Matson (NYSE:MATX) Stock Lifted to Strong-Buy by Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen upgraded Matson to “strong-buy” from “hold.” Overall, analysts give the stock a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating, with an average price target of $259.25.
• Matson reported quarterly EPS of $6.96, beating the $6.27 estimate, and revenue of $1.11 billion, above expectations and up 26.5% year over year.
• Management expects fourth-quarter operating income to rise about 50%, with elevated China freight rates expected to continue into early 2027.

Matson (NYSE:MATX - Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report issued on Saturday, Wall Street Zen reports.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Matson from $270.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Zacks Research cut Matson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Matson from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. Stephens upped their price target on Matson from $270.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Freedom Broker assumed coverage on Matson in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. They set a "buy" rating and a $260.00 target price on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Matson currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $259.25.

Matson Stock Down 1.1%

MATX stock opened at $211.62 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.77 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Matson has a 1-year low of $101.98 and a 1-year high of $240.87. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $227.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $194.38.

Matson (NYSE:MATX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 4th. The shipping company reported $6.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.27 by $0.69. The business had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.07 billion. Matson had a net margin of 13.41% and a return on equity of 16.94%. The company's revenue was up 26.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.24 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Matson will post 16.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Matson

In related news, EVP Peter Heilmann sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.15, for a total value of $1,100,750.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 20,506 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,514,395.90. This trade represents a 19.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Ku‘uhaku Park sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.49, for a total value of $208,490.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 9,984 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,081,564.16. The trade was a 9.10% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 12,462 shares of company stock valued at $2,695,832 in the last quarter. 2.51% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Matson

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Provenance Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Matson during the third quarter worth $25,000. Allworth Financial LP bought a new stake in Matson in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in Matson in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Matson during the 2nd quarter worth $44,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Matson in the third quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.76% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Matson

Here are the key news stories impacting Matson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 EPS was $6.96, beating the $6.27 consensus estimate, while revenue of $1.11 billion exceeded expectations and rose 26.5% year over year. China service strength contributed to the results. Matson Q3 2026: China Service Drives an 11% EPS Beat and Bullish Q4 Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects Q4 operating income to be about 50% higher, with elevated China freight rates expected to persist into early 2027—supporting expectations for continued earnings strength. Matson expects Q4 operating income about 50% higher
• Positive Sentiment: Stephens raised its price target from $270 to $300 and maintained an Overweight rating, signaling increased analyst optimism. Stephens stock recommendations
• Neutral Sentiment: Call highlights pointed to China demand, port congestion, and e-commerce as factors supporting performance, though the reports do not explain why the stock has recently traded lower. Matson Earnings Call Highlights China Strength and Cash Flow

About Matson

Matson, Inc is a transportation and logistics company that provides ocean shipping and supply chain services. Through its Matson Navigation subsidiary, the company transports containerized and bulk cargo, automobiles and other goods between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia and selected South Pacific destinations. Matson also operates services linking the U.S. West Coast with China, Japan and South Korea.

The company serves a broad range of customers, including retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, government agencies and individual consumers.

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