UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 -------------------------------------------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 22, 2004 HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Commission File Number - 0-15087 NEVADA 93-0926999 (State of other Jurisdiction (IRS Employer ID No.) of Incorporation) 2777 HEARTLAND DRIVE, CORALVILLE, IOWA 52241 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's Telephone Number (including area code): 319-545-2728 Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibit 99.1 - Heartland Express, Inc. press release dated July 22, 2004 with respect to the Company's financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On July 22, 2004, Heartland Express, Inc. announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. Date: July 22, 2004 BY: /s/ John P. Cosaert ----------------------- JOHN P. COSAERT Vice-President Finance and Treasurer Exhibit No. 99.1 Thursday, July 22, 2004, For Immediate Release Press Release Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the Second Quarter of 2004. CORALVILLE, IOWA - July 22, 2004 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD) announced today financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. Gross revenues for the quarter increased 10.4% to $113.5 million from $102.8 million in the second quarter of 2003. Net income increased 24.2% to $15.7 million from $12.6 million in the 2003 period. Basic earnings per share were $0.31 compared to $0.25 for the second quarter of 2003. For the six months, revenue increased 11.5% to $220.3 from $197.6 during the same period in 2003. Net income increased 21.7% to $28.8 million from $23.7 million in the 2003 period. Basic earnings per share were $0.58 compared with $0.47 for the 2003 period. For the quarter, Heartland Express, Inc. posted an operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of gross revenues) of 79.3% and a 13.8% net margin. The Company ended the six months ended June 30, 2004 with an operating ratio of 80.4% and a 13.1% net margin. The Company ended the second quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $229.1 million, a $26.7 million increase from the $202.4 million reported on December 31, 2003. The Company's balance sheet continues to be debt-free. The Company opened its newly acquired (December, 2003) Carlisle, Pennsylvania facility in June, 2004. This location is much larger than the previously leased facility and will provide a solid base of operations in the Northeast. In June, 2004 the Company began the replacement of their entire tractor fleet. The current fleet will be replaced with the International 9400i. Currently the Company has taken delivery of 315 new Internationals. The delivery of new trucks and the trade-in of the current fleet are scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2006. In addition, the Company purchased 400 new Wabash trailers during the second quarter of 2004. During the quarter, Heartland Express declared a regular quarterly cash dividend. The quarterly dividend of $1,000,000 at the rate of $0.02 per share was paid on July 2, 2004 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 21, 2004. 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. John Cosaert 319-545-2728 HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 OPERATING REVENUE ................... $ 113,511,541 $ 102,799,789 $ 220,348,453 $ 197,639,524 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Salaries, wages, benefits ........ $ 39,091,825 $ 35,190,604 $ 78,857,921 $ 67,502,911 Rent and purchased transportation 9,522,915 13,151,043 20,041,540 27,104,114 Operations and maintenance ....... 22,710,926 18,141,646 43,656,478 37,451,826 Taxes and licenses ............... 2,204,958 2,125,293 4,495,240 3,998,699 Insurance and claims ............. 5,395,577 4,164,378 7,892,218 6,535,371 Communications and utilities ..... 980,349 923,038 1,942,532 1,816,883 Depreciation ..................... 6,757,757 6,926,441 13,371,461 12,293,984 Other operating expenses ......... 3,411,410 3,551,159 6,915,444 6,105,931 (Gain) on disposal of fixed assets (65,638) (27,110) (101,889) (30,771) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 90,010,079 $ 84,146,492 $ 177,070,945 $ 162,778,948 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating income ...... $ 23,501,462 $ 18,653,297 $ 43,277,508 $ 34,860,576 Interest income .................. 651,871 492,404 1,219,387 1,031,021 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income before income taxes ....... $ 24,153,333 $ 19,145,701 $ 44,496,895 $ 35,891,597 Federal and state income taxes ... 8,453,664 6,509,537 15,675,629 12,203,141 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net income ....................... $ 15,699,669 $ 12,636,164 $ 28,821,266 $ 23,688,456 ============= ============= ============= ============= Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per share ..... $ 0.31 $ 0.25 $ 0.58 $ 0.47 ============= ============= ============= ============= Basic weighted average shares outstanding ...................... 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 ============= ============= ============= ============= HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS June 30, December 31, 2004 2003 ------------- ------------- (unaudited) CURRENT ASSETS Cash and short term investments ......... $ 229,089,575 $ 202,431,155 Trade receivables ....................... 38,065,754 36,836,728 Prepaid tires ........................... 2,113,480 2,529,580 Deferred income taxes ................... 24,467,000 21,308,000 Other current assets .................... 3,611,629 673,101 ------------- ------------- Total current assets........ $ 297,347,438 $ 263,778,564 ------------- ------------- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT ....................... $ 241,470,443 $ 232,650,992 Less accumulated depreciation ........... 65,500,979 56,951,186 ------------- ------------- $ 175,969,464 $ 175,699,806 ------------- ------------- OTHER ASSETS ........................... $ 8,796,373 $ 8,928,186 ------------- ------------- $ 482,113,275 $ 448,406,556 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable & accrued liabilities .. $ 13,612,430 $ 15,684,826 Accrued expenses ........................ 61,597,080 53,724,940 Income taxes payable .................... 8,514,370 7,720,875 ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities ....... $ 83,723,880 $ 77,130,641 ------------- ------------- DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ........................ $ 39,862,000 $ 39,760,000 ------------- ------------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Capital stock: Common, $.01 par value; authorized 395,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 50,000,000 ................... $ 500,000 $ 500,000 Additional paid-in capital................ 8,510,305 8,510,305 Retained earnings ........................ 350,531,562 323,710,296 ------------- ------------- $ 359,541,867 $ 332,720,601 Less unearned compensation ............... (1,014,472) (1,204,686) ------------- ------------- $ 358,527,395 $ 331,515,915 ------------- ------------- $ 482,113,275 $ 448,406,556 ============= ============= End of Report