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Upturn AI SWOT - About
HTLD 
Heartland Express Inc (HTLD)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/14/2025: HTLD (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
5 Analysts rated it
Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.
1 Year Target Price $9.2
1 Year Target Price $9.2
| 0 | Strong Buy |
| 0 | Buy |
| 3 | Hold |
| 2 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -31.09% | Avg. Invested days 22 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/14/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 643.26M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 9.2 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 9.2 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 5 | Beta 1.06 | 52 Weeks Range 7.09 - 12.77 | Updated Date 08/15/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 7.09 - 12.77 | Updated Date 08/15/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.95% | Basic EPS (TTM) -0.46 |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-07-21 | When Before Market | Estimate -0.0534 | Actual -0.14 |
Profitability
Profit Margin -3.85% | Operating Margin (TTM) -7.23% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -2.05% | Return on Equity (TTM) -4.42% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE 75.19 | Enterprise Value 828125370 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.69 |
Enterprise Value 828125370 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.69 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.89 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 5.94 | Shares Outstanding 77408200 | Shares Floating 44746601 |
Shares Outstanding 77408200 | Shares Floating 44746601 | ||
Percent Insiders 52.18 | Percent Institutions 49.9 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Heartland Express Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Heartland Express, Inc. was founded in 1978 in Iowa. It has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions to become a leading truckload carrier in North America. Initially focused on regional routes, Heartland expanded its services nationwide.
Core Business Areas
- Truckload Services: Provides primarily dry van truckload service throughout the United States and Canada. This includes transporting a variety of goods for different industries.
Leadership and Structure
Heartland Express has a leadership team that includes Michael Gerdin (Chairman, President and CEO), and Chris Strain (CFO). The company operates with a traditional hierarchical organizational structure.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Truckload Transportation: Core service offering with diverse customer base. Heartland Express focuses on high-value, time-sensitive freight. No specific market share data publicly available, making it difficult to determine number of users or revenue from this specific product. Competitors include Knight-Swift Transportation, Schneider National, and Werner Enterprises.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The trucking industry is highly competitive and fragmented, influenced by factors like fuel costs, driver shortages, and economic conditions. Demand fluctuates with the overall economy and consumer spending.
Positioning
Heartland Express is known for its financial stability, efficient operations, and focus on safety. It differentiates itself through high service levels and strong customer relationships.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The U.S. trucking market is estimated to be hundreds of billions of dollars. Heartland Express' position is to provide premium truckload services, which allows it to capture a portion of the market focused on quality and reliability.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong financial performance
- Efficient operations
- Focus on safety
- Experienced management team
- High service levels
Weaknesses
- Exposure to economic cycles
- Dependence on driver availability
- Fuel price volatility
- Limited diversification beyond truckload services
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets
- Increased demand for e-commerce deliveries
- Adoption of technology to improve efficiency
- Acquisitions of smaller carriers
Threats
- Increased competition
- Driver shortages
- Rising fuel costs
- Economic downturn
- Regulatory changes
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- KNX
- SNDR
- WERN
- JBHT
- ODFL
Competitive Landscape
Heartland Express competes on service quality and financial stability. It is seen as a premium service provider. Competitors focus more on price points or broader network coverage.
Major Acquisitions
Contract Freighters, Inc.
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 525
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Heartland's presence in the expedited freight market and increased its driver base.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Heartland Express has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Future Projections: Future growth projections depend on analyst estimates, which may vary. Factors include economic conditions, industry trends, and company-specific initiatives.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives often include investments in new equipment, technology upgrades, and acquisitions of other trucking companies.
Summary
Heartland Express is a financially strong and well-managed truckload carrier known for its efficient operations and safety record. Its focus on premium service and customer relationships provides a competitive edge. Key factors to watch out for include driver availability and economic cycles. Recent acquisitions should help support future growth.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company reports, industry analysis, financial news sources, analyst reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and is not financial advice. Market share estimates are approximate. Future performance is subject to various risks and uncertainties.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Heartland Express Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters North Liberty, IA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1990-03-26 | Chairman of the Board, President & CEO Mr. Michael J. Gerdin | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Trucking | Full time employees 5220 | Website https://www.heartlandexpress.com |
Full time employees 5220 | Website https://www.heartlandexpress.com | ||
Heartland Express, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a short, medium, and long-haul truckload carrier and transportation services provider in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It primarily provides nationwide asset-based dry van truckload service for shippers; cross-border freight and other transportation services; and temperature-controlled truckload services. The company offers its services under the Heartland Express, Millis Transfer, Smith Transport, and CFI brand names. It primarily serves retailers, manufacturers, and parcel carriers in consumer goods, appliances, food products, and automotive industries. Heartland Express, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa.
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