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Heartland Express (HTLD) Reports Q3 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

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Heartland Express (HTLD - Free Report) reported $179.5 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 8.7%. EPS of $0.01 for the same period compares to -$0.11 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $188.77 million, representing a surprise of -4.91%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -50%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.02.

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: 98.7% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 98.1%.
  • Fuel surcharge revenue: $32.72 million compared to the $30.43 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +35.7% year over year.
  • Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue: $146.78 million compared to the $158.08 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of -14.9% year over year.

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 +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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