NASDAQ$HTLD

Heartland Express Inc · Q3 2021 earnings

Q3 2021 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Reported revenues and earnings for the third quarter of 2021.

Heartland Express reported a strong third quarter with improved operating income and cost control, resulting in an operating ratio of 78.2% and a non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio of 75.0%. Net income increased by 18.1% to $24.5 million, and basic earnings per share were $0.31.

  • Net income reached $24.5 million, with basic earnings per share at $0.31.
  • Operating revenue totaled $152.6 million.
  • Operating income amounted to $33.3 million.
  • The company maintained a strong cash balance of $180.4 million and total assets of $958.3 million, along with a debt-free balance sheet.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$153M

Previous: $162M-6.0%
EPS (adj)

$0.31

Previous: $0.25+24.0%
Operating Ratio

78.2%

Previous: 83.2%-6.0%
Net Loss Margin

16.0%

Previous: 12.8%+25.0%
Capital Expenditures

-$93.2M

Previous: -$164M+43.1%
Free Cash Flow

-$68.7M

Previous: -$143M+52.0%
Net Income

$24.5M

Previous: $20.7M+18.1%
Operating Income

$33.3M

Previous: $27.3M+21.7%
Gross Profit

$147M

Previous: $155M-5.1%
Cash & Equivalents

$180M

Previous: $81.9M+120.3%
Total Assets

$958M

Previous: $960M-0.2%
Stock-Based Comp

$200K

Previous: $100K+100.0%

Revenue & EPS history

Heartland Express · Revenue · Quarterly

$153M

Q3 2021-6%vs Q3 2020
Beat estimate in 9 of 16 quarters(56%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Heartland Express · $19.5M total across 1 segment · Q1 2020

  • Fuel Surcharge
    $19.5M+14.7%

Forward guidance

Freight demand is expected to remain strong through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022, while challenges in hiring and retaining employees are anticipated to persist across the industry.

Tailwinds

  • Freight demand is expected to remain strong for the remainder of 2021 and well into 2022.
  • Company will continue to invest in drivers.
  • Company will invest in the fleet of revenue equipment.
  • Company will invest in terminal locations.
  • Company will invest in technology.

Headwinds

  • Hiring and retention of employees has reached unprecedented challenge across the industry.
  • Customers have had to navigate their own employment related disruptions.
  • Shared challenge of hiring and retaining both drivers and other supply chain critical employees will continue in the year ahead.
  • Increase wages.
  • Enhanced the compensation features for our drivers multiple times in the last twelve months.

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 Q3 2021

Historical avgQ3 2021

-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

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (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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