For the quarter ended June 2025, Heartland Express (HTLD Quick QuoteHTLD - Free Report) reported revenue of $210.39 million, down 23.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at -$0.14, compared to -$0.04 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $236.65 million, representing a surprise of -11.1%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -75%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.08.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Heartland Express performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Operating ratio: 105.9% versus 102.3% estimated by two analysts on average.
• Fuel surcharge revenue: $24.51 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $27.13 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -33.5%.
• Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue: $185.88 million versus $209.53 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -21.9% change.

View all Key Company Metrics for Heartland Express here>>>

Shares of Heartland Express have returned +0.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +5.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.