Heartland Express (HTLD Quick QuoteHTLD - Free Report) reported $179.36 million in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025, representing a year-over-year decline of 26.1%. EPS of -$0.06 for the same period compares to -$0.02 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $185.76 million, representing a surprise of -3.45%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +14.29%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.07.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

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: 112.7% versus 101.8% estimated by two analysts on average.
• Fuel surcharge revenue: $21.68 million versus $22.03 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -22.6% change.
• Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue: $157.68 million versus $163.72 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -26.5% change.

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

Shares of Heartland Express have returned +9.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.8% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.