---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000799233-26-000004"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HTLD"
cik: "0000799233"
company_name: "HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC"
filed_at: "2026-02-09T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T03:59:14.786107+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Heartland Express Q4 net loss $19.4M, full-year revenue down 23%; adjusted OR improves sequentially

## Summary
- Q4 operating revenue $179.4M, net loss $19.4M ($0.25 loss per share); operating ratio 112.7% includes $19.0M CFI trade-name impairment.
- Non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio improved to 101.6% in Q4 from 103.5% in Q3, marking sequential improvement each quarter of 2025.
- Full-year 2025 operating revenue $805.7M (down 23% YoY), net loss $52.5M ($0.67 loss per share); operating ratio 107.1%.
- Debt reduced by $41.2M in 2025 to $159.8M; no borrowings on $100M line; management targets debt-free balance sheet by 2027.
- Operating cash flow $89.3M (11.1% of revenue); $10.4M spent on share repurchases; quarterly dividend maintained at $0.02 per share.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000799233-26-000004
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HTLD
- cik: 0000799233
- company_name: HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
- filed_at: 2026-02-09T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923326000004/0000799233-26-000004-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923326000004/htld-20260203.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-26-000004
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-26-000004.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-26-000004.txt

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