Heartland Express Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

Net loss narrowed to $4.8 million: Operating revenue was $176.3 million, against $219.4 million a year earlier. Basic loss per share was $0.06, against $0.18 in the first quarter of 2025. Source
Operating ratio fell to 101.9%: Operating ratio was 101.9% against 106.8% in the first quarter of 2025. Non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio was 101.3% against 107.1%. Management noted sequential adjusted improvement in each quarter since then. Source
Industry capacity cuts under way: Management said it has begun to see signs of industry capacity reduction and freight demand improvement. Source
Acquisition debt down to $149.9 million: Debt and finance leases were $149.9 million, down from $159.8 million at December 31, 2025 and from the initial $447.3 million for the CFI acquisition. Source
Operating cash flow was $23.2 million: Operating cash flow was 13.1% of operating revenue. Management said it used this cash to invest in equipment, drivers and terminals and to reduce debt. Source
Capex and disposal gains guided for 2026: Management expects net capital expenditures of $10 to $20 million and gains on disposal of $25 to $35 million for calendar 2026. Source

“We believe that meaningful improvements in freight demand and freight pricing have started, but may not fully materialize until later in 2026.”
Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

Area	Period	Figure	Against last quarter
Net capital expenditures Source	calendar year 2026	approximately $10 to $20 million	New
Gains on disposal of property and equipment Source	calendar year 2026	$25 to $35 million	New
Operating ratio goal Source	long-term	85.0% or lower
Share repurchase capacity Source	current authorization	4.8 million shares	Kept

What changed from last quarter

New guidance: The release gives 2026 ranges for net capital expenditures and gains on disposal. The prior release contained no such figures. Source
Ended: Smith Transport acquisition-related debt and equipment leases are fully retired. The prior release showed $7.9 million of Smith equipment financing at December 31, 2025. Source
Guidance kept: Repurchase capacity of 4.8 million shares under the current authorization is the same as in the prior release. Source

Results and operating ratio

Net loss narrowed to $4.8 million: Operating revenue was $176.3 million, against $219.4 million a year earlier. Basic loss per share was $0.06, against $0.18 in the first quarter of 2025. Source
Operating ratio fell to 101.9%: Operating ratio was 101.9% against 106.8% in the first quarter of 2025. Non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio was 101.3% against 107.1%. Management noted sequential adjusted improvement in each quarter since then. Source
March ran better than January and February: Management said March had higher freight volumes and better driver utilization than the start of the quarter, with industry capacity reductions cited as a factor. Source

Freight demand and capacity

Industry capacity cuts under way: Management said it has begun to see signs of industry capacity reduction and freight demand improvement. Source
Freight pricing improvement has started: Management said meaningful improvement in freight demand and freight pricing has started, without giving a timeline for full recovery. Source
Driver utilization and mileage focus: Management said operational efforts remain on driver utilization, reduction of unproductive miles and other cost control. Source

“Despite the operating loss during the quarter, we continued to have positive cash flows from operations to invest in our fleet, drivers, terminal infrastructure, and to reduce remaining acquisition-related debt”
Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer

Costs and fuel

Driver and rent costs fell: Salaries, wages and benefits were $69.1 million against $93.2 million. Rent and purchased transportation were $10.5 million against $14.3 million. Source
Fuel surcharge revenue declined: Fuel surcharge revenue was $22.4 million against $26.3 million. Fuel expense was $32.7 million against $37.9 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
Depreciation and other costs lower: Depreciation and amortization was $35.2 million against $41.6 million. Other operating expenses were $9.2 million against $12.8 million. Source

CFI consolidation and customers

Drivers retained through CFI transition: Management said it was pleased with driver retention during the transition after the domestic CFI operations were consolidated. Source
More freight open to former CFI fleet: Management said it has identified freight options that were not previously available to CFI, as a result of the consolidation. Source
Customer carrier awards received: Among the awards listed was the Pepsico Transportation 2025 Carrier of the Year award for the WHD West Division. Unilever and Newsweek recognitions were also listed. Source

