Matson, Inc. (MATX)

Matson, Inc. (MATX) Industrial Operations Profile

Matson, Inc. is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services, specializing in serving the unique needs of non-contiguous markets like Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. The company differentiates itself through its expedited China-to-Long Beach service and comprehensive terminal services, positioning it as a key player in the marine shipping industry.

What Is the Investment Thesis for MATX?

Matson, Inc. presents a compelling investment case based on its established presence in niche markets and diversified service offerings. The company's focus on serving the non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam provides a degree of insulation from broader market volatility. Key value drivers include sustained demand in these markets, operational efficiencies, and strategic investments in its fleet and infrastructure. The company's P/E ratio of 14.0 and a profit margin of 12.9% suggest a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings potential. Upcoming catalysts include potential infrastructure development projects in its key markets and expansion of its logistics services. Potential risks include economic downturns in its primary markets and increased competition from other shipping companies.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

MATX Key Highlights

• Market Cap of $6.09B reflecting investor confidence in Matson's market position.
• P/E Ratio of 14.0 indicates a potentially undervalued stock relative to its earnings.
• Profit Margin of 12.9% demonstrates the company's ability to generate profit from its revenue.
• Gross Margin of 18.4% reflects the efficiency of Matson's operations.
• Beta of 1.33 suggests that the stock is more volatile than the market.

Who Are MATX's Competitors?

MATX is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are MATX's Key Strengths?

• Dominant market share in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.
• Integrated ocean transportation and logistics services.
• Strong relationships with key customers.
• Experienced management team.

What Are MATX's Weaknesses?

• Reliance on specific geographic markets.
• Exposure to fluctuations in fuel prices.
• Capital-intensive business model.
• Sensitivity to economic conditions in its primary markets.

What Could Drive MATX Stock Higher?

• Potential infrastructure development projects in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.
• Expansion of logistics services.
• Increased demand for expedited shipping due to e-commerce growth.
• Technological innovation to improve operational efficiency.

What Are the Key Risks for MATX?

• Insider selling — insiders were net sellers of roughly $9.0M recently.
• Economic downturns in its primary markets (Hawaii, Alaska, Guam).
• Increased competition from other shipping companies.
• Fluctuations in fuel prices.
• Regulatory changes impacting the marine shipping industry.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for MATX?

• Expansion of Logistics Services: Matson can capitalize on the growing demand for multimodal transportation and supply chain management services. The global logistics market is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2027, presenting a significant opportunity for Matson to expand its service offerings and customer base. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Infrastructure Development in Key Markets: Increased government spending on infrastructure projects in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam could drive demand for Matson's ocean transportation services. These projects often require the transportation of large quantities of building materials and equipment, benefiting Matson's core business. Timeline: Upcoming.
• Enhanced Expedited Services: Matson's expedited service from China to Long Beach offers a competitive advantage in the time-sensitive cargo market. Expanding this service to other key trade lanes could attract new customers and increase revenue. The demand for expedited shipping is driven by e-commerce and just-in-time inventory management. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Technological Innovation: Investing in advanced technologies such as automation and data analytics can improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Implementing smart container technology and optimizing vessel routes can enhance fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Strategic Acquisitions: Matson could pursue strategic acquisitions to expand its service offerings and geographic reach. Acquiring smaller logistics companies or specialized transportation providers could complement its existing business and create synergies. Timeline: Potential.

What Opportunities Does MATX Have?

• Expansion of logistics services.
• Infrastructure development in key markets.
• Enhanced expedited services.
• Technological innovation.

What Threats Does MATX Face?

• Increased competition from other shipping companies.
• Economic downturns in its primary markets.
• Regulatory changes.
• Geopolitical risks.

What Are MATX's Competitive Advantages?

• Established presence in niche markets (Hawaii, Alaska, Guam).
• Integrated ocean transportation and logistics services.
• Expedited China-to-Long Beach service.
• Strong relationships with key customers.

What Does MATX Do?

Founded in 1882 and headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, Matson, Inc. has evolved from its origins as Alexander & Baldwin Holdings, Inc. into a prominent ocean transportation and logistics company. The company operates through two primary segments: Ocean Transportation and Logistics. The Ocean Transportation segment focuses on providing ocean freight services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as other island economies in Micronesia. This includes transporting a diverse range of goods, from dry containers of mixed commodities to refrigerated items, building materials, automobiles, and household goods. Matson also operates an expedited service from China to Long Beach, California, and various islands in the South Pacific, including Okinawa, Japan. The Logistics segment offers multimodal transportation brokerage services, encompassing domestic and international rail intermodal, long-haul and regional highway trucking, specialized hauling, and freight forwarding services. Matson serves a diverse clientele, including the U.S. military, freight forwarders, retailers, consumer goods companies, and automobile manufacturers.

What Products and Services Does MATX Offer?

• Provides ocean freight transportation services to Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.
• Transports dry and refrigerated commodities, building materials, and automobiles.
• Operates an expedited service from China to Long Beach, California.
• Offers container stevedoring and terminal services.
• Provides multimodal transportation brokerage services.
• Offers warehousing and distribution services.
• Provides supply chain management services.

How Does MATX Make Money?

• Generates revenue from ocean freight transportation services.
• Earns fees from container stevedoring and terminal services.
• Receives commissions from multimodal transportation brokerage services.
• Charges for warehousing and distribution services.

What Industry Does MATX Operate In?

Matson, Inc. operates within the marine shipping industry, a sector characterized by cyclical demand and sensitivity to global economic conditions. The industry is influenced by factors such as trade volumes, fuel prices, and regulatory changes. Matson's focus on serving the non-contiguous U.S. markets provides a degree of stability compared to companies solely reliant on international trade routes. Competitors include companies like Seaboard Corporation (SEB) and Cmb.Tech NV (CMBT), which also offer marine transportation services. The industry is currently experiencing increased demand due to supply chain disruptions and e-commerce growth.

Who Are MATX's Key Customers?

• U.S. Military
• Freight Forwarders
• Retailers
• Consumer Goods Companies
• Automobile Manufacturers

MATX Valuation & Market Position

With a $6.09B market cap, Matson, Inc. sits in the mid-cap segment of the market. Relative to its peer group, MATX's quantitative score of 85/100 is above the peer average of 65/100.

FY2026 estForward Outlook

Wall Street analysts project Matson, Inc. revenue of about $3.43B for fiscal 2026, with EPS near $14.48.

F-Score 6/9Financial Health

Matson, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 6/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 3.81 places it in the safe zone, indicating low near-term bankruptcy risk.

ROE 16%Key Financial Metrics

Return on equity for Matson, Inc. stands at 15.9%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is 9.4%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. MATX trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 13.97, below the Industrials sector average of ~30x. Its free cash flow yield is 7.0%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 0.82 means current liabilities exceed short-term assets, a liquidity point worth watching. Its earnings yield is 7.1%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.

Net sellingInsider Activity

Over the past six months, Matson, Inc. insiders filed 30 SEC Form 4 transactions — 24 sales and 6 purchases. On net that is roughly 47K shares disposed (about $9.0M), a signal worth weighing alongside the fundamentals.

MATX Financials

MATX Latest News

MATX Analyst Consensus

MATX MoonshotScore

Latest Matson, Inc. Analysis

MATX Industrials Stock FAQ

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Official Resources