Heartland Express Reports Net Loss in Fourth Quarter

Heartland Express reports a net loss of $1.85 million for Q4 2023, missing analyst expectations. The decline in operating revenue could negatively impact stock performance among investors.

Date: 28-01-2025

AI Rating: 4

Net Income: Heartland Express reported a net loss of $1.85 million, a significant decline from a net income of $5.10 million in the prior-year quarter. This shift not only indicates a poor performance relative to the same period last year but also raises concerns about future profitability.

Earnings Per Share (EPS): The company had an EPS of -$0.02 for the fourth quarter, which contrasts unfavorably with the EPS of $0.06 from the previous year. This decline in EPS is particularly concerning as it indicates that the company's ability to generate profit on a per-share basis has worsened.

Revenue Growth: Operating revenue decreased to $242.58 million from $275.35 million year-over-year. This decline suggests that the company is facing challenges in maintaining or growing its sales, which is a vital metric for investors.

Analyst Expectations: Analysts had anticipated a loss of $0.04 per share and revenues of $255.90 million, which means Heartland Express not only missed its earnings expectations but also fell short of revenue forecasts. This underperformance could lead to reduced investor confidence and potential reassessment of stock values.

Stocks: HTLD