Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) sets $0.02 quarterly cash dividend

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Heartland Express, Inc. announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share. The dividend will be paid on April 3, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2026.

The Company estimates a total payout of about $1.6 million on approximately seventy-eight million common shares. This marks its ninety-first consecutive quarterly cash dividend, bringing total cash dividends paid since the program began in the third quarter of 2003 to $563.0 million, including four special dividends.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

--------------------------------------------------------------

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

March 13, 2026

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HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada			000-15087			93-0926999
(State or other Jurisdiction			(Commission			(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)			File Number)			Identification No.)

901 HEARTLAND WAY,

NORTH LIBERTY,

IA

52317

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(319) 645-7060

Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code):

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class			Trading Symbol(s)			Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value			HTLD			NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01. OTHER EVENTS

On March 13, 2026, Heartland Express, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend. A copy of the press release issued by the Company is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)     Exhibits

    

EXHIBIT
NUMBER			EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99.1			Press release issued by the Company on March 13, 2026, announcing the
			declaration of a quarterly cash dividend.
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File

The information in this report and the exhibit hereto may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements are made based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events may differ from those anticipated by forward-looking statements. Please refer to the paragraph at the end of the attached press release and various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information concerning risk, uncertainties, and other factors that may affect future results.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

Date:

March 17, 2026

By:/s/Christopher A. Strain

Christopher A. Strain

Vice President-Finance,

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Friday March 13, 2026, For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend

NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA – March 13, 2026 - The Board of Directors of Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today the declaration of a regular quarterly cash dividend. The $0.02 per share dividend will be paid on April 3, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2026. We currently estimate that a total of $1.6 million will be paid on the Company's approximate seventy-eight million shares of common stock. This is the Company's ninety-first consecutive quarterly cash dividend. With the payment of this dividend, the Company will have paid a total of $563.0 million in cash dividends, including four special dividends since the dividend program was implemented in the third quarter of 2003.

The press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are based on information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual events may differ from these expectations as specified from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to the extent it becomes aware that it will not be achieved for any reason.

For further information contact

Michael J. Gerdin, CEO

Christopher A. Strain, CFO

Heartland Express, Inc.

319-645-7060

FAQ

What dividend did Heartland Express (HTLD) declare in March 2026?

Heartland Express declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share. The Board approved this payout as part of its ongoing dividend program, continuing its long-standing practice of returning cash to shareholders through consistent quarterly distributions.

When will Heartland Express (HTLD) pay the March 2026 dividend?

The $0.02 per share dividend will be paid on April 3, 2026. Shareholders must be on record at the close of business on March 24, 2026, to receive the payment on that scheduled pay date.

How much will Heartland Express (HTLD) pay in total dividends for this quarter?

Heartland Express estimates a total dividend payment of about $1.6 million. This figure is based on the company’s approximate seventy-eight million shares of common stock outstanding that are eligible to receive the $0.02 per share quarterly dividend.

How long has Heartland Express (HTLD) been paying consecutive quarterly dividends?

This is Heartland Express’s ninety-first consecutive quarterly cash dividend. The company’s dividend program began in the third quarter of 2003 and has continued without interruption, reflecting a long-term pattern of regular cash returns to shareholders.

What is the total amount of dividends Heartland Express (HTLD) has paid since 2003?

Heartland Express has paid a total of $563.0 million in cash dividends. This cumulative figure includes regular quarterly dividends and four special dividends since the dividend program was launched in the third quarter of 2003.

Does the Heartland Express (HTLD) press release include forward-looking statements?

Yes, the press release may contain forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current information, and actual results can differ, as described in the company’s SEC filings and other public disclosures.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 3.8 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 21.6 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.3 KB