Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the Third Quarter of 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

Heartland Express reported strong financial results for Q3 2021, with net income of $24.5 million and basic earnings per share (EPS) of $0.31. Total operating revenue reached $152.6 million, despite a slight decline from the previous year. The company maintained a cash balance of $180.4 million and a debt-free balance sheet. The operating ratio improved to 78.2%, marking the best result since 2013. A special dividend of $0.50 per share was paid on October 1, 2021, showcasing the company's commitment to shareholders.

Positive

• Net income of $24.5 million for Q3 2021, up 18.1% YoY.
• Basic EPS increased to $0.31 from $0.25 YoY.
• Operating ratio improved to 78.2%, best since Q2 2013.
• Cash balance of $180.4 million with no debt.
• Special dividend of $0.50 per share declared and paid.

Negative

• Operating revenue decreased to $152.6 million from $162.3 million YoY.
• Operating revenues for nine-month period down to $459.1 million, compared to $489.5 million YoY.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa, Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Three months ended September 30, 2021:

• Net Income of $24.5 million, and Basic Earnings per Share of $0.31,
• Operating Revenue of $152.6 million,
• Operating Income of $33.3 million,
• Operating Ratio of 78.2% and 75.0% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio⁽¹⁾_,
• Cash Balance of $180.4 million and Total Assets of $958.3 million,
• Stockholders' Equity of $708.8 million (after special dividend of $39.5 million),
• Debt-Free Balance Sheet.
  

Nine months ended September 30, 2021:

• Net Income of $58.9 million, and Basic Earnings per Share of $0.74,
• Operating Revenue of $459.1 million,
• Operating Income of $78.9 million,
• Operating Ratio of 82.8% and 80.5% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio⁽¹⁾

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Mike Gerdin, commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, “Our operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 showed strength in terms of profit, overall operating efficiency, and our continued ability to grow our cash balance. At the end of the quarter we had $180 million in cash with no debt on our balance sheet. Further, these quarterly operating results and financial strength allowed us to reward our shareholders with a special dividend of $0.50 per common share ($39.5 million), paid on October 1, 2021.

“Freight demand has continued to be strong and has reached unprecedented levels throughout the third quarter of 2021 and we expect these trends to continue for the remainder of 2021 and well into 2022. We also believe that hiring and retention of employees has reached levels of unprecedented challenge across our industry for both carriers and shippers. We continue to partner with our customers who have had to navigate their own employment related disruptions in order to deliver our strong operating results during the quarter. We believe that this shared challenge of hiring and retaining both drivers and other supply chain critical employees will continue in the year ahead. To address that challenge, we have increased wages and enhanced the compensation features for our drivers multiple times in the last twelve months. We will continue to invest in our drivers, our fleet of revenue equipment, our terminal locations, and technology to ensure our drivers receive a rewarding level of compensation along with the tools to have a safe and successful career at Heartland Express.”

Mr. Gerdin continued, “From a financial perspective, we were able to improve our operating income and control costs to deliver an operating ratio of 78.2% and a non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ of 75.0%, an improvement to the same quarter of 2020 where we delivered an operating ratio of 83.2% and a non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ of 81.5%. The operating ratio delivered was also better sequentially to the first and second quarters of 2021 and was our best consolidated operating ratio delivered since the 2^nd quarter of 2013 (prior to the acquisitions of Gordon Trucking (2013), Interstate Distributor (2017) and Millis Transfer (2019)). Specifically, the Heartland Express fleet produced an operating ratio in the mid 70's, during the third quarter of 2021, while the Millis Transfer fleet has shown continued improvement over the two years since the acquisition. Millis delivered an operating ratio in the upper 80's and is progressing toward the three-year operating ratio target of 85% or lower by the end of the third quarter of 2022, which we believe is attainable. Our operating income for the third quarter was $33.3 million, a 21.8% increase, compared to $27.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 and our strongest quarter of operating income since the second quarter of 2015. We continue to be extremely proud of our employees and what we have accomplished. We believe we are well positioned for the future.”

