UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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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):
October 18, 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 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 - Heartland Express, Inc. press release dated October 18, 2004
with respect to the Company's financial results for the quarter ended September
30, 2004.
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On October 18, 2004, Heartland Express, Inc. announced its financial
results for the quarter ended September 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: October 18, 2004 BY: /s/ John P. Cosaert
-----------------------
JOHN P. COSAERT
Vice-President
Finance and Treasurer
Exhibit No. 99.1
Monday, October 18, 2004, For Immediate Release
Press Release
Heartland Express, Inc. Reports Revenues and Earnings for the Third Quarter of
2004.
CORALVILLE, IOWA - October 18, 2004 - Heartland Express, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLD)
announced today financial results for the third quarter ended September 30,
2004. Gross revenues for the quarter increased 12.3% to $117.3 million from
$104.5 million in the third quarter of 2003. Net income increased 17.8% to $17.1
million from $14.5 million in the 2003 period. Basic earnings per share were
$0.23 compared to $0.19 for the third quarter of 2003.
For the nine months, revenue increased 11.8% to $337.6 from $302.1 during the
same period in 2003. Net income increased 20.2% to $45.9 million from $38.2
million in the 2003 period. Basic earnings per share were $0.61 compared with
$0.51 for the 2003 period.
For the quarter, Heartland Express, Inc. posted an operating ratio (operating
expenses as a percentage of gross revenues) of 78.1% and a 14.6% net margin. The
Company ended the nine months ended September 30, 2004 with an operating ratio
of 79.6% and a 13.6% net margin. These results are all improvements over the
prior year. They were achieved in a period of record high fuel prices and a
continued shortage of qualified drivers.
The Company ended the third quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and investments
of $239.5 million, a $37.1 million increase from the $202.4 million reported on
December 31, 2003. The Company's balance sheet continues to be debt-free.
Earlier this year the Company announced the replacement of its tractor fleet.
The Company has taken delivery of 650 new International 9400i model tractors.
The delivery of new tractors and the trade-in of the current fleet is scheduled
to be completed by December 31, 2006. The Company also upgraded its trailer
fleet with the purchase of 700 new Wabash trailers during the second and third
quarter of this year.
During the quarter, Heartland Express declared a 3-for-2 stock split, payable as
50% stock dividend. The stock dividend increased the Company's issued and
outstanding common stock from 50.0 million to 75.0 million shares. The stock
dividend was paid on August 20, 2004. All of the above earnings per share data
has been adjusted to reflect the effect of this stock dividend.
The Company's regular quarterly dividend was declared September 9, 2004. The
quarterly dividend of $1.5 million at the rate of $0.02 per share was paid on
October 1, 2004 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September
20, 2004. This was the fifth consecutive quarterly cash dividend paid. Our
recent stock split increases our total annual dividend by $2.0 million to a
total of $6.0 million annually. It is a pleasure to share the continued success
of the Company with our stockholders. It is important to note that the recent
stock split increased quarterly dividend payout by 50%.
During the quarter, Heartland Express strengthened its industry-leading driver
compensation package by introducing their "GREEN MILE$" program. Company drivers
and owner operators will be paid an additional 7 cents per mile for all HHG
miles driven in what will be known as the "Green Zone". The "Green Zone" is an
area north of the southern border of Maryland and east of Interstate 81 running
through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. The defined area includes all or a
portion of the upper Northeastern United States. This program became effective
October 2nd, 2004. The Company is strongly committed to attracting and retaining
the safest experienced drivers in the industry.
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.
For further information contact
John P. Cosaert, EVP; CFO
Heartland Express, Inc.
319-545-2728
HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
OPERATING REVENUE ............................ $ 117,299,278 $ 104,460,615 $ 337,647,731 $ 302,100,139
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OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages, benefits ................. $ 40,305,667 $ 34,949,275 $ 119,163,588 $ 102,452,186
Rent and purchased transportation ......... 8,578,807 12,090,171 28,620,347 39,194,285
Operations and maintenance ................ 25,297,575 19,094,695 68,954,053 56,546,521
Taxes and licenses ........................ 2,143,218 2,265,221 6,638,458 6,263,920
Insurance and claims ...................... 2,562,377 3,384,300 10,454,595 9,919,671
Communications and utilities .............. 886,416 946,331 2,828,948 2,763,214
Depreciation .............................. 7,842,781 7,139,016 21,214,242 19,433,000
Other operating expenses .................. 4,020,431 3,080,052 10,935,875 9,185,983
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets ... 2,085 23,802 (99,804) (6,969)
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$ 91,639,357 $ 82,972,863 $ 268,710,302 $ 245,751,811
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Operating income ............... $ 25,659,921 $ 21,487,752 $ 68,937,429 $ 56,348,328
Interest income ........................... 805,135 470,972 2,024,522 1,501,993
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Income before income taxes ................ $ 26,465,056 $ 21,958,724 $ 70,961,951 $ 57,850,321
Federal and state income taxes ............ 9,395,071 7,465,967 25,070,700 19,669,108
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Net income ................................ $ 17,069,985 $ 14,492,757 $ 45,891,251 $ 38,181,213
============= ============= ============= =============
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per share .............. $ 0.23 $ 0.19 $ 0.61 $ 0.51
============= ============= ============= =============
Basic weighted average shares
outstanding ............................... 75,000,000 75,000,000 75,000,000 75,000,000
============= ============= ============= =============
HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
September 30, December 31,
2004 2003
------------- -------------
(unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and short term investments ......... $ 239,497,693 $ 202,431,155
Trade receivables ....................... 39,552,428 36,836,728
Prepaid tires ........................... 2,927,590 2,529,580
Deferred income taxes ................... 24,894,000 21,308,000
Other current assets .................... 1,685,726 673,101
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Total current assets ....... $ 308,557,437 $ 263,778,564
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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT ....................... $ 251,291,695 $ 232,650,992
Less accumulated depreciation ........... 63,802,426 56,951,186
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$ 187,489,269 $ 175,699,806
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OTHER ASSETS ........................... $ 9,016,455 $ 8,928,186
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$ 505,063,161 $ 448,406,556
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable & accrued liabilities .. $ 16,762,333 $ 15,684,826
Accrued expenses ........................ 62,967,658 53,724,940
Income taxes payable .................... 5,747,683 7,720,875
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Total current liabilities ....... $ 85,477,674 $ 77,130,641
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DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ........................ $ 45,393,000 $ 39,760,000
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock: Common, $.01 par value;
authorized 395,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding 75,000,000 in 2004 and
50,000,000 in 2003 ...................... $ 750,000 $ 500,000
Additional paid-in capital .............. 8,510,305 8,510,305
Retained earnings ....................... 365,851,547 323,710,296
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$ 375,111,852 $ 332,720,601
Less unearned compensation .............. (919,365) (1,204,686)
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$ 374,192,487 $ 331,515,915
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$ 505,063,161 $ 448,406,556
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END OF REPORT