NASDAQ$HTLD
Heartland Express Inc · Q1 2024 earnings
Q1 2024 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
Heartland Express reported a net loss for Q1 2024 due to weak freight demand and operating cost inflation, while focusing on cost reduction and debt repayment.
Heartland Express reported a net loss of $15.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to a net income of $12.6 million in the same period last year. The results were impacted by weak freight demand, unfavorable weather, and operating cost inflation. The company is focused on improving operating effectiveness through cost reductions, debt repayment, and improved driver utilization.
- Operating revenue decreased to $270.3 million from $330.9 million year-over-year.
- Net loss was $15.1 million, compared to a net income of $12.6 million in the first quarter of 2023.
- Basic loss per share was $0.19, compared to earnings per share of $0.16 in the same period last year.
- The company repaid $36.7 million of acquisition-related debt during the quarter.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
Heartland Express · Revenue · Quarterly
$270M
Revenue by segment
Heartland Express · $19.5M total across 1 segment · Q1 2020
- Fuel Surcharge$19.5M+14.7%100.0%
Forward guidance
Heartland Express anticipates improvements through cost reduction and debt management, but acknowledges ongoing headwinds from interest expenses and market capacity.
Tailwinds
- Continued internal efforts to improve operating effectiveness through cost reductions.
- Focus on purchasing scale and information systems projects to improve driver utilization.
- Commitment to on-time service.
- Prioritization of capital to reduce acquisition-related debt.
- Investment in compensation strategies to support professional drivers.
Headwinds
- Extended period of weak freight demand due to excess capacity in the industry.
- Unfavorable weather early in the quarter impacted results.
- Ongoing operating cost inflation.
- Interest expense is a significant headwind to financial results.
- Freight market conditions remain challenging.
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2024
-0.2%
Avg return
Earnings day
-0.1%
Avg return
5 days after
+1.4%
Avg return
30 days after
46%
32 / 69 earnings
Positive
+12.7%
Q2 2018
Best reaction
-14.0%
Q3 2023
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | -2.4% | +10.2% | +19.3% | |
| Q4 2025 | +3.1% | +6.5% | +0.4% | |
| Q3 2025 | -1.1% | -3.1% | -1.9% | |
| Q2 2025 | -1.4% | +0.0% | +0.5% | |
| Q1 2025 | +1.3% | +9.1% | +3.6% | |
| Q4 2024 | -2.2% | -3.1% | -13.7% | |
| Q3 2024 | -3.0% | -4.1% | +10.4% | |
| Q2 2024 | +2.7% | +5.7% | -2.2% | |
| Q1 2024 | +0.5% | +0.8% | +10.2% | |
| Q4 2023 | -1.7% | -4.1% | -4.8% | |
| Q3 2023 | -14.0% | -18.9% | -7.8% | |
| Q2 2023 | -7.8% | -7.5% | -9.8% | |
| Q1 2023 | -0.1% | +0.2% | +8.6% | |
| Q4 2022 | -7.2% | -7.5% | -4.2% | |
| Q3 2022 | -8.0% | -7.2% | +9.8% | |
| Q2 2022 | +5.1% | +9.0% | +10.4% | |
| Q1 2022 | +3.9% | +4.7% | +1.5% | |
| Q4 2021 | -0.7% | -1.3% | -8.9% | |
| Q3 2021 | +1.7% | +2.5% | +6.6% | |
| Q2 2021 | -1.1% | -0.7% | -0.8% | |
| Q1 2021 | -2.7% | -5.6% | -6.8% | |
| Q4 2020 | +1.9% | +3.0% | -1.5% | |
| Q3 2020 | -7.7% | -6.3% | -6.7% | |
| Q2 2020 | +6.3% | +3.2% | -0.6% | |
| Q1 2020 | +1.6% | +5.9% | +8.1% | |
| Q4 2019 | -4.1% | -6.8% | -1.9% | |
| Q3 2019 | -6.4% | -2.4% | -4.0% | |
| Q2 2019 | +7.0% | +6.5% | +5.7% | |
| Q1 2019 | +5.9% | +4.8% | +1.3% | |
| Q4 2018 | -1.0% | -0.5% | +5.0% | |
| Q3 2018 | +5.6% | +1.3% | +6.9% | |
| Q2 2018 | +12.7% | +7.0% | +7.2% | |
| Q1 2018 | +1.1% | -0.4% | +5.1% | |
| Q4 2017 | +3.5% | -0.4% | -6.5% | |
| Q3 2017 | -11.0% | -12.2% | -11.3% | |
| Q2 2017 | -2.0% | -1.0% | +5.5% | |
| Q1 2017 | +5.3% | +6.0% | -1.3% | |
| Q4 2016 | -2.0% | -0.7% | -0.5% | |
| Q3 2016 | -0.7% | -0.2% | +18.2% | |
| Q2 2016 | +2.7% | +2.6% | +6.4% | |
| Q1 2016 | +9.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | +4.6% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | -12.7% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | +10.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | -5.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | -4.9% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | -3.8% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | +8.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | -3.6% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | +0.9% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | +2.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | -0.1% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | +0.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | +4.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | +0.4% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | -0.1% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | +1.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | -0.9% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | -1.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | -7.4% | — | — | |
| Q1 2010 | -2.8% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | +1.8% | — | — | |
| Q4 2008 | -2.4% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -2.4% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | -0.7% | — | — | |
| Q3 2009 | -0.7% | — | — | |
| Q2 2010 | +1.5% | — | — | |
| Q2 2009 | +1.5% | — | — | |
| Q4 2009 | +1.5% | — | — |
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