Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues, Earnings, and Record High Stockholders' Equity for the First Quarter of 2022

Rhea-AI Summary

Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD) reported Q1 2022 financial results with net income of $16.8 million, a 25.3% increase in EPS to $0.21. Operating revenue was $151.3 million, slightly down from $152.4 million in Q1 2021. Operating income reached $22.4 million, reflecting a 22.5% increase. The operating ratio improved to 85.2%, with cash balances up to $187.1 million. Despite strong freight demand, hiring challenges persist. The company remains debt-free and committed to dividend payments and stock repurchases.

Positive

• Net income increased by 22.1% to $16.8 million.
• EPS rose to $0.21, up 25.3% year-over-year.
• Operating income improved by 22.5% to $22.4 million.
• Operating ratio improved to 85.2%, indicating better operational efficiency.
• Cash balance increased to $187.1 million, showing strong liquidity.
• Stockholders' equity reached an all-time record of $742.5 million.

Negative

• Operating revenue decreased slightly from $152.4 million in Q1 2021 to $151.3 million.
• Freight demand has declined compared to unprecedented levels in late 2021.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa, April 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Three months ended March 31, 2022:

• Net Income of $16.8 million, and Basic Earnings per Share of $0.21 (an increase of 25.3% to 2021),
• Operating Revenue of $151.3 million,
• Operating Income of $22.4 million (an increase of 22.5% to 2021),
• Operating Ratio of 85.2% and 82.4% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio⁽¹⁾_,
• Cash Balance of $187.1 million and Total Assets of $947.1 million,
• Stockholders' Equity of $742.5 million (All-Time Record),
• Debt-Free Balance Sheet.
  

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 months ended March 31, 2022 showed strength in terms of profit, overall operating efficiency, and our continued ability to grow our cash balance. The improvement in our operating ratio in the first quarter in each of the last three years shows our ability to consistently improve our operations over time. Operating ratios delivered in the first quarters of 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 89.6%, 88.0%, and 85.2%, respectively. Millis Transfer was able to improve greatly over these same periods as they delivered an operating ratio of 96.0%, 99.3%, and 87.7%, respectively. Millis Transfer continues to progress towards the goal of a 85.0% operating ratio or lower within three years of the acquisition, and delivered their best single month of operating results during the first quarter of 2022. Net income delivered in the first quarter of 2022 was $16.8 million, an increase of 22.1%, as compared to the same period in the prior year."

"Freight demand has continued to be strong even though demand has reached lower levels during the first quarter. While the current levels are down compared against the unprecedented levels experienced in the later months of 2021, we continue to have significantly more opportunities to haul freight than we are able to cover with our existing fleet and available drivers. Given what we have experienced and based on feedback from our strong group of customers, we expect volatile freight demand throughout 2022 but at volumes that will continue to exceed our available capacity. Hiring and retention challenges continue to exist for our company and the entire industry. We remain committed to ongoing investments in our drivers, to ensure they receive a rewarding level of compensation along with the tools to have a safe and successful career at Heartland Express.”

Mr. Gerdin continued, "At the end of the quarter we had $187 million in cash, an increase of nearly $30 million since year end 2021, with no debt on our balance sheet. We have historically deployed our cash reserves to capitalize on the best strategic opportunity, whether it be for a $0.50 per share special dividend during the third quarter of 2021, repurchasing 1.0 million shares of our common stock during the prior twelve months ended March 2022, the acquisition of Millis Transfer in 2019, or ongoing capital investment for operational needs. We continue to explore and analyze the best strategic opportunities available for our company and our stockholders. We are extremely proud of our drivers and employees and what we have accomplished. We believe we continue to be well positioned for the future with a great team, efficient operations, and a strong balance sheet.”

Financial Results

Heartland Express ended the first quarter of 2022 with operating revenues of $151.3 million, compared to $152.4 million in the first quarter of 2021. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $24.0 million, compared to $16.8 million in the same period of 2021. Operating income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 was $22.4 million, an increase of $4.1 million as compared to the same period of the prior year, an increase of 22.5%. Net income was $16.8 million, compared to $13.7 million in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 22.1%. Basic earnings per share were $0.21 during the quarter as compared to $0.17 during the same period of 2021. The Company posted an operating ratio of 85.2%, non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio⁽¹⁾ of 82.4%, and a 11.1% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 88.0%, 86.5%, and 9.0%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2021.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $187.1 million in cash balances, an increase of $38.9 million, a 26.2% increase since the first quarter of 2021, and a $29.3 million increase since December 31, 2021. There were no borrowings under the Company's unsecured line of credit. 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 $91.5 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit as of March 31, 2022 after consideration of $8.5 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 $947.1 million and stockholders' equity of $742.5 million, an all-time record.

Net cash flows from operations for the first three months of 2022 were $37.6 million, 24.9% of operating revenue. The primary use of net cash was $4.5 million for net revenue equipment and $3.9 million for terminal renovation improvements during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

The average age of the Company's tractor fleet was 1.5 years as of March 31, 2022 compared to 1.7 years on March 31, 2021. The average age of the Company's trailer fleet was 3.7 years as of March 31, 2022 compared to 3.8 years on March 31, 2021. The Company currently anticipates a total of approximately $10 to $15 million of net capital expenditures for revenue equipment in 2022, resulting from lower volumes in response to the current market challenges of pricing and availability. We expect more significant capital activity in relation to our terminal locations during 2022.

