Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) vs ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX) has outperformed ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO) over the past year, gaining 44.0% versus a gain of 5.6%. Over five years, KNX leads with a +31.5% price change compared with -35.5% for ZTO. ZTO Express (Cayman) is the larger company by market cap ($15.07 billion vs $10.49 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, ZTO Express (Cayman) trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 16.0x for Knight-Swift Transportation). ZTO Express (Cayman) offers the higher dividend yield (13.29% vs 1.18%). ZTO Express (Cayman) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.5% versus 0.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | KNX | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $64.47 | $20.15 |
| Market cap | $10.49B | $15.07B |
| 1-day change | -0.89% | +1.26% |
| YTD return | +23.32% | -3.54% |
| 1-year return | +44.03% | +5.61% |
| 5-year return | +31.52% | -35.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 238.78 | 10.83 |
| Forward P/E | 16.02 | 9.00 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.27 | $1.86 |
| Dividend yield | 1.18% | 13.29% |
| Annual dividend | $0.76 | $2.68 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.47B | $7.02B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.80% | +15.74% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $65.95M | $1.30B |
| Gross margin | — | 24.99% |
| Operating margin | 2.89% | 21.33% |
| Net margin | 0.88% | 18.49% |
| 52-week high | $82.86 | $26.20 |
| 52-week low | $41.24 | $18.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.19% | -23.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +34.33% | +37.97% |
| Average volume | 3.61M | 2.26M |
| Shares outstanding | 162.76M | 541.93M |
| Employees | 37,100 | 23,888 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Trucking Freight/Courier Services | Trucking Freight/Courier Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- KNX has outperformed ZTO by 38.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Knight-Swift Transportation trades at a higher earnings multiple (238.8x vs 10.8x trailing P/E).
- ZTO Express (Cayman) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (13.29% vs 1.18%).
- ZTO Express (Cayman) is more profitable, keeping 18.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 0.9 cents for Knight-Swift Transportation.
- ZTO Express (Cayman) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+15.74% vs +0.80%).
About Knight-Swift Transportation
KNX stock →Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a freight transportation company in the United States and Mexico. The company operates through four segments: Truckload, LTL, Logistics, and Intermodal.
Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 37,100 employees
About ZTO Express (Cayman)
ZTO stock →ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. provides express delivery and other value-added logistics services in the People's Republic of China.
Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 23,888 employees
KNX vs ZTO FAQ
Which is bigger, Knight-Swift Transportation or ZTO Express (Cayman)?
ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $15.07B compared with $10.49B for Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KNX or ZTO?
KNX returned +44.03% over the past 12 months, compared with +5.61% for ZTO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KNX or ZTO?
ZTO has the lower trailing P/E at 10.8, versus 238.8 for KNX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Knight-Swift Transportation or ZTO Express (Cayman)?
ZTO Express (Cayman) has the higher yield at 13.29%, compared with 1.18% for Knight-Swift Transportation.
Are Knight-Swift Transportation and ZTO Express (Cayman) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Trucking Freight/Courier Services industry within the Industrials sector.