Compared to Estimates, Heartland Express (HTLD) Q4 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

Heartland Express (HTLD) reported $242.58 million in revenue for the quarter ended December 2024, representing a year-over-year decline of 11.9%. EPS of -$0.02 for the same period compares to $0.06 a year ago.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $254.84 million, representing a surprise of -4.81%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +50.00%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.04.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.Here is how Heartland Express performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Operating ratio: 99.6% compared to the 101.4% average estimate based on two analysts. Fuel surcharge revenue: $28 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $33.20 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -29.5%. Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue: $214.58 million compared to the $221.65 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of -8.9% year over year. View all Key Company Metrics for Heartland Express here>>>Shares of Heartland Express have returned +6.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.8% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks