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8-K - 8-K - HEARTLAND EXPRESS INCearningsrelease8k2016q1.htm


Exhibit 99.1

April 26, 2016 For Immediate Release

Press Release
Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2016

NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA - April 26, 2016 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Highlights of the quarter included:

Net Income of $14.4 million, Earnings per Share of $0.17, and Operating Revenue of $162.8 million,
86.5% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio(1),
Cash generated from operations increased to $55.9 million,
Cash balance of $69.7 million, a $36.5 million increase since December 31, 2015,
Repurchased 0.9 million shares of our common stock during the quarter, 5.3% of outstanding shares repurchased for $88.7 million since August 2015,
No outstanding debt at March 31, 2016.

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Michael Gerdin, commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, "During the first quarter of 2016 we continued to make progress toward our goal to improve our operating efficiency as measured by our adjusted operating ratio. During the first quarter of 2016 we took another step towards a return to a low 80's adjusted operating ratio. We were able to achieve this despite weaker freight volumes and more downward pressure on freight rates in 2016 compared to the first quarters of 2015 and 2014. Excluding gains on disposals of property and equipment, which tend to be volatile based on timing of fleet upgrades, we have now delivered three years of sequential first quarter improvements in our operating ratio. These continued improvements lead to another quarter of solid cash flows from operations, which allowed us to increase our cash reserves, and remain debt free. Our continued financial strength is expected to allow us to maintain flexibility and ensure that we are well prepared to capitalize on future opportunities within the ever-changing trucking industry. Our fleet of both tractors and trailers remains in pristine condition, ready for the road ahead."

Financial Results

Heartland Express ended the first quarter of 2016 with net income of $14.4 million, compared to $17.6 million in the first quarter of 2015. Basic earnings per share were $0.17 during the quarter compared to $0.20 earnings per share in the first quarter of 2015. Operating revenues were $162.8 million, a $24.7 million decrease, compared to $187.5 million in the first quarter of 2015. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $13.1 million compared to $26.1 million in the same period of 2015, a $13.0 million decrease. Operating revenues decreased 7.3% excluding the impact of fuel surcharge revenues. Following our fleet upgrade capital campaign in 2015, operating income for the three-month period decreased $8.9 million as a result of lower gains on disposal of property and equipment from lower trade volumes. The Company posted an adjusted operating ratio(1) of 86.5% and an 8.8% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the first quarter of 2016 compared to 82.5% and 9.4%, respectively in the first quarter of 2015.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

At March 31, 2016, the Company had $69.7 million in cash balances and no borrowings under the Company's unsecured line of credit. The Company had $194.5 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit at March 31, 2016 after consideration of outstanding letters of credit. The Company continues to be in compliance with associated financial covenants. The Company ended the quarter with total assets of $726.8 million.






Net cash flows from operations for the first three months of 2016 were $55.9 million. The primary use of cash during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was $14.7 million for stock repurchases and $1.7 million for dividends. The average age of the Company's tractor fleet was 1.5 years as of March 31, 2016 compared to 1.7 years at March 31, 2015. The average age of the Company's trailer fleet was 4.7 years at March 31, 2016 compared to 4.5 years at March 31, 2015. The Company currently anticipates a total of approximately $45 to $55 million in net capital expenditures for the calendar year 2016. The Company ended the past twelve months with a return on total assets of 9.3% and a 14.4% return on equity.
   
The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends and repurchase of common stock. Dividends of $0.02 per share were declared and paid during the first quarter of 2016. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $459.1 million, including three special dividends, ($2.00 in 2007, $1.00 in 2010, and $1.00 in 2012) over the past fifty-one consecutive quarters. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, 0.9 million shares of our common stock were repurchased for $14.7 million reducing outstanding shares at March 31, 2016 to 83.2 million shares. The Company has repurchased 4.7 million shares of our common stock for $88.7 million since August 2015 and a total of 10.7 million shares of common stock for approximately $169.2 million over the past five years.

