Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) reported earnings on April 17. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Heartland Express beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP earnings per share expanded significantly.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Heartland Express tallied revenue of $134.8 million. The 10 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $129.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $127.7 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.19. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.19 for Q1 were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.16 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 31.2%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.5%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.3%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $140.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $554.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.78.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 76 members out of 84 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 24 give Heartland Express a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Heartland Express is hold, with an average price target of $15.45.

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