Debt and liquidity

Acquisition debt down to $149.9 million: Debt and finance leases were $149.9 million, down from $159.8 million at December 31, 2025 and from the initial $447.3 million for the CFI acquisition. Source
Cash balance rose $26.0 million: Cash was $44.5 million, up from $18.5 million at year end. No borrowings were outstanding under the unsecured line of credit. Source
Credit line availability unchanged: Available line of credit capacity was $88.8 million after $11.2 million of letters of credit, the same as at December 31, 2025. Source

Cash flow, capex and returns

Operating cash flow was $23.2 million: Operating cash flow was 13.1% of operating revenue. Management said it used this cash to invest in equipment, drivers and terminals and to reduce debt. Source
Capex and disposal gains guided for 2026: Management expects net capital expenditures of $10 to $20 million and gains on disposal of $25 to $35 million for calendar 2026. Source
Regular dividend of $0.02 paid: The regular dividend of $0.02 per share was declared in the first quarter and paid on April 3, 2026. Shares outstanding were 77.5 million at March 31, 2026. Source

Fleet and equipment

Tractor fleet age unchanged: The average consolidated tractor age was 2.6 years at both March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025. Source
Trailer fleet slightly younger: The average consolidated trailer age was 7.3 years at March 31, 2026, against 7.4 years a year earlier. Source
Equipment disposal gains rose: Gain on disposal of property and equipment was $7.3 million in the quarter, against $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 April 2026

Excess trailer disposals as used market improves: Management expects to keep disposing of excess trailers as used-equipment market conditions improve. Source
Remaining CFI debt to be eliminated: Management said it continues to focus on eliminating the remaining CFI acquisition-related debt. No date was given in this release. Source

Figures management reported

Figure	Reported
Operating ratio Source	101.9%
Adjusted operating ratio Source	101.3%
Fuel expense Source	32,738 (in thousands)
Average tractor age Source	2.6 years
Average trailer age Source	7.3 years

Risks management discussed

Demand: Management said meaningful improvement in freight demand and pricing may not fully materialize until later in 2026. Source
External: Management cited normal seasonality together with significant negative weather events as the cause of challenged January and February results. Source
External: Management cited higher fuel prices, compared with the start of the quarter and the 2025 quarter, as a headwind to results. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

Met: Management said the previously announced consolidation was completed in the first quarter, including corporate and tractor rebranding. Source
Not stated: Management said the company continues its commitment to stockholders through cash dividends. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.

As filed with the SEC

Open the filing on EDGAR

April 23, 2026 For Immediate Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Operating Results for the First Quarter of 2026

NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA - April 23, 2026 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

Three months ended March 31, 2026:

Operating Revenue of $176.3 million,
Net Loss of $4.8 million ($0.06 Basic Loss per Share),
Operating Ratio of 101.9% (a 490bp improvement to Q1 2025) and 101.3% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio,
Acquisition-related debt and finance lease obligations reduced from $494.1 million in 2022 to $149.9 million,
Smith Transport debt and equipment leases eliminated,
Total Assets of $1.2 billion, including $44.5 million of Cash,
Stockholders' Equity of $749.0 million.

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Mike Gerdin commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, "Our consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2026, reflect significant operating ratio improvement (101.9%) as compared to the first quarter of 2025 (106.8%) and sequential non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio improvement in each quarter since the first quarter of 2025. We are pleased with our operational improvements as we continue toward our foundational goal of an operating ratio of 85.0% or lower. Results for January and February 2026 were challenged by the combination of normal seasonality along with significant negative weather events. Results for March 2026 were better, reflecting improved freight volumes and driver utilization compared to the beginning of the quarter due to ongoing industry capacity reductions and more favorable weather patterns. The positive variables in March 2026 were partially offset by a headwind of higher fuel prices as compared to the beginning of the quarter and the 2025 quarter. Despite the operating loss during the quarter, we continued to have positive cash flows from operations to invest in our fleet, drivers, terminal infrastructure, and to reduce remaining acquisition-related debt, including elimination of all Smith Transport acquisition-related debt and equipment leases. We continue to focus on eliminating the remaining acquisition-related debt from CFI.

During the first quarter of 2026, we completed the previously announced consolidation of the domestic operations of CFI into Heartland Express, including corporate and tractor rebranding efforts. We have been pleased with our ability to retain drivers during the transition, and we have been able to identify additional freight options not previously available to CFI as a result of this change. We continue to focus our operational efforts on driver utilization, reduction of unproductive miles, and other cost control initiatives. We have begun to see some encouraging signs related to market capacity reductions and freight demand improvements. We believe that meaningful improvements in freight demand and freight pricing have started, but may not fully materialize until later in 2026."

