased.

Marten Transport Announces Second Quarter Results MONDOVI, Wis., July 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marten Transport, Ltd. (Nasdaq/GS:MRTN) today reported net income of $5.3 million, or 7 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared with $7.2 million, or 9 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025. The 2026 second-quarter earnings improved 286.3% sequentially from 2026 first-quarter net income of $1.4 million, or 2 cents per diluted share. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2026, net income was $6.7 million, or 8 cents per diluted share, compared with $11.5 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, for the 2025 six-month period.

Operating revenue was $223.5 million for the second quarter of 2026 compared with $229.9 million for the second quarter of 2025. Our intermodal operations, which were sold in 2025, had operating revenue of $11.7 million in the 2025 quarter. Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue was $185.2 million for the 2026 quarter compared with $203.8 million for the 2025 quarter. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $38.3 million for the 2026 quarter from $26.1 million for the 2025 quarter.

Operating revenue was $427.1 million for the first six months of 2026 compared with $453.1 million for the first six months of 2025. Our intermodal operations had operating revenue of $23.8 million in the first six months of 2025. Excluding fuel surcharges, operating revenue was $362.4 million for the 2026 period compared with $399.6 million for the 2025 period. Fuel surcharge revenue increased to $64.7 million for the 2026 period from $53.5 million for the 2025 period.

Operating income was $6.9 million for the second quarter of 2026 compared with $9.7 million for the second quarter of 2025.

Operating income was $8.5 million for the first six months of 2026 compared with $15.6 million for the first six months of 2025.

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue were 96.9% for the 2026 quarter and 95.8% for the 2025 quarter. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, were 96.3% for the 2026 quarter and 95.2% for the 2025 quarter.

Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue were 98.0% for the first six months of 2026 and 96.6% for the first six months of 2025. Operating expenses as a percentage of operating revenue, with both amounts net of fuel surcharges, were 97.7% for the 2026 period and 96.1% for the 2025 period.

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Randolph L. Marten stated, “We are encouraged by the sequential improvement in profitability in each of our truckload, dedicated and brokerage operations this quarter.”

“The freight market has sharply tightened in recent months and is now breaking out from the longest freight market recession on record. This market recovery is driven by structural changes, including accelerating federal enforcement of noncompliant state licensing practices for non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, or CDL’s, English Language Proficiency requirements, electronic logging device fraud, CDL mills and chameleon carriers. These measures, along with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Montgomery broker-liability ruling, which held that negligent hiring claims against freight brokers are not preempted by federal law, are contracting meaningful levels of freight capacity by removing noncompliant and unqualified drivers.”

“We are successfully securing higher pricing from our customers for our premium services and enhancing the quality of our freight within this improving freight market. Our ongoing focus remains on safe, premium service, data-driven operating efficiencies and aggressive cost controls. Our strong, debt-free balance sheet enhances our ability to continue investing in our technology and modern fleet and position our operations to capitalize on improving profitable organic growth opportunities.”

Current Investor Presentation

Marten Transport, with headquarters in Mondovi, Wis., is a multifaceted business offering a network of time and temperature-sensitive and dry truck-based transportation and distribution capabilities across Marten’s five distinct business platforms – Temperature-Sensitive and Dry Truckload, Dedicated, Brokerage and MRTN de Mexico. Marten’s Intermodal operations were sold effective September 30, 2025. Marten is one of the leading temperature-sensitive truckload carriers in the United States, specializing in transporting and distributing food, beverages and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment. The Company offers service in the United States, Mexico and Canada, concentrating on expedited movements for high-volume customers. Marten’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol MRTN.

This press release contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include a discussion of Marten’s prospects for future growth, including the impact on the freight market of accelerating federal enforcement of noncompliant state licensing practices for non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, or CDL’s, English Language Proficiency requirements, electronic logging device fraud, CDL mills and chameleon carriers, along with the Montgomery broker-liability ruling, and by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors known to the Company that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in Part II, Item 1A of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACTS: Randy Marten, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Doug Petit, President, and Jim Hinnendael, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Marten Transport, Ltd., 715-926-4216.