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8-K - 8-K - HEARTLAND EXPRESS INCearningsrelease8k2018q1.htm


Exhibit 99.1

April 25, 2018 For Immediate Release

Press Release

Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the First Quarter of 2018

NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA - April 25, 2018 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Three months ended March 31, 2018:
Net Income of $13.4 million, Basic Earnings per Share of $0.16,
Operating Revenue of $156.7 million a year-over-year increase of 20.6%,
Operating Ratio of 91.7% and 90.4% Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Ratio(1),
Cash balance of $105 million, a $29.6 million increase from December 31, 2017,
Debt-Free Balance Sheet,
Total Stockholders' Equity of $585.1 million and Total Assets of $823.2 million.

Heartland Express Chief Executive Officer Michael Gerdin, commented on the quarterly operating results and ongoing initiatives of the Company, "I am excited to report our results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 which are our strongest operating results delivered to date since our acquisition of Interstate Distributor Co. We delivered our lowest quarterly operating ratio (91.7% and 90.4% non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio(1)) as compared to the last two quarters following the acquisition on July 6, 2017.  Further, the month of March was our strongest month of the quarter where we delivered the lowest operating ratio in any single month since the acquisition. Our overall earnings for the first quarter include the favorable tax impacts related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (approximately $0.02 per share). We have also been diligently working on eliminating or lowering unnecessary or unproductive costs following the acquisition and we anticipate continuing to do so in the months ahead. We expect in the coming quarters, additional operational improvements and progress towards our goal of returning to an operating ratio in the low-80's. Heartland remains committed to on-time and just-in-time service for our loyal customers."

Financial Results

Heartland Express ended the first quarter of 2018 with net income of $13.4 million, compared to $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2017. Basic earnings per share were $0.16 during the quarter compared to $0.17 earnings per share in the first quarter of 2017. Operating revenues were $156.7 million, compared to $129.9 million in the first quarter of 2017, a 20.6% increase. Operating revenues for the quarter included fuel surcharge revenues of $21.5 million compared to $14.9 million in the same period of 2017, a $6.6 million increase. Operating revenues increased 17.5%, excluding the impact of fuel surcharge revenues(1), primarily due to higher miles driven following the Interstate Distributor Co. ("IDC") acquisition during the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. Operating income for the three-month period decreased $6.4 million primarily due to lower gains on sale of equipment combined with the negative operating impacts from the consolidation of IDC financial results when compared to the prior period. The Company posted an operating ratio of 91.7%, adjusted operating ratio(1) of 90.4%, and an 8.5% net margin (net income as a percentage of operating revenues) in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 85.1%, 83.2%, and 10.8%, respectively in the first quarter of 2017.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Expenditures

At March 31, 2018, the Company had $105.0 million in cash balances and no borrowings under the Company's unsecured line of credit. The Company had $171.3 million in available borrowing capacity on the line of credit at March 31, 2018 after consideration of $3.7 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 $823.2 million and stockholders' equity of $585.1 million.

Net cash flows from operations for the first three months of 2018 were $32.2 million, 20.6% of operating revenue. The primary use of net cash generated from operations during the three month period ended March 31, 2018 was $5.9 million for net equipment transactions, $1.7 million for dividends, and $1.3 million for the repurchase of our common stock. The average age of the Company's tractor fleet was 1.5 years as of March 31, 2018 compared to 1.8 years at March 31, 2017. The average age of the Company's trailer fleet was 4.9 years at March 31, 2018 compared to 4.5 years at March 31, 2017. The Company currently anticipates a total of approximately $85 to $95 million in net capital expenditures for calendar year 2018. The Company ended the past twelve months with a return on total assets of 9.4% and a 13.4% return on equity.
            
The Company continues its commitment to stockholders through the payment of cash dividends and repurchases of common stock. A dividend of $0.02 per share was declared and paid during the first quarter of 2018. The Company has now paid cumulative cash dividends of $472.4 million, including three special dividends, ($2.00 in 2007, $1.00 in 2010, and $1.00 in 2012) over the past fifty-nine consecutive quarters. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company purchased 71,894 shares of our common stock for $1.3 million. Our outstanding shares at March 31, 2018 were 83.2 million shares. Subsequent to March 31, 2018, we have repurchased an additional 0.9 million shares for $15.7 million. A total of 5.6 million shares of common stock have been repurchased for approximately $105.7 million over the past five years. The Company has the ability to repurchase an additional 2.3 million shares under the current authorization.

