Heartland Express Increases Sales but Misses Revenue Estimate

Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD  ) reported earnings on Oct. 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Heartland Express missed slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased slightly and GAAP earnings per share dropped significantly.

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Heartland Express booked revenue of $135.0 million. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $137.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $132.5 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.14. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.18 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.14 for Q3 were 18% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.17 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 31.8%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.3%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.2%, 240 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $136.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.16.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $546.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.71.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 76 members out of 84 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 24 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 21 give Heartland Express a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Heartland Express is hold, with an average price target of $14.86.

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