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Heartland Express (HTLD) Competitors

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$12.32 -0.02 (-0.16%)
Closing price 05/13/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$12.44 +0.12 (+0.97%)
As of 04:06 AM Eastern
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HTLD vs. ARCB, HUBG, JBHT, LSTR, and MRTN

Should you buy Heartland Express stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Heartland Express with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Heartland Express include ArcBest (ARCB), Hub Group (HUBG), J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), Landstar System (LSTR), and Marten Transport (MRTN). These companies are all part of the "transportation" sector.

How does Heartland Express compare to ArcBest?

ArcBest (NASDAQ:ARCB) and Heartland Express (NASDAQ:HTLD) are both transportation companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment and dividends.

ArcBest has a net margin of 1.38% compared to Heartland Express' net margin of -5.69%. ArcBest's return on equity of 6.15% beat Heartland Express' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
ArcBest1.38% 6.15% 3.24%
Heartland Express -5.69%-3.70%-2.30%

ArcBest has higher revenue and earnings than Heartland Express. Heartland Express is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than ArcBest, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
ArcBest$4.04B0.61$60.10M$2.4345.88
Heartland Express$805.71M1.18-$52.45M-$0.56N/A

ArcBest pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Heartland Express pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. ArcBest pays out 19.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Heartland Express pays out -14.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Heartland Express is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

ArcBest has a beta of 1.55, meaning that its share price is 55% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Heartland Express has a beta of 1.28, meaning that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market.

99.3% of ArcBest shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 53.5% of Heartland Express shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of ArcBest shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 41.6% of Heartland Express shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

ArcBest currently has a consensus target price of $123.42, suggesting a potential upside of 10.71%. Heartland Express has a consensus target price of $12.20, suggesting a potential downside of 0.97%. Given ArcBest's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe ArcBest is more favorable than Heartland Express.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
ArcBest
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
Heartland Express
3 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.71

In the previous week, ArcBest had 1 more articles in the media than Heartland Express. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for ArcBest and 4 mentions for Heartland Express. Heartland Express' average media sentiment score of 1.19 beat ArcBest's score of 0.99 indicating that Heartland Express is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
ArcBest
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Heartland Express
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

ArcBest beats Heartland Express on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Heartland Express compare to Hub Group?

Heartland Express (NASDAQ:HTLD) and Hub Group (NASDAQ:HUBG) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, media sentiment and risk.

In the previous week, Hub Group had 14 more articles in the media than Heartland Express. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Hub Group and 4 mentions for Heartland Express. Heartland Express' average media sentiment score of 1.19 beat Hub Group's score of 0.29 indicating that Heartland Express is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Heartland Express
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Hub Group
3 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Heartland Express currently has a consensus target price of $12.20, suggesting a potential downside of 0.97%. Hub Group has a consensus target price of $43.71, suggesting a potential upside of 15.19%. Given Hub Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Hub Group is more favorable than Heartland Express.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Heartland Express
3 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.71
Hub Group
1 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.35

Hub Group has a net margin of 2.82% compared to Heartland Express' net margin of -5.69%. Hub Group's return on equity of 6.58% beat Heartland Express' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Heartland Express-5.69% -3.70% -2.30%
Hub Group 2.82%6.58%3.97%

53.5% of Heartland Express shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 46.8% of Hub Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 41.6% of Heartland Express shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.5% of Hub Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Hub Group has higher revenue and earnings than Heartland Express. Heartland Express is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hub Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Heartland Express$805.71M1.18-$52.45M-$0.56N/A
Hub Group$3.73B0.62$103.99M$1.7321.94

Heartland Express has a beta of 1.28, indicating that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Hub Group has a beta of 1.26, indicating that its share price is 26% more volatile than the broader market.

Heartland Express pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Hub Group pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Heartland Express pays out -14.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hub Group pays out 28.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Summary

Hub Group beats Heartland Express on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Heartland Express compare to J.B. Hunt Transport Services?

Heartland Express (NASDAQ:HTLD) and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (NASDAQ:JBHT) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, media sentiment and risk.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a net margin of 5.13% compared to Heartland Express' net margin of -5.69%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services' return on equity of 17.30% beat Heartland Express' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Heartland Express-5.69% -3.70% -2.30%
J.B. Hunt Transport Services 5.13%17.30%7.73%

Heartland Express currently has a consensus target price of $12.20, suggesting a potential downside of 0.97%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a consensus target price of $228.17, suggesting a potential downside of 4.05%. Given Heartland Express' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Heartland Express is more favorable than J.B. Hunt Transport Services.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Heartland Express
3 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.71
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
0 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
12 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58

Heartland Express pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. J.B. Hunt Transport Services pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Heartland Express pays out -14.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. J.B. Hunt Transport Services pays out 27.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. J.B. Hunt Transport Services has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years. J.B. Hunt Transport Services is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

53.5% of Heartland Express shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of J.B. Hunt Transport Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 41.6% of Heartland Express shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of J.B. Hunt Transport Services shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Heartland Express has a beta of 1.28, indicating that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, J.B. Hunt Transport Services has a beta of 1.28, indicating that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, J.B. Hunt Transport Services had 5 more articles in the media than Heartland Express. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for J.B. Hunt Transport Services and 4 mentions for Heartland Express. J.B. Hunt Transport Services' average media sentiment score of 1.21 beat Heartland Express' score of 1.19 indicating that J.B. Hunt Transport Services is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Heartland Express
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
6 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has higher revenue and earnings than Heartland Express. Heartland Express is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than J.B. Hunt Transport Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Heartland Express$805.71M1.18-$52.45M-$0.56N/A
J.B. Hunt Transport Services$12.00B1.87$598.28M$6.4636.81

Summary

J.B. Hunt Transport Services beats Heartland Express on 16 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Heartland Express compare to Landstar System?

