For the quarter ended June 2026, Heartland Express (HTLD Quick QuoteHTLD - Free Report) reported revenue of $184.13 million, down 12.5% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.14, compared to -$0.14 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of -2.88% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $189.59 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0, the company has not delivered EPS surprise.

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.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

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: 91% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 98.9%.
• Fuel surcharge revenue: $31.74 million compared to the $28.57 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +29.5% year over year.
• Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue: $152.38 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $161.03 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -18%.

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

Shares of Heartland Express have returned -14.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.