Other Information

Historical commitment to customer service has allowed us to build solid, long-term relationships and brand ourselves as an industry leader for safety and on-time service. This past quarter we were recognized for the following customer service and fleet safety awards:

Sam's Club (Walmart) - Carrier of the Year,
Johnson and Johnson - Truckload Service Provider of the Year,
Quaker/Gatorade - Carrier of the Year (Northwest Region),
Quaker/Gatorade - Carrier of the Year (Central West Region),
DHL - On Time Delivery - Truckload,
California Trucking Association - Fleet Safety Award (1st Place - Truckload, over 7 million miles),
California Trucking Association - Fleet Safety Award (1st Place - LTL/Gen Commodities-Local/Short Haul, over 4 million miles).

These awards are hard-earned and are a testament to our outstanding group of drivers and the many employees that support them each day.

Adjusted operating ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure supplements our GAAP results. We believe that using this measure 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 or predictions of future operations. Such statements are based on management's belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual events may differ from these expectations as specified from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Heartland Express, Inc.
Mike Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer or
John Cosaert, Chief Financial Officer
319-626-3600






HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
OPERATING REVENUE
 
$
162,786

 
$
187,523

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages, and benefits
 
$
65,466

 
$
70,996

Rent and purchased transportation
 
6,700

 
9,327

Fuel
 
21,194

 
34,256

Operations and maintenance
 
6,639

 
8,134

Operating taxes and licenses
 
3,891

 
4,813

Insurance and claims
 
8,092

 
6,644

Communications and utilities
 
1,204

 
1,543

Depreciation and amortization
 
25,705

 
25,974

Other operating expenses
 
4,933

 
7,757

Gain on disposal of property and equipment
 
(1,288
)
 
(10,181
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
142,536

 
159,263

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
20,250

 
28,260

 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
75

 
31

 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 

 
(19
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
20,325

 
28,272

 
 
 
 
 
Federal and state income taxes
 
5,948

 
10,661

 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
14,377

 
$
17,611

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.17

 
$
0.20

Diluted
 
$
0.17

 
$
0.20

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
83,369

 
87,791

Diluted
 
83,460

 
87,965

 
 
 
 
 
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
 
2016
 
2015
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
69,747

 
$
33,232

Trade receivables, net
 
58,497

 
61,009

Prepaid tires
 
8,180

 
9,584

Other current assets
 
13,258

 
8,316

Income tax receivable
 

 
7,641

Deferred income taxes, net
 

 
16,662

Total current assets
 
149,682

 
136,444

 
 
 
 
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
666,079

 
671,946

Less accumulated depreciation
 
219,382

 
197,948

 
 
446,697

 
473,998

GOODWILL
 
100,212

 
100,212

OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET
 
13,532

 
14,013

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET
 
5,206

 

OTHER ASSETS
 
11,457

 
11,363

 
 
$
726,786

 
$
736,030

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
6,367

 
$
7,516

Compensation and benefits
 
27,126

 
24,636

Insurance accruals
 
22,338

 
21,573

Income taxes payable
 
6,486

 

Other accruals
 
12,823

 
12,443

Total current liabilities
 
75,140

 
66,168

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Income taxes payable
 
14,631

 
16,228

Deferred income taxes, net
 
93,884

 
112,118

Insurance accruals less current portion
 
63,630

 
59,435

Other long-term liabilities
 
10,953

 
12,153

Total long-term liabilities
 
183,098

 
199,934

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2016 and 2015; outstanding 83,234 in 2016 and 84,115 in 2015, respectively
 
907

 
907

Additional paid-in capital
 
4,023

 
4,126

Retained earnings
 
588,659

 
575,948

Treasury stock, at cost; 7,455 in 2016 and 6,574 in 2015, respectively
 
(125,041
)
 
(111,053
)
 
 
468,548

 
469,928

 
 
$
726,786

 
$
736,030









(1)
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
Adjusted operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
162,786

 
$
187,523

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
13,094

 
26,103

Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue
 
149,692

 
161,420

 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
142,536

 
159,263

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
13,094

 
26,103

Adjusted operating expenses
 
129,442

 
133,160

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
 
$
20,250

 
$
28,260

Operating ratio
 
87.6
%
 
84.9
%
Adjusted operating ratio
 
86.5
%
 
82.5
%

(a) Operating ratio as reported in this press release is based upon total operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge, as a percentage of operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue.