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Heartland Express (HTLD)
NASDAQ:HTLD
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Heartland Express (HTLD) AI Stock Analysis

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HTLD

Heartland Express

(NASDAQ:HTLD)

Rating:53Neutral
Price Target:
$9.00
▲(7.66%Upside)
Heartland Express's financial performance is the most significant factor, showing operational and financial challenges. While technical indicators are neutral, the stock's valuation is a concern due to its negative P/E ratio. The company's consistent dividend payments provide a positive note, reflecting its commitment to shareholder value.
Positive Factors
Freight Market Recovery
Management noted they have begun to see 'encouraging signs' for a freight recovery.
Operational Improvements
It is encouraging to see HTLD outline fleet size and cost actions following 7 quarters without an operating profit.
Negative Factors
Financial Challenges
EPS remains negative due to elevated interest expense from the financing of the CFI and Smith Transport acquisitions.
Investor Confidence
Investors will need more than one quarter to underwrite the improvement and for the stock to break out of its laggard position.

Heartland Express (HTLD) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Heartland Express Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHeartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLD) is a North American transportation and logistics services company specializing in short-to-medium haul truckload carrier services. Headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa, Heartland Express operates primarily in the United States, serving a diverse range of industries including retail, manufacturing, and consumer goods. The company is known for its focus on providing consistent, reliable, and safe transportation services through its modern fleet of trucks and a strong commitment to customer service.
How the Company Makes MoneyHeartland Express makes money through its core operation as a truckload carrier, transporting freight for customers across various industries. The company's primary revenue stream comes from the transportation services it provides, charging clients based on factors such as distance, weight, and volume of goods transported. Heartland Express focuses on maintaining high asset utilization and operational efficiency to maximize profitability. Additionally, the company may engage in strategic acquisitions to expand its market presence and enhance its service offerings. Key partnerships with major shippers and a focus on customer satisfaction contribute to its earnings, allowing the company to secure long-term contracts and repeat business.

Heartland Express Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Heartland Express faces financial headwinds with declining revenue and profitability, impacting its income statement. The balance sheet shows moderate leverage, but decreasing equity and assets highlight financial challenges. Strong operating cash flow is countered by a negative free cash flow trend, indicating a need for better capital management.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Heartland Express has experienced a decline in revenue and profitability. The TTM data shows negative EBIT and net income, indicating operational challenges. Gross profit margin has also decreased, suggesting reduced pricing power or increased costs. The company's revenue has decreased compared to the previous year, highlighting a need for strategic adjustments to drive growth.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The company's balance sheet remains relatively stable, with a moderate debt-to-equity ratio, reflecting controlled leverage. However, the decreasing trend in stockholders' equity and total assets indicates potential financial strain. Despite the challenges, Heartland Express maintains a solid equity ratio, showcasing a buffer against liabilities.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Operating cash flow remains strong, but free cash flow has significantly decreased, reflecting higher capital expenditures. The ratio of operating cash flow to net income is favorable, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings. However, the negative free cash flow trend poses a concern for sustainable cash management.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.05B1.21B968.00M607.28M645.26M
Gross Profit110.16M145.28M401.93M114.64M147.46M
EBITDA162.43M243.08M224.50M210.13M204.20M
Net Income-29.72M14.78M133.58M79.28M70.81M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.33B1.51B1.67B928.54M951.18M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments12.81M28.12M49.46M157.74M113.85M
Total Debt208.61M317.44M433.96M0.000.00
Total Liabilities511.59M644.39M814.01M201.44M226.84M
Stockholders Equity822.60M865.26M855.48M727.10M724.33M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow34.81M-43.33M34.15M-9.22M-25.49M
Operating Cash Flow144.35M165.27M194.71M123.42M178.85M
Investing Cash Flow-46.54M-67.87M-663.26M-2.65M-111.05M
Financing Cash Flow-112.71M-120.69M359.26M-78.14M-32.74M

Heartland Express Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price8.36
Price Trends
50DMA
8.83
Negative
100DMA
8.80
Negative
200DMA
10.12
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.11
Positive
RSI
40.86
Neutral
STOCH
18.72
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HTLD, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 8.36 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 8.83, below the 50-day MA of 8.83, and below the 200-day MA of 10.12, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.11 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 40.86 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 18.72 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for HTLD.

Heartland Express Risk Analysis

Heartland Express disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Heartland Express reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Heartland Express Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$1.93B11.1214.25%0.56%-5.69%51.78%
71
Outperform
$668.94M18.608.58%0.99%0.75%-15.76%
70
Outperform
$721.27M11.829.67%1.39%-5.55%-52.21%
65
Neutral
$11.05B15.765.13%1.92%3.11%-24.90%
61
Neutral
$1.78B100.531.21%1.91%-7.66%-78.26%
58
Neutral
$1.06B50.622.72%1.84%-11.77%-52.06%
53
Neutral
$651.21M-4.42%0.96%-16.42%-49.44%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HTLD
Heartland Express
8.36
-4.72
-36.09%
CVLG
Covenant Logistics Group
26.21
-1.53
-5.52%
MRTN
Marten Transport
13.00
-5.32
-29.04%
WERN
Werner Enterprises
29.33
-8.96
-23.40%
ARCB
ArcBest
86.21
-33.29
-27.86%
ULH
Universal Logistics
30.11
-12.42
-29.20%

Heartland Express Corporate Events

Dividends
Heartland Express Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Jun 17, 2025

On June 13, 2025, Heartland Express, Inc. announced the declaration of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share, to be paid on July 3, 2025, to shareholders of record as of June 23, 2025. This marks the company’s eighty-eighth consecutive quarterly dividend, totaling $558.3 million in cash dividends paid since 2003, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (HTLD) stock is a Hold with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Heartland Express stock, see the HTLD Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Heartland Express Elects Directors at Annual Meeting
Neutral
May 9, 2025

On May 8, 2025, Heartland Express, Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where seven directors were elected to the Board until the 2026 meeting. The appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent public accounting firm for 2025 was ratified, and the compensation of executive officers was approved in a non-binding vote. These decisions reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to strong governance and financial oversight.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 16, 2025