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

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 21 Apr 2022 08:00:02   America/Chicago

    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.


    Primary Logo

Share on,