Financial Results

Heartland Express ended the third quarter of 2021 with operating revenues of $152.6 million, compared to $162.3 million in the third quarter of 2020. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $19.6 million, compared to $14.4 million in the same period of 2020. Operating income for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 was $33.3 million, an increase of $6.0 million as compared to the same period of the prior year. Net income was $24.5 million, compared to $20.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, an increase of 18.1%. Basic earnings per share were $0.31 during the quarter as compared to $0.25 during the same period of 2020. The Company posted an operating ratio of 78.2%, non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ of 75.0%, and a 16.0% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 83.2%, 81.5%, and 12.8%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2020.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded operating revenues of $459.1 million, compared to $489.5 million in the same period of 2020. Operating revenues for the period included fuel surcharge revenues of $55.5 million, compared to $47.9 million in the same period of 2020. Net income was $58.9 million, compared to $53.1 million in the same period of 2020, an increase of $5.8 million (10.9%). Basic earnings per share were $0.74 during the period, compared to $0.65 basic earnings per share in the same period of 2020. The Company posted an operating ratio of 82.8%, non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ of 80.5%, and a 12.8% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to 85.8%, 84.2%, and 10.9%, respectively, in the same period of 2020.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $180.4 million in cash balances, an increase of $13.1 million since the second quarter of 2021, and a $66.5 million increase since December 31, 2020. The Company amended its unsecured line of credit as of August 31, 2021 which reduced the available borrowing capacity from $100 million to $25 million. The Company continues to have the ability to increase the available borrowing base by an additional $100 million, subject to normal credit and lender approvals. The Company had $14.2 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit as of September 30, 2021 after consideration of $10.8 million outstanding letters of credit. The Company continues to be in compliance with associated financial covenants. The Company ended the quarter with total assets of $958.3 million and stockholders' equity of $708.8 million, following the declaration of $41.1 million regular and special dividends payable to our shareholders on October 1, 2021.

Net cash flows from operations for the first nine months of 2021 were $95.7 million, 20.8% of operating revenue. Net revenue equipment and terminal transactions provided $5.2 million of cash. The primary uses of net cash during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 were $31.4 million for the repurchase of our common stock (including amounts payable at December 31, 2020) and $3.2 million for dividends.

The average age of the Company's tractor fleet was 1.7 years as of September 30, 2021 compared to 2.0 years on September 30, 2020. The average age of the Company's trailer fleet was 3.3 years as of September 30, 2021 compared to 3.6 years on September 30, 2020. The Company currently anticipates a total of approximately $15 to $20 million in net capital expenditures for the remainder of calendar year 2021.

The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends and repurchases of common stock. A dividend of $0.52 ($0.50 special dividend and $0.02 regular dividend) per share was declared during the third quarter 2021 and paid on October 1, 2021, along with regular dividends declared and paid during the first and second quarters of 2021, respectively. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $534.7 million, including four special dividends, ($2.00 in 2007, $1.00 in 2010, $1.00 in 2012, and $0.50 in 2021) over the past seventy-three consecutive quarters since 2003.

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company purchased 987,627 shares of our common stock for $16.4 million. We purchased 1,756,428 shares of our common stock for $30.9 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. As compared to 710,376 shares of our common stock purchased for $12.3 million during the first quarter of 2020, with no shares purchased during the second or third quarters of 2020. Our outstanding shares at September 30, 2021 were 78.9 million. A total of 4.6 million shares of common stock have been repurchased for $82.2 million over the past five years. The Company has the ability to repurchase an additional 6.7 million shares under the current authorization which would result in 72.2 million outstanding shares if fully executed.

Other Information

During the third quarter of 2021, we continued to deliver award-winning service and safety to our customers as evidenced by the following awards received:

• FedEx Express - 2021 National Carrier of the Year (11 years in a row)
• FedEx Express - Platinum Service Level (99.99% On-Time Delivery)

Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP results. We believe that using these measures affords a more consistent basis for comparing our results of operations from period to period. The information required by Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, is included in the table at the end of this press release.

This press release may contain statements that might be considered as forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “seek,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “hopes,” “plans,” “goals,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “predict,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar terms and phrases. In this press release, the statements relating to reducing unnecessary or unproductive costs, our ability to react to changing market conditions, operational improvements, progress toward our goals, and future capital expenditures are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Actual events may differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying such statements as a result of numerous factors, including, without limitation, those specified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak as of their respective dates.

