Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD) vs Transcat, Inc. (TRNS)

A side-by-side comparison of Heartland Express, Inc. and Transcat, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — HTLD vs TRNS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
HTLD -32.0% (-3.8%/yr)TRNS +783.6% (+24.3%/yr)TRNS compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$68$884
HTLD TRNS

HTLD vs TRNS: by the numbers

  • •HTLD is the larger company ($878M vs $841M market cap).
  • •TRNS is profitable (0.99% net margin) while HTLD runs a net loss (-2.98%).
  • •TRNS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.83% vs 3.35% CAGR).
  • •HTLD pays a dividend (0.51% yield), while TRNS has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHTLDTRNS
P/E ratioN/A242.70
Forward P/E69.33N/A
P/S ratio1.192.41
P/B ratio1.162.77
EV / EBITDA10.1825.69
FCF yieldN/A3.01%

Profitability

MetricHTLDTRNS
Gross margin7.49%32.50%
Operating margin-6.67%3.02%
Net margin-2.98%0.99%
ROE-2.90%1.14%
ROIC-4.63%1.42%

Dividends

MetricHTLDTRNS
Dividend yield0.51%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricHTLDTRNS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.35%13.83%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A-11.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A10.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-5.79%6.24%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, HTLD or TRNS?
Over the past five years, TRNS grew revenue faster — HTLD at a 3.35% CAGR versus TRNS at 13.83%.
Does HTLD or TRNS pay a bigger dividend?
HTLD pays a dividend (0.51% yield), while TRNS has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is HTLD or TRNS more profitable?
TRNS runs the higher net margin — HTLD at -2.98% versus TRNS at 0.99%.
How have HTLD and TRNS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, HTLD delivered -4.11% and TRNS delivered 23.86% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.