Every material Form 8-K Heartland Express filed with the SEC in 2026, read and summarized by AI: what happened, the key figures, whether it reads positive or negative for shareholders, and how big a deal it is (impact 1-5). Newest first; each brief links to its own page and to the filing on SEC.gov.
Heartland Express reported unaudited third-quarter 2026 results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, in a press release attached as Exhibit 99.1. Operating revenue fell to $179.5 million from $196.5 million a year earlier, while net income was $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share, compared with an $8.3 million net loss in the prior-year quarter. Shareholders see a swing back to profit on lower sales, and the CEO cited rising fuel costs and inflationary expenses as pressures on operating costs.
Operating revenue was $179.5 million, down from $196.5 million in Q3 2025.
Net income was $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share, versus a net loss of $8.3 million, or $(0.11) per share, a year earlier.
Operating ratio improved to 98.7% from 103.7%; non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio was 97.6%.
Debt of $99.9 million remained at September 30, 2026, down from $494.1 million of acquisition-related debt and finance lease obligations in 2022.
Director James G. Pratt retired from Heartland Express's Board effective immediately on September 1, 2026, and the filing states the decision was not due to any disagreement with management, the Board, or the company's operations, policies, or practices. The board also reassigned committee roles, with Brenda S. Neville taking Pratt's seat on the Audit and Risk Committee and Amanda M. Hupfeld becoming committee chairperson.
James G. Pratt retired from the Board effective September 1, 2026, after about 20 years of service
No disagreement with management, the Board, or company operations, policies, or practices was cited
Brenda S. Neville replaced Pratt on the Audit and Risk Committee effective September 1, 2026
Amanda M. Hupfeld became Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee
Heartland Express reported unaudited second-quarter 2026 results for the period ended June 30, 2026. Net income was $10.6 million, compared with a net loss of $10.9 million a year earlier, while operating revenue fell to $184.1 million from $210.4 million. The filing also shows a $25.1 million gain on disposal of property and equipment in the quarter, which contributed to the profit.
Operating revenue was $184.1 million, down from $210.4 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Net income was $10.6 million, or $0.14 per basic share, versus a net loss of $10.9 million, or $(0.14) per share, a year earlier.
Operating ratio improved to 91.0% from 105.9%, and the quarter included a $25.1 million gain on disposal of property and equipment.
The company made $15 million in payments to reduce acquisition-related debt during the quarter.
Heartland Express approved salary increases for its CFO, chief operating officer and chief administrative officer, effective immediately on May 14, 2026. It also granted each of the three officers 500 restricted shares on May 15, 2026, which vested immediately, according to the filing.
CFO Christopher A. Strain's annualized salary rose from $364,000 to $375,024, an increase of $11,024.
COO Kent D. Rigdon's annualized salary rose from $327,600 to $338,000, an increase of $10,400.
CAO and Secretary Joshua S. Helmich's annualized salary rose from $286,000 to $295,100, an increase of $9,100.
Each of the three officers received 500 restricted shares under the 2021 Restricted Stock Award Plan, effective May 15, 2026.
Heartland Express reported unaudited first-quarter 2026 results, with operating revenue of $176.3 million, down from $219.4 million a year earlier. The net loss narrowed to $4.8 million, or $0.06 per share, from $13.9 million, or $0.18 per share, as operating ratio improved to 101.9% from 106.8%. The company also fully retired its Smith Transport acquisition-related debt and equipment leases, leaving $149.9 million of acquisition-related debt and finance lease obligations.
Operating revenue fell to $176.3 million from $219.4 million in Q1 2025.
Net loss was $4.8 million, or $0.06 per share, versus $13.9 million, or $0.18 per share, a year earlier.
Operating ratio improved to 101.9% from 106.8%; non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio was 101.3%.
Smith Transport acquisition-related debt and equipment leases were fully retired as of March 31, 2026.
Heartland Express said David P. Millis, President of subsidiary Millis Transfer, will retire as president effective April 24, 2026, and will remain a director. The company disclosed that he will receive $66,766 in compensation and insurance benefits plus 4,866 shares of common stock in connection with his retirement.
David P. Millis informed the company of his retirement decision on April 16, 2026.
Retirement is effective April 24, 2026; Millis remains a director.
Retirement package: $66,766 in compensation and insurance benefits and 4,866 shares of common stock.
Director compensation will follow the non-employee director terms described in the April 2, 2026 proxy statement.
Heartland Express director Dr. Benjamin J. Allen notified the company on March 25, 2026, that he will not seek re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. He will remain on the board, chair the Compensation Committee and sit on the Audit and Risk Committee until that meeting; the company says the decision was not tied to any disagreement or to its operations, policies or practices.
Dr. Benjamin J. Allen notified the company on March 25, 2026 of his decision not to stand for re-election
He will serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee
The company states the departure was not the result of any disagreement with management or the board
Allen served the company for 31 years, per the company's statement of thanks
Heartland Express reported unaudited results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, in a press release dated February 3, 2026. Fourth-quarter operating revenue fell to $179.4 million from $242.6 million a year earlier, and the company booked a $19.0 million non-cash trade name impairment tied to unifying CFI with Heartland Express, which deepened the quarterly loss for shareholders.
Q4 2025 operating revenue was $179.4 million, versus $242.6 million in Q4 2024; net loss was $19.4 million, or $0.25 per share, versus a net loss of $1.9 million, or $0.02 per share.
Full-year 2025 operating revenue was $805.7 million, versus $1.0 billion in 2024, with a net loss of $52.5 million, or $0.67 per share.
Q4 2025 included a $19.0 million impairment of the CFI trade name; the company reported a Q4 operating ratio of 112.7% and a non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio of 101.6%.
Heartland Express, Inc. appointed Joshua Helmich as its Chief Administrative Officer effective January 1, 2026, in connection with the integration of Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI) U.S. operations. Mr. Helmich will also remain the company's Secretary and stepped down as CFI's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2025.
Joshua Helmich appointed Chief Administrative Officer effective January 1, 2026
Helmich continues as Company Secretary
Helmich ceased to serve as SVP and CFO of CFI effective December 31, 2025
Change tied to the previously announced integration of CFI's U.S. operations
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