Other Information

During the first quarter of 2018, we continued to deliver award-winning service and safety to our customers, we were recognized for our partnership with a great cause, and we were honored for our commitment to diversity within our Board of Directors, as evidenced by the following awards:

Lowe's - Carrier of the Year (West Outbound, One-Way)
Quaker/Gatorade - Carrier of the Year (Central Region)
Wreaths Across America 2017 Honor Fleet
2020 Women on Boards Winning Company

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 reducing unnecessary or unproductive costs, operational improvements, progress toward our goals, 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, 2017. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak as of their respective dates.



Contact: Heartland Express, Inc. (319-626-3600)

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,
 
 
2018
 
2017
OPERATING REVENUE
 
$
156,695

 
$
129,903

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages, and benefits
 
$
62,009

 
$
48,979

Rent and purchased transportation
 
6,125

 
2,863

Fuel
 
28,940

 
22,702

Operations and maintenance
 
7,865

 
5,869

Operating taxes and licenses
 
3,952

 
3,292

Insurance and claims
 
4,224

 
3,779

Communications and utilities
 
1,870

 
1,098

Depreciation and amortization
 
25,601

 
22,930

Other operating expenses
 
6,030

 
5,103

Gain on disposal of property and equipment
 
(2,869
)
 
(6,075
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
143,747

 
110,540

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
12,948

 
19,363

 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
342

 
288

Interest expense
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
13,290

 
19,651

 
 
 
 
 
Federal and state income taxes
 
(88
)
 
5,615

 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
13,378

 
$
14,036

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.17

Diluted
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.17

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
83,309

 
83,292

Diluted
 
83,349

 
83,337

 
 
 
 
 
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
 
2018
 
2017
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
105,019

 
$
75,378

Trade receivables, net
 
61,571

 
64,293

Prepaid tires
 
11,045

 
10,989

Other current assets
 
21,923

 
13,782

Income tax receivable
 
9,691

 
6,393

Total current assets
 
209,249

 
170,835

 
 
 
 
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
662,474

 
666,763

Less accumulated depreciation
 
223,331

 
223,901

 
 
439,143

 
442,862

GOODWILL
 
132,410

 
132,410

OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET
 
16,352

 
17,022

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NET
 
3,237

 
1,737

OTHER ASSETS
 
22,825

 
24,261

 
 
$
823,216

 
$
789,127

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
38,771

 
$
14,366

Compensation and benefits
 
27,324

 
26,752

Insurance accruals
 
19,991

 
21,368

Other accruals
 
12,284

 
12,835

Total current liabilities
 
98,370

 
75,321

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Income taxes payable
 
6,124

 
8,147

Deferred income taxes, net
 
72,172

 
65,488

Insurance accruals less current portion
 
61,461

 
65,526

Total long-term liabilities
 
139,757

 
139,161

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Capital stock, common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000 shares; issued 90,689 in 2018 and 2017; outstanding 83,240 in 2018 and 83,303 in 2017, respectively
 
907

 
907

Additional paid-in capital
 
3,414

 
3,518

Retained earnings
 
705,885

 
694,174

Treasury stock, at cost; 7,449 in 2018 and 7,386 in 2017, respectively
 
(125,117
)
 
(123,954
)
 
 
585,089

 
574,645

 
 
$
823,216

 
$
789,127







(1)
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule:
Operating revenue, operating revenue excluding fuel surcharge revenue, operating income, operating ratio, and adjusted operating ratio reconciliation (a)
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
156,695

 
$
129,903

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
21,530

 
14,881

Operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharge revenue
 
135,165

 
115,022

 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
143,747

 
110,540

Less: Fuel surcharge revenue
 
21,530

 
14,881

Adjusted operating expenses
 
122,217

 
95,659

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
12,948

 
$
19,363

Operating ratio
 
91.7
%
 
85.1
%
Adjusted operating ratio
 
90.4
%
 
83.2
%

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