Financial Results

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company delivered operating revenues of $176.3 million, compared to $219.4 million in the same period of 2025. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $22.4 million, compared to $26.3 million in the same period of 2025. Net loss was $4.8 million, as compared to a net loss of $13.9 million in the first quarter of 2025. Basic loss per share was $0.06 during the quarter, as compared to basic loss per share of $0.18 in the same period of 2025. The Company posted an operating ratio of 101.9%, non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio of 101.3%, and net loss as a percentage of operating revenues of 2.7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 106.8%, 107.1%, and 6.3% respectively, in the first quarter of 2025.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $44.5 million in cash balances, an increase of $26.0 million since December 31, 2025. Debt of $149.9 million remains at March 31, 2026, down from the initial $447.3 million of borrowings less associated fees for the CFI acquisition in August 2022 along with $46.8 million debt and finance lease obligations assumed from the Smith acquisition in May 2022. The acquisition-related debt and finance lease obligations of Smith Transport have now been fully retired as of March 31, 2026. There were no borrowings under the Company's unsecured line of credit at March 31, 2026. The Company had $88.8 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit as of March 31, 2026 after consideration of $11.2 million of outstanding letters of credit. The Company continues to be in compliance with associated financial covenants. The Company ended the quarter with total assets of $1.2 billion and stockholders' equity of $749.0 million.

Net cash flows from operations for the first three months of 2026 were $23.2 million or 13.1% of operating revenue. The primary uses of cash for financing activities were $9.9 million used for repayment of debt and financing leases along with $1.6 million for dividends paid. Cash provided by investing activities was $14.9 million from net property and equipment transactions.

The average age of the Company's consolidated tractor fleet was 2.6 years as of March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025. The average age of the Company's consolidated trailer fleet was 7.3 years as of March 31, 2026 compared to 7.4 years as of March 31, 2025. We expect to continue to dispose of excess trailers within our fleet as used equipment market conditions improve. During the calendar year of 2026, we currently expect net capital expenditures of approximately $10 to $20 million and $25 to $35 million of gains on disposal of property and equipment.

The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends. Our regular dividend of $0.02 per share was declared during the first quarter of 2026 and paid on April 3, 2026. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $563.0 million, including four special dividends, ($2.00 in 2007, $1.00 in 2010, $1.00 in 2012, and $0.50 in 2021) over the past ninety-one consecutive quarters since 2003. Our outstanding shares at March 31, 2026 were 77.5 million. A total of 2.8 million shares of common stock have been repurchased for $34.7 million over the past five years. The Company has the ability to repurchase an additional 4.8 million shares under the current authorization which would result in 72.7 million outstanding shares if fully executed.

Other Information

During the first quarter of 2026, our family of operating brands continued to deliver award-winning service and corporate trust as evidenced by the following awards for our company and our employees:

Pepsico Transportation - 2025 Carrier of the Year - WHD West Division
Unilever - 2025 Carrier of the Year - Over-the-Road Asset
Newsweek's 2026 Most Trustworthy Companies (4 times in 5 years)

In addition, we are extremely proud to recognize professional driver Richard Fertig (Smith Transport), as one of five Professional Drivers of the Year honored by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) at their 2026 Annual Convention.

Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, adjusted operating loss, and adjusted operating ratio are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP results. We believe that using these measures affords a more consistent basis for comparing our results of operations from period to period. The information required by Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, is included in the table at the end of this press release.

Forward-looking statements notice

This press release may contain statements that might be considered as forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “seek,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “hopes,” “plans,” “goals,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “predict,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,” “ensure,” “outlook,” and similar terms and phrases. In this press release, the statements relating to freight supply and demand, our ability to react to and capitalize on changing market conditions, the expected impact of operational improvements and strategic changes, progress toward our goals, future capital expenditures, future dispositions of revenue equipment and gains therefrom, future profitability, and future stock repurchases, dividends, and debt repayment are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Actual events may differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying such statements as a result of numerous factors, including, without limitation, those specified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 . The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak as of their respective dates.

