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Knight Transportation (KNX)
NYSE:KNX
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Knight Transportation (KNX) AI Stock Analysis

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Knight Transportation

(NYSE:KNX)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$49.00
▲(8.72%Upside)
Knight Transportation's overall score reflects stable financial health and strategic improvements like the new credit facility. However, challenges such as valuation concerns and market uncertainties impact the overall outlook. The company's resilience in core operations and positive technical indicators contribute positively, while modest profitability and reduced guidance weigh on the score.
Positive Factors
Market Position
KNX is well-positioned to capitalize on a recovery in the TL market as the largest for-hire carrier.
Operational Efficiency
Margin upside is clear through self-help and the potential for operational leverage from a cyclical bounce.
Negative Factors
Cost Pressures
Costs remain elevated in the LTL segment, which could impact profitability.
Guidance Reduction
Management reduced 2Q25 guidance and declined to give guidance beyond that due to prevailing market and trade policy uncertainty.

Knight Transportation (KNX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Knight Transportation Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKnight Transportation (KNX) is a prominent American trucking company that operates primarily in the truckload transportation sector. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company offers a range of services including dry van, temperature-controlled, and dedicated transportation services. With a focus on safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, Knight Transportation serves a wide array of industries, providing them with reliable logistics and transportation solutions.
How the Company Makes MoneyKnight Transportation makes money through several key revenue streams centered around its core trucking and logistics services. The primary source of revenue is its truckload transportation services, where the company charges clients for moving freight across various distances and regions. Knight Transportation also generates income through its dedicated contract carriage, where it offers customized transportation solutions tailored to meet specific client needs on a long-term basis. Additionally, the company earns from ancillary services such as brokerage operations, which involve arranging transportation for customers through third-party carriers. Strategic partnerships and a focus on operational efficiency, including advanced logistics technology and fuel management, further contribute to the company's profitability.

Knight Transportation Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 23, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 14.30%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mix of positive financial performance indicators such as significant growth in adjusted operating income and LTL revenue, alongside challenges brought by external factors like trade policy uncertainty and a decline in truckload revenue.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Improved Adjusted Operating Income
Adjusted operating income improved by 68.2% or $35.1 million year over year.
Truckload Segment Improvement
Truckload segment saw a 59.7% increase in adjusted operating income despite a revenue decline.
LTL Growth
LTL business grew revenue excluding fuel surcharge by 26.7% year over year with shipments per day increasing 24.2%.
Logistics Revenue Growth
Logistics revenue increased 11.8% year over year as revenue per load increased 11.7%.
Cost Reduction Efforts
Implemented cost measures including selling underutilized tractors and trailers, investing in new technology, and reducing overhead costs.
Negative Updates
Truckload Revenue Decline
Truckload revenue excluding fuel surcharge for the first quarter decreased 4.2% driven by a 5.4% decline in loaded miles.
Challenges with Tariff and Trade Policies
Talks of tariffs and food trade policy have led to increased uncertainty among shippers, impacting volumes and rate negotiations.
Intermodal Market Pressure
Intermodal market saw increased competition and some deteriorating demand, affecting bid season outcomes.
Guidance Reduction
Guidance for the second quarter was reduced due to significant uncertainty created by fluid trade policy and its implications.
Company Guidance
During the Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. first quarter 2025 earnings call, guidance for the upcoming quarters was provided with a cautious tone due to uncertainty in the market. The company projected adjusted EPS for the second quarter of 2025 to range between $0.30 and $0.38, revising it down from the original range of $0.46 to $0.50. This adjustment reflects potential risks and uncertainties, including a possible decline in volumes and weak spot market conditions, as trade policies and tariffs create a volatile environment. The company highlighted a 1.2% year-over-year increase in revenue excluding fuel surcharge, a 68.2% rise in adjusted operating income, and a consolidated adjusted operating ratio improvement of 210 basis points to 94.7%. Despite these positive metrics, Knight-Swift emphasized the unpredictable market conditions and withheld guidance for the third quarter, opting to focus on short-term cost control measures and strategic asset management.

