HTLDIndustrials · TruckingThe 6 Wall Street analysts covering Heartland Express, Inc. hold a median 12-month price target of $13 — +6.1% from the last close. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model, run across ~4,600 US stocks, ranks it 78 of 100 as at 1 Aug 2026 — inside the top quartile. Here, the model and the Street point the same way.
Consensus tells you what everyone already believes. The model scores Heartland Express, Inc. on its factor families — the same systematic rank behind the Ticker Nerd portfolio.
Percentile across ~4,600 US stocks on Ticker Nerd’s systematic factor model. Higher is better. How the model is built and tested
Accruals (96): Reported profit is backed by cash, and the company is not expanding recklessly.
Quality (25): Profits are thin or unreliable for the size of the business, or they are not turning into cash.
The rank is the raw material. Whether the rules would actually own Heartland Express, Inc. — and when they’d sell — is the membership.
The bullish and bearish analyst opinions on HTLD, reported as data — targets and ratings, the market's view beside the model's.
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
The green dot is the last close — the median target sits +6.1% from it.
| Date | Firm | Action | Rating | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Underweight | $11 → $12 |
| 6 July 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 6 July 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | $12 → $13 |
| 26 June 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 28 Apr 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 24 Apr 2026 | Baird | Maintains | Outperform | — |
| 24 Apr 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 24 Apr 2026 | UBS | Maintains | Neutral | — |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 5 Feb 2026 | UBS | Maintains | Neutral | — |
| 15 Jan 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 5 Jan 2026 | Baird | Upgrade | Outperform | — |
| 8 Dec 2025 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 3 Nov 2025 | Baird | Maintains | Neutral | — |
| 8 Oct 2025 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 6 Oct 2025 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 6 Aug 2025 | Barclays | Maintains | Underweight | — |
| 4 Aug 2025 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 28 July 2025 | Baird | Maintains | Neutral | — |
| 1 July 2025 | Baird | Reinstates | Neutral | $9.00 |
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Not the forecast itself — the direction analysts are revising it. Revision direction is one of the model's factor families.
A margin means little on its own. Each bar marks where the figure sits across the whole US universe we score.
Cheaper than 14% of US stocks
Cheaper than 64% of US stocks
Cheaper than 64% of US stocks
Cheaper than 37% of US stocks
Higher than 14% of US stocks
Higher than 20% of US stocks
Higher than 10% of US stocks
Higher than 30% of US stocks
Higher than 26% of US stocks
Higher than 41% of US stocks
Higher than 36% of US stocks
Higher than 14% of US dividend payers
Bars mark the percentile across the ~4,600 US stocks Ticker Nerd covers, among those reporting the figure.
The nearest names by industry and size, scored by the same model — like for like.
Computed off the Friday close and sent before the US open.
Market Radar reports the week’s largest rank changes across roughly 4,600 US stocks, the factor behind each one, and where the market went. HTLD appears on the weeks it earns a place.
Heartland Express (HTLD) reported its Q2 2026 earnings, with the article noting that key metrics can be compared to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
Why it matters — HTLD watchers would care because the quarterly earnings report offers insight into the company's recent financial performance relative to analyst expectations and prior results.
Heartland Express, Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter of 2026, showing operating revenue of $184.1 million and net income of $10.6 million. The company also reported an operating ratio of 91.0%, repurchased 172,061 shares of common stock, and made $15 million in payments to reduce acquisition-related debt.
Why it matters — The quarter's improved operating ratio and debt-reduction payments indicate operational efficiency and continued progress on the company's post-acquisition balance sheet strategy.
The 6 Wall Street analysts covering Heartland Express, Inc. have a median 12-month price target of $13, with estimates ranging from $11 to $16. These are third-party analyst estimates, not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Of the 6 analysts covering Heartland Express, Inc., 1 rate it a Buy, 3 a Hold and 2 a Sell. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model ranks Heartland Express, Inc. 78 out of 100 across roughly 4,600 US stocks as at 1 Aug 2026. None of this is personal advice — it does not consider your circumstances.
As at 1 Aug 2026, Heartland Express, Inc. ranks 78 out of 100 on Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model — a percentile across roughly 4,600 US stocks, built from its factor families. Its strongest factor family is Accruals (96 of 100).
No one can know that. What the data says: the median 12-month target from 6 analysts implies +6.1% from the last close, and Ticker Nerd's factor model ranks Heartland Express, Inc. 78 out of 100 as at 1 Aug 2026. Analyst targets are third-party estimates and frequently wrong; none of this is personal advice.
No analyst covering Heartland Express, Inc. publishes a 2030 price target — Wall Street targets run 12 to 18 months out. Sites quoting a 2030 price for HTLD are extrapolating price history, which says nothing about the business. The furthest attributed numbers are the current analyst targets: $11 to $16 over the next 12 months.
Heartland Express, Inc. returned +64.0% over the 12 months to 3 Aug 2026, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
Heartland Express Inc. is a pivotal player in the North American transportation and logistics industry.
The most recent item we track (Zacks Investment Research, 30 July 2026): "Heartland Express (HTLD) Q2 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates". Heartland Express (HTLD) reported its Q2 2026 earnings, with the article noting that key metrics can be compared to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
Heartland Express Inc. is a pivotal player in the North American transportation and logistics industry. Specializing in short- to medium-haul truckload carrier services, the company primarily focuses on transporting freight for major shippers across the United States and Canada. This asset represents a significant component of the supply chain infrastructure, facilitating efficient movement of goods across diverse sectors such as retail, manufacturing, and consumer products. Founded in 1978 and based in North Liberty, Iowa, Heartland Express Inc. has established a reputation for reliability and timely delivery, employing state-of-the-art technology and a fleet of modern vehicles to optimize routes and fuel efficiency. This enables the company to maintain competitive service levels and environmental sustainability. Heartland Express Inc.'s role in logistics is underscored by its capacity to adapt to changing market demands, thereby holding an influential position within the transportation network essential for economic activity across North America.
CEO Mr. Michael J. Gerdin · 3,630 employees · United States · https://www.heartlandexpress.com