Contact: Heartland Express, Inc. (319-645-7060) Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer Chris Strain, Chief Financial Officer

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2026	2025
OPERATING REVENUE	$176,256	$219,420
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages, and benefits	$69,095	$93,237
Rent and purchased transportation	10,464	14,274
Fuel	32,738	37,918
Operations and maintenance	11,865	17,279
Operating taxes and licenses	3,951	4,741
Insurance and claims	12,779	11,922
Communications and utilities	1,596	2,266
Depreciation and amortization	35,158	41,628
Other operating expenses	9,222	12,837
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(7,317)	(1,784)
	179,551	234,318
Operating loss	(3,295)	(14,898)
Interest income	207	129
Interest expense	(2,210)	(3,105)
Loss before income taxes	(5,298)	(17,874)
Federal and state income tax benefit	(477)	(4,001)
Net loss	$(4,821)	$(13,873)
Loss per share
Basic	$(0.06)	$(0.18)
Diluted	$(0.06)	$(0.18)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	77,457	78,540
Diluted	77,489	78,610
Dividends declared per share	$0.02	$0.02

	March 31,		December 31,
HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(in thousands, except per share amounts)(unaudited)
ASSETS		2026		2025
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$44,490		$18,475
Trade receivables, net	77,843		74,172
Prepaid tires	11,162		11,626
Other current assets	9,706		9,181
Income taxes receivable	-		1,146
Total current assets	143,201		114,600
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	1,105,686		1,148,693
Less accumulated depreciation	478,559		481,471
	627,127		667,222
GOODWILL	322,597		322,597
OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET	68,257		69,512
OTHER ASSETS	15,229		14,686
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET	1,235		1,353
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT OF USE ASSETS	3,273		1,647
	$1,180,919		$1,191,617
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$40,682		$33,479
Compensation and benefits	25,351		25,061
Insurance accruals	30,456		31,437
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities - current portion	-		5,714
Operating lease liabilities - current portion	1,865		1,330
Other accruals	13,981		13,143
Income taxes payable	227		-
Total current liabilities	112,562		110,164
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Income taxes payable	5,564		5,427
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities less current portion	149,890		154,059
Operating lease liabilities less current portion	1,408		317
Deferred income taxes, net	131,362		133,629
Insurance accruals less current portion	31,102		32,702
Total long-term liabilities	319,326		326,134
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2026 and 2025; outstanding 77,467 and 77,445 in 2026 and 2025, respectively	907		907
Additional paid-in capital	2,600		2,979
Retained earnings	959,034		965,405
Treasury stock, at cost; 13,222 and 13,244 in 2026 and 2025, respectively	(213,510)		(213,972)
	749,031		755,319
	$1,180,919		$1,191,617

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2026	2025
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted operating loss, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
Operating revenue	$176,256	$219,420
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue	22,443	26,321
Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue	153,813	193,099
Operating expenses	179,551	234,318
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue	22,443	26,321
Less: Amortization of intangibles	1,254	1,254
Adjusted operating expenses	155,854	206,743
Operating loss	(3,295)	(14,898)
Adjusted operating loss	$(2,041)	$(13,644)
Operating ratio	101.9%	106.8%
Adjusted operating ratio	101.3%	107.1%

(a) Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, as reported in this press release is based upon operating revenue minus fuel surcharge revenue. Adjusted operating loss as reported in this press release is based upon operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, less operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, and non-cash amortization expense related to intangible assets. Adjusted operating ratio as reported in this press release is based upon operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, and amortization of intangibles, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue. We believe that operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, adjusted operating loss, and adjusted operating ratio are more representative of our underlying operations by excluding the volatility of fuel prices, which we cannot control. Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, adjusted operating loss, and adjusted operating ratio are not substitutes for operating revenue, operating loss, or operating ratio measured in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. Although we believe that operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, adjusted operating loss, and adjusted operating ratio improve comparability in analyzing our period-to-period performance, they could limit comparability to other companies in our industry if those companies define such measures differently. Because of these limitations, operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, adjusted operating loss, and adjusted operating ratio should not be considered measures of income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Management compensates for these limitations by primarily relying on GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures on a supplemental basis.