Knight Transportation Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Knight Transportation's financials show stable revenue and cash flow generation with a strong equity base and prudent debt management. However, profitability and ROE are modest, indicating room for improvement in shareholder returns.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Knight Transportation's income statement showcases solid gross and net profit margins with a Gross Profit Margin of 18.2% and a Net Profit Margin of 2.0% for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). Revenue growth appears stable, with a slight increase from the previous year, indicating consistent business performance. EBIT and EBITDA margins reflect steady operational efficiency, though there is a noticeable decline in EBIT margin from previous years. Overall, the income statement reflects a stable yet not exceptional profitability trajectory in a competitive trucking industry.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a stable financial position with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19, suggesting prudent financial leverage. Return on Equity (ROE) for TTM is modest at 2.1%, which is quite low and shows room for improvement in generating returns for shareholders. The Equity Ratio stands strong at 56.4%, indicating a robust equity base relative to total assets, providing a cushion against liabilities. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a sound financial structure but with modest shareholder returns.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Cash flow analysis shows a Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio of 0.81 for TTM, indicating a robust cash generation relative to net income, though the Free Cash Flow Growth Rate shows volatility over the years. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is high at 5.77, highlighting strong cash conversion efficiency. However, capital expenditures have been significant, impacting free cash flow. The cash flow statement presents a stable cash-generating capability but with potential pressure from capital investments.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue7.41B7.41B7.14B7.43B6.00B4.67B
Gross Profit979.80M1.03B1.25B1.77B1.41B969.12M
EBITDA1.04B1.11B1.13B1.77B1.62B1.17B
Net Income150.90M117.63M217.15M771.33M743.39M410.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets12.61B12.70B12.87B10.95B10.66B8.47B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments344.63M218.26M168.54M196.77M261.00M156.70M
Total Debt3.21B3.28B3.20B2.09B2.24B817.08M
Total Liabilities5.48B5.58B5.77B4.00B4.11B2.60B
Stockholders Equity7.11B7.11B7.09B6.95B6.53B5.87B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow121.92M-20.09M90.06M635.29M656.06M398.58M
Operating Cash Flow871.22M799.06M1.16B1.44B1.19B919.64M
Investing Cash Flow-673.59M-759.12M-1.23B-646.18M-1.82B-480.71M
Financing Cash Flow-193.48M-139.40M150.69M-754.35M779.33M-443.88M

Knight Transportation Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price45.07
Price Trends
50DMA
44.51
Positive
100DMA
44.05
Positive
200DMA
49.11
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.69
Positive
RSI
48.37
Neutral
STOCH
22.12
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KNX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 45.07 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 45.41, above the 50-day MA of 44.51, and below the 200-day MA of 49.11, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.69 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.37 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.12 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KNX.

Knight Transportation Risk Analysis

Knight Transportation disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Knight Transportation reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Knight Transportation Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$7.72B23.8414.63%8.95%-13.23%
69
Neutral
$1.82B10.4714.25%0.60%-5.69%51.78%
67
Neutral
£2.83B10.454.69%3.54%2.40%-24.48%
KNKNX
67
Neutral
$7.58B50.322.13%1.54%1.16%36.33%
66
Neutral
$4.54B36.584.20%1.51%-0.30%-20.76%
59
Neutral
$1.77B100.841.21%1.95%-7.66%-78.26%
58
Neutral
$1.07B51.172.72%1.83%-11.77%-52.06%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KNX
Knight Transportation
45.07
-5.38
-10.66%
MRTN
Marten Transport
13.15
-4.91
-27.19%
SAIA
Saia
285.78
-197.96
-40.92%
WERN
Werner Enterprises
28.02
-8.82
-23.94%
ARCB
ArcBest
78.72
-41.74
-34.65%
SNDR
Schneider National
25.15
0.54
2.19%

Knight Transportation Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knight Transportation Secures New $2.5 Billion Credit Facility
Positive
Jul 14, 2025

On July 8, 2025, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. entered into a new $2.5 billion unsecured credit facility, replacing its previous $2.3 billion credit facility and $250 million term loan. This new agreement includes a $1.5 billion revolving line of credit and two term loans, with varying maturity dates extending to 2030. The new credit facility is expected to streamline the company’s financial structure by consolidating its debt under more favorable terms, potentially enhancing its operational flexibility and financial stability.

The most recent analyst rating on (KNX) stock is a Buy with a $62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Knight Transportation stock, see the KNX Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Knight Transportation Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
May 14, 2025

On May 13, 2025, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where several key decisions were made. The stockholders elected twelve directors to serve one-year terms, approved executive compensation on an advisory basis, ratified the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025, and voted against a proposal for transparency in political spending. These decisions reflect the company’s strategic priorities and governance approach, potentially impacting its operational focus and stakeholder relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (KNX) stock is a Buy with a $62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Knight Transportation stock, see the KNX Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 16, 2025