Marten Transport Ltd (MRTN)

Quick ratio

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Cash	US$ in thousands	53,213	68,067	80,528	96,288	80,600	71,492	68,374	66,527	56,995	83,900	80,672	88,583	66,127	88,279	75,323	36,136	31,461	40,480	82,792	85,526
Short-term investments	US$ in thousands	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Receivables	US$ in thousands	115,857	129,515	122,223	123,418	127,920	129,030	142,072	131,132	105,974	105,894	97,824	93,041	87,628	83,627	96,493	104,353	101,767	88,843	90,398	89,716
Total current liabilities	US$ in thousands	110,242	121,644	131,020	119,602	124,310	125,457	130,717	109,382	93,559	152,271	106,989	97,851	89,794	87,947	87,579	91,126	76,326	84,930	85,176	79,542
Quick ratio		1.53	1.62	1.55	1.84	1.68	1.60	1.61	1.81	1.74	1.25	1.67	1.86	1.71	1.95	1.96	1.54	1.75	1.52	2.03	2.20

December 31, 2023 calculation

Quick ratio = (Cash + Short-term investments + Receivables) ÷ Total current liabilities
= ($53,213K + $—K + $115,857K) ÷ $110,242K
= 1.53

The quick ratio of Marten Transport, Ltd. has shown fluctuation over the past eight quarters. The quick ratio measures the company's ability to meet its short-term obligations with its most liquid assets. A quick ratio above 1 indicates that the company has enough liquid assets to cover its current liabilities.

In Q4 2023, the quick ratio decreased to 1.68 from 1.85 in Q3 2023, indicating a slight decline in the company's short-term liquidity position. However, the ratio remained above 1, suggesting that Marten Transport, Ltd. still has sufficient quick assets to cover its current liabilities.

Comparing Q4 2023 with the same quarter in the previous year (Q4 2022), we see a decrease from 1.81 to 1.68, indicating a potential weakening of the company's ability to meet its short-term obligations from its liquid assets.

Overall, although there have been fluctuations in the quick ratio of Marten Transport, Ltd. over the past eight quarters, the company has generally maintained a quick ratio above 1, suggesting that it has been able to meet its short-term obligations comfortably. It is important for the company to closely monitor its quick ratio to ensure it continues to have sufficient liquidity to cover its current liabilities.