The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends and repurchases of common stock. A regular dividend of $0.02 per share was declared during the first quarter 2022 and paid on April 5, 2022. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $537.8 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-five consecutive quarters since 2003. Our outstanding shares at March 31, 2022 were 78.9 million. We repurchased 1.0 million shares of our common stock for $17.0 million, during the prior twelve months ended March 2022. A total of 4.6 million shares of common stock have been repurchased for $81.5 million over the past five years. The Company has the ability to repurchase an additional 6.6 million shares under the current authorization which would result in 72.3 million outstanding shares if fully executed.

Other Information

During the first quarter of 2022, we were once again recognized for our commitment to service and safety by DHL, as we were named Truckload Carrier of the Year. Further, we were honored to be named by Newsweek as one of "America's Most Trustworthy Companies" - #18 within the Transport, Logistics, and Packaging industry group. Both of these awards are a testament to our professional drivers and our entire team of employees that work hard to deliver superior results while remaining committed to the business and cultural philosophies that have made us successful throughout our history.

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 freight supply and demand, the market for drivers, our ability to react to changing market conditions, operational improvements, progress toward our goals, deployment of cash reserves, 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, 2021. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak as of their respective dates.

Contact: Heartland Express, Inc. (319-645-7060) 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 March 31,
			2022				2021
OPERATING REVENUE		$	151,275			$	152,402
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages, and benefits		$	58,638			$	64,782
Rent and purchased transportation			748				964
Fuel			29,711				24,157
Operations and maintenance			5,079				5,688
Operating taxes and licenses			3,209				3,621
Insurance and claims			5,566				5,439
Communications and utilities			1,078				1,226
Depreciation and amortization			23,311				26,926
Other operating expenses			5,798				5,552
Gain on disposal of property and equipment			(4,258	)			(4,232	)
			128,880				134,123
Operating income			22,395				18,279
Interest income			146				138
Income before income taxes			22,541				18,417
Federal and state income taxes			5,766				4,683
Net income		$	16,775			$	13,734
Earnings per share
Basic		$	0.21			$	0.17
Diluted		$	0.21			$	0.17
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic			78,929				80,152
Diluted			78,953				80,206
Dividends declared per share		$	0.02			$	0.02

HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
		March 31,				December 31,
ASSETS			2022				2021
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	187,085			$	157,742
Trade receivables, net			61,583				52,812
Prepaid tires			10,043				9,168
Other current assets			9,776				9,406
Income taxes receivable			—				4,095
Total current assets			268,487				233,223
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT			705,631				710,760
Less accumulated depreciation			233,652				222,845
			471,979				487,915
GOODWILL			168,295				168,295
OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET			21,758				22,355
OTHER ASSETS			16,594				16,754
		$	947,113			$	928,542
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	20,278			$	20,538
Compensation and benefits			24,171				21,411
Insurance accruals			15,248				15,677
Income taxes payable			3,452				—
Other accruals			14,394				13,968
Total current liabilities			77,543				71,594
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Income taxes payable			5,313				5,491
Deferred income taxes, net			88,227				89,971
Insurance accruals less current portion			33,502				34,384
Total long-term liabilities			127,042				129,846
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2022 and 2021; outstanding 78,932 and 78,923 in 2022 and 2021, respectively			907				907
Additional paid-in capital			4,205				4,141
Retained earnings			939,571				924,375
Treasury stock, at cost; 11,757 and 11,766 in 2022 and 2021, respectively			(202,155	)			(202,321	)
			742,528				727,102
		$	947,113			$	928,542

(1)
            

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2022				2021
		(Unaudited, in thousands)
Operating revenue		$	151,275			$	152,402
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue			23,969				16,785
Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue			127,306				135,617
Operating expenses			128,880				134,123
Less: Fuel surcharge revenue			23,969				16,785
Adjusted operating expenses			104,911				117,338
Operating income		$	22,395			$	18,279
Operating ratio			85.2	%			88.0	%
Adjusted operating ratio			82.4	%			86.5	%

(a) Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, as reported in this press release is based upon operating revenue minus fuel surcharge revenue. Adjusted operating ratio as reported in this press release is based upon operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue. We believe that operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio are more representative of our underlying operations by excluding the volatility of fuel prices, which we cannot control. Operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio are not substitutes for operating revenue or operating ratio measured in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. Although we believe that operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio improve comparability in analyzing our period-to-period performance, they could limit comparability to other companies in our industry if those companies define such measures differently. Because of these limitations, operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue and adjusted operating ratio should not be considered measures 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 Q1 2022 earnings results?

Heartland Express reported a net income of $16.8 million for Q1 2022, with an EPS of $0.21, a 25.3% increase from the previous year.

What are the key financial metrics for HTLD in Q1 2022?

For Q1 2022, HTLD had operating revenue of $151.3 million, operating income of $22.4 million, and an operating ratio of 85.2%.

How did Heartland Express perform compared to Q1 2021?

HTLD's net income increased by 22.1% and operating income rose by 22.5% compared to Q1 2021.

What challenges is Heartland Express facing in 2022?

HTLD is experiencing hiring and retention challenges, which could impact operations.

What is the current cash position of Heartland Express?

Heartland Express ended Q1 2022 with $187.1 million in cash, reflecting a strong liquidity position.