Contact: Heartland Express, Inc. (319-626-3600) Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer Chris Strain, Chief Financial Officer

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
OPERATING REVENUE		$	152,612			$	162,282			$	459,142			$	489,473
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages, and benefits		$	62,733			$	67,178			$	190,446			$	205,579
Rent and purchased transportation		950				999				2,922				3,635
Fuel		25,258				21,218				74,220				65,445
Operations and maintenance		5,372				7,118				16,729				21,516
Operating taxes and licenses		3,311				3,664				10,345				11,229
Insurance and claims		5,053				4,827				15,171				16,034
Communications and utilities		1,218				1,398				3,412				4,091
Depreciation and amortization		25,280				27,625				78,162				81,427
Other operating expenses		5,418				6,637				16,173				19,602
Gain on disposal of property and equipment		(15,254		)		(5,721		)		(27,341		)		(8,739		)
		119,339				134,943				380,239				419,819
Operating income		33,273				27,339				78,903				69,654
Interest income		181				171				493				704
Income before income taxes		33,454				27,510				79,396				70,358
Federal and state income taxes		8,988				6,796				20,454				17,224
Net income		$	24,466			$	20,714			$	58,942			$	53,134
Earnings per share
Basic		$	0.31			$	0.25			$	0.74			$	0.65
Diluted		$	0.31			$	0.25			$	0.74			$	0.65
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		79,336				81,370				79,795				81,530
Diluted		79,364				81,404				79,839				81,587
Dividends declared per share		$	0.52			$	0.02			$	0.56			$	0.06

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
		September 30,				December 31,
ASSETS		2021				2020
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	180,366			$	113,852
Trade receivables, net		58,538				55,577
Prepaid tires		9,272				8,241
Other current assets		10,398				15,342
Total current assets		258,574				193,012
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT		725,502				779,360
Less accumulated depreciation		234,444				240,080
		491,058				539,280
GOODWILL		168,295				168,295
OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET		22,953				24,746
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET		—				8,164
OTHER ASSETS		17,400				17,679
		$	958,280			$	951,176
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	14,431			$	12,751
Dividend payable		41,094				—
Compensation and benefits		24,355				22,422
Insurance accruals		13,645				15,837
Income taxes payable		4,513				1,475
Other accruals		19,001				18,557
Total current liabilities		117,039				71,042
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Income taxes payable		5,385				5,801
Deferred income taxes, net		87,217				104,004
Insurance accruals less current portion		39,823				45,995
Total long-term liabilities		132,425				155,800
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2021 and 2020; outstanding 78,943 and 80,653 in 2021 and 2020, respectively		907				907
Additional paid-in capital		4,319				4,330
Retained earnings		905,620				890,970
Treasury stock, at cost; 11,746 and 10,036 in 2021 and 2020, respectively		(202,030		)		(171,873		)
		708,816				724,334
		$	958,280			$	951,176

(1)

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
Operating revenue, operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, fuel surcharge revenue, operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
		(Unaudited, in thousands)								(Unaudited, in thousands)
Operating revenue		$	152,612			$	162,282			$	459,142			$	489,473
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue		19,628				14,412				55,544				47,858
Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue		132,984				147,870				403,598				441,615
Operating expenses		119,339				134,943				380,239				419,819
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue		19,628				14,412				55,544				47,858
Adjusted operating expenses		99,711				120,531				324,695				371,961
Operating income		$	33,273			$	27,339			$	78,903			$	69,654
Operating ratio		78.2		%		83.2		%		82.8		%		85.8		%
Adjusted operating ratio		75.0		%		81.5		%		80.5		%		84.2		%

(a) Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, fuel surcharge revenue, and adjusted operating ratio as reported in this press release are based upon operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue. We believe that adjusted operating ratio is more representative of our underlying operations by excluding the volatility of fuel prices, which we cannot control. Adjusted operating ratio is not a substitute for operating ratio measured in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. Although we believe that adjusted operating ratio improves comparability in analyzing our period-to-period performance, it could limit comparability to other companies in our industry if those companies define adjusted operating ratio differently. Because of these limitations, adjusted operating ratio should not be considered a measure of income generated by our business or discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Management compensates for these limitations by primarily relying on GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures on a supplemental basis.

FAQ

What were Heartland Express's Q3 2021 earnings results?

Heartland Express reported Q3 2021 net income of $24.5 million and basic EPS of $0.31.

How did Heartland Express perform in terms of operating revenue in Q3 2021?

Operating revenue for Q3 2021 was $152.6 million, a decline from $162.3 million in the same quarter of 2020.

What is Heartland Express's operating ratio for Q3 2021?

The operating ratio for Q3 2021 was 78.2%, an improvement from 83.2% in Q3 2020.

Did Heartland Express pay a dividend in October 2021?

Yes, Heartland Express paid a special dividend of $0.50 per share on October 1, 2021.

What was the cash balance for Heartland Express at the end of Q3 2021?

Heartland Express reported a cash balance of $180.4 million at the end of Q3 2021.

What were Heartland Express's nine-month financial results for 2021?

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Heartland Express reported net income of $58.9 million and operating revenues of $459.1 million.