Heartland Express, Inc. reports recurring developments for a nationwide asset-based truckload carrier focused on dry van transportation services. Company news centers on quarterly operating revenue, net income or loss, operating ratio, cash flow, fleet utilization, lane selection, debt and finance lease reductions, equipment activity, and operating cost controls across its transportation operations.
Recurring updates also cover regular cash dividends, common stock repurchases, driver retention, freight demand and pricing commentary, and integration work across operating brands including Heartland Express, Millis Transfer, Smith Transport, and CFI. The company has reported the completed consolidation of CFI's domestic operations into Heartland Express and related operating-system and rebranding initiatives.
Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) will participate in Baird’s 2026 Global Industrial Conference on November 12, 2026. Chief Financial Officer Chris Strain will present and participate at the conference. Information presented may include forward-looking statements.
Heartland Express (HTLD) returned to profitability in the third quarter of 2026, reporting net income of $1.0 million. Revenue fell to $179.5 million from $196.5 million a year earlier, while basic earnings per share improved to $0.01 from a loss of $0.11. The operating ratio, operating expenses divided by revenue, improved to 98.7% from 103.7%.
Nine-month revenue declined to $539.9 million from $626.4 million, but net income reached $6.7 million versus a $33.0 million loss. Debt and finance lease repayments totaled $59.9 million, leaving $99.9 million of debt at September 30. Cash rose to $48.5 million from $18.5 million at year-end. Heartland expects the positive effects of ongoing contract negotiations to be fully reflected only in 2027. For the remainder of 2026, it expects approximately $2 million to $5 million in net capital expenditures and $9 million to $13 million in equipment and property disposal gains.
Heartland Express (HTLD) declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable October 7, 2026 to shareholders of record on September 25, 2026.
The company estimates a total dividend payout of $1.5 million on approximately 77 million common shares. This represents Heartland’s 93rd consecutive quarterly cash dividend. Cumulatively, the company will have paid $566.1 million in cash dividends since initiating its dividend program in the third quarter of 2003, including four special dividends.
Heartland Express (HTLD) will participate in the Morgan Stanley 14th Annual Laguna Conference on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with Chief Financial Officer Chris Strain representing the company.
Heartland Express is an irregular route truckload carrier based in North Liberty, Iowa, serving regional freight customers across the United States and Mexico. Information presented at the conference may include forward-looking statements made by the company.
Heartland Express (HTLD) has received Logistics Management Magazine’s 2026 Quest for Quality Award in the Expedited Motor Carriers category, its twenty-first win in the past twenty-three years.
The award is based on reader evaluations of carriers across five criteria: On-Time Performance, Value, Information Technology, Customer Service, and Equipment & Operations. The company’s CEO highlighted the role of its drivers, support staff, safety record, maintenance program, and investments in a modern fleet in delivering dependable, on-time service across regional shipping lanes in the United States and Mexico.
Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) reported Q2 2026 operating revenue of $184.1 million (vs. $210.4 million in Q2 2025) and net income of $10.6 million versus a prior-year net loss of $10.9 million. Basic EPS was $0.14 compared to a loss of $(0.14).
The Q2 2026 operating ratio improved to 91.0% from 105.9%, with a non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio of 88.3%. For the first six months of 2026, operating revenue was $360.4 million (vs. $429.8 million), net income was $5.8 million (vs. $(24.7) million), and operating income was $13.3 million (vs. $(27.3) million). As of June 30, 2026, cash increased to $62.4 million, acquisition-related debt and finance lease obligations declined to $135 million from $494 million in 2022, and stockholders’ equity was $756.3 million. The company generated $36.0 million in operating cash flow, paid $3.1 million in dividends, repurchased $2.3 million of stock, and plans 2026 net capital expenditures of $8–$14 million with expected gains on asset disposals of $13–$19 million, according to Heartland Express.
Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on July 6, 2026 to shareholders of record on June 23, 2026.
The company expects to pay about $1.6 million, marking its 92nd consecutive quarterly dividend and totaling $564.5 million since 2003.
Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced that CFO Chris Strain will participate in the Wolfe Research 19th Annual Global Transportation and Industrials Conference on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in New York.
The company will join a panel discussion from 2:05 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. ET and host investor meetings.
Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) reported Q1 2026 results: operating revenue $176.3M, net loss $4.8M (basic loss per share $0.06), and an operating ratio of 101.9% (101.3% non-GAAP adjusted).
Cash was $44.5M, total assets $1.18B, stockholders' equity $749.0M, and acquisition-related debt reduced to $149.9M; Smith Transport acquisition debt eliminated.
Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable April 3, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business March 24, 2026. The company estimates a total payout of $1.6 million on approximately seventy-eight million shares.
This marks Heartland Express' ninety-first consecutive quarterly cash dividend and brings cumulative cash dividends paid to $563.0 million since the program began in Q3 2003.