Heartland Express (Nasdaq: HTLD) reported earnings on April 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Gross margins grew, operating margins contracted, net margins grew.

Revenue details
 Heartland Express logged revenue of $134.3 million. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $137.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

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 $0.23. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.19 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.23 for Q1 were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.19 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 32.2%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.2%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 14.7%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $143.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.21.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $560.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.80.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 82 members out of 90 rating the stock outperform, and eight members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give Heartland Express a green thumbs-up, and two 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 $14.23.

Looking for alternatives to Heartland Express? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.