---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000799233-24-000002"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HTLD"
cik: "0000799233"
company_name: "HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC"
filed_at: "2024-02-02T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-06T10:22:19.364910+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Heartland Express Q4 net income $5.1M ($0.06 EPS), revenue $275.3M; FY revenue record $1.2B

## Summary
- Q4 net income $5.1M ($0.06 EPS) vs $15.5M ($0.20) YoY; operating revenue $275.3M vs $354.9M.
- Full year 2023 operating revenue record $1.2B (+24.7% YoY) but net income $14.8M ($0.19 EPS) vs $133.6M ($1.69) in 2022.
- Operating ratio 96.5% (adjusted 95.4%) vs 80.5% (adjusted 84.8%) YoY, reflecting weak freight environment and acquisition integration.
- Debt reduced by $114.1M in 2023 to $300M; gain of $25.6M from sale of three terminal properties in Q4.
- Legacy Heartland/Millis operating ratio 86.9%; acquired Smith/CFI combined 103.8% in 2023.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000799233-24-000002
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HTLD
- cik: 0000799233
- company_name: HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
- filed_at: 2024-02-02T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000002/0000799233-24-000002-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000002/htld-20240131.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-24-000002
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-24-000002.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-24-000002.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC reported three months ended December 31, 2023 results: revenue $275.3 million, net income $5.1 million, EPS $0.06.
  - Period: three months ended December 31, 2023
  - Revenue: $275.3 million
  - Net income: $5.1 million
  - EPS: $0.06
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. Three months ended December 31, 2023: • Net Income of $5.1 million and Basic Earnings per Share of $0.06, • Operating Revenue of $275.3 million
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000002/0000799233-24-000002-index.htm
- Earnings Releases
  HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC reported twelve months ended December 31, 2023 results: revenue $1.2 billion, net income $14.8 million, EPS $0.19.
  - Period: twelve months ended December 31, 2023
  - Revenue: $1.2 billion
  - Net income: $14.8 million
  - EPS: $0.19
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Twelve months ended December 31, 2023: • Net Income of $14.8 million, Basic Earnings per Share of $0.19, • Operating Revenue of $1.2 billion (All-time record)
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000002/0000799233-24-000002-index.htm
- Earnings Releases
  HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.
  - Period: the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023
  - Result: reported results
  source text: On January 31, 2024, Heartland Express, Inc. announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000002/0000799233-24-000002-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.