---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000799233-24-000018"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HTLD"
cik: "0000799233"
company_name: "HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC"
filed_at: "2024-04-30T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-03T05:04:46.231990+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Heartland Express reports Q1 net loss of $15.1M; revenue down 18% YoY

## Summary
- Net loss of $15.1M ($0.19 basic loss per share) vs net income of $12.6M ($0.16 EPS) in Q1 2023.
- Operating revenue $270.3M, down 18% from $330.9M in Q1 2023; fuel surcharge fell to $36.2M from $49.6M.
- Operating ratio of 105.3% (non-GAAP adj. 105.6%) vs 93.1% in Q1 2023; operating loss of $14.4M.
- Repaid $36.7M of acquisition-related debt in Q1; total debt repayments $232.2M since 2022 acquisitions.
- CEO cites extended weak freight demand, excess capacity, and cost inflation; sequential monthly improvement in 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000799233-24-000018
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HTLD
- cik: 0000799233
- company_name: HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
- filed_at: 2024-04-30T23:59:59+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/799233/000079923324000018/0000799233-24-000018-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000018/htld-20240423.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-24-000018
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-24-000018.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-24-000018.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC reported the three months ended March 31, 2024 results: revenue $270.3 million, net income Net Loss of $15.1 million, EPS Basic Loss per Share of $0.19.
  - Period: the three months ended March 31, 2024
  - Revenue: $270.3 million
  - Net income: Net Loss of $15.1 million
  - EPS: Basic Loss per Share of $0.19
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Three months ended March 31, 2024: • Operating Revenue of $270.3 million, • Net Loss of $15.1 million, • Basic Loss per Share of $0.19, • Operating Ratio of 105.3% and 105.6% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio (1) , • Total Assets of $1.5 billion, • Stockholders' Equity of $848.8 million.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923324000018/0000799233-24-000018-index.htm

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