---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000799233-26-000025"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HTLD"
cik: "0000799233"
company_name: "HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC"
filed_at: "2026-04-27T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T04:08:31.472514+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Heartland Express Q1 net loss $4.8M; revenue down to $176.3M; operating ratio 101.9%

## Summary
- Operating revenue $176.3M vs $219.4M YoY; fuel surcharge $22.4M vs $26.3M.
- Net loss $4.8M ($0.06 basic loss per share) vs $13.9M ($0.18) in Q1 2025.
- Operating ratio improved 490bp to 101.9%; non-GAAP adjusted OR 101.3%.
- Acquisition debt reduced from $494.1M (2022) to $149.9M; Smith Transport debt fully retired.
- Regular dividend of $0.02/share declared, paid Apr 3; net capex expected $10-20M in 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000799233-26-000025
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HTLD
- cik: 0000799233
- company_name: HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC
- filed_at: 2026-04-27T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923326000025/0000799233-26-000025-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923326000025/htld-20260423.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-26-000025
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-26-000025.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000799233-26-000025.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  HEARTLAND EXPRESS INC reported the three months ended March 31, 2026 results: revenue $176.3 million, net income $4.8 million, EPS $0.06.
  - Period: the three months ended March 31, 2026
  - Revenue: $176.3 million
  - Net income: $4.8 million
  - EPS: $0.06
  - Result: reported results
  source text: For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company delivered operating revenues of $176.3 million, compared to $219.4 million in the same period of 2025. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $22.4 million, compared to $26.3 million in the same period of 2025. Net loss was $4.8 million, as compared to a net loss of $13.9 million in the first quarter of 2025. Basic loss per share was $0.06 during the quarter, as compared to basic loss per share of $0.18 in the same period of 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799233/000079923326000025/0000799233-26-000025-index.htm

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