Landstar System (NASDAQ:LSTR) and Heartland Express (NASDAQ:HTLD) are both transportation companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, earnings and risk.

Landstar System pays an annual dividend of $1.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Heartland Express pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Landstar System pays out 44.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Heartland Express pays out -14.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Landstar System has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years. Landstar System is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Landstar System has higher revenue and earnings than Heartland Express. Heartland Express is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Landstar System, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Landstar System$4.74B1.25$115.01M$3.6248.34
Heartland Express$805.71M1.18-$52.45M-$0.56N/A

Landstar System has a net margin of 2.62% compared to Heartland Express' net margin of -5.69%. Landstar System's return on equity of 19.49% beat Heartland Express' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Landstar System2.62% 19.49% 10.06%
Heartland Express -5.69%-3.70%-2.30%

Landstar System presently has a consensus target price of $179.36, indicating a potential upside of 2.50%. Heartland Express has a consensus target price of $12.20, indicating a potential downside of 0.97%. Given Landstar System's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Landstar System is more favorable than Heartland Express.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Landstar System
0 Sell rating(s)
12 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.21
Heartland Express
3 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.71

Landstar System has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its share price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Heartland Express has a beta of 1.28, suggesting that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market.

98.0% of Landstar System shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 53.5% of Heartland Express shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Landstar System shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 41.6% of Heartland Express shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Landstar System had 11 more articles in the media than Heartland Express. MarketBeat recorded 15 mentions for Landstar System and 4 mentions for Heartland Express. Heartland Express' average media sentiment score of 1.19 beat Landstar System's score of 0.61 indicating that Heartland Express is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Landstar System
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Heartland Express
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Landstar System beats Heartland Express on 15 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Heartland Express compare to Marten Transport?

Heartland Express (NASDAQ:HTLD) and Marten Transport (NASDAQ:MRTN) are both small-cap transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, media sentiment, dividends, analyst recommendations and risk.

Heartland Express pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Marten Transport pays an annual dividend of $0.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Heartland Express pays out -14.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Marten Transport pays out 126.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Marten Transport has a net margin of 1.68% compared to Heartland Express' net margin of -5.69%. Marten Transport's return on equity of 1.89% beat Heartland Express' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Heartland Express-5.69% -3.70% -2.30%
Marten Transport 1.68%1.89%1.50%

53.5% of Heartland Express shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 69.1% of Marten Transport shares are held by institutional investors. 41.6% of Heartland Express shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 22.6% of Marten Transport shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Heartland Express currently has a consensus target price of $12.20, indicating a potential downside of 0.97%. Given Heartland Express' higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Heartland Express is more favorable than Marten Transport.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Heartland Express
3 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.71
Marten Transport
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Heartland Express has a beta of 1.28, meaning that its stock price is 28% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Marten Transport has a beta of 0.89, meaning that its stock price is 11% less volatile than the broader market.

Marten Transport has higher revenue and earnings than Heartland Express. Heartland Express is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Marten Transport, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Heartland Express$805.71M1.18-$52.45M-$0.56N/A
Marten Transport$883.65M1.38$17.44M$0.1978.95

In the previous week, Marten Transport had 1 more articles in the media than Heartland Express. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Marten Transport and 4 mentions for Heartland Express. Heartland Express' average media sentiment score of 1.19 beat Marten Transport's score of 0.31 indicating that Heartland Express is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Heartland Express
1 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Marten Transport
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Summary

Marten Transport beats Heartland Express on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding HTLD and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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HTLD vs. The Competition

MetricHeartland ExpressTRANS IndustryTransportation SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$956.22M$9.21B$8.18B$12.20B
Dividend Yield0.65%0.99%965.00%5.30%
P/E Ratio-22.0071.9122.5225.58
Price / Sales1.181.754.4578.80
Price / Cash7.8414.658.1655.34
Price / Book1.274.222.126.66
Net Income-$52.45M$169.32M$533.83M$333.63M
7 Day Performance-5.08%-5.69%-1.75%-0.12%
1 Month Performance12.00%-0.67%1.49%3.93%
1 Year Performance35.09%22.23%34.24%36.07%

Heartland Express Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
HTLD
Heartland Express
2.2029 of 5 stars
$12.32
-0.2%
$12.20
-1.0%
+38.3%$956.22M$805.71MN/A4,560
ARCB
ArcBest
4.2391 of 5 stars
$118.17
+2.1%
$123.42
+4.4%
+59.3%$2.63B$4.04B48.6314,000
HUBG
Hub Group
4.2063 of 5 stars
$41.81
+1.9%
$43.20
+3.3%
+6.8%$2.56B$3.73B24.176,500
JBHT
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
4.2352 of 5 stars
$243.04
+2.0%
$227.04
-6.6%
+61.4%$22.92B$12.00B37.6231,750
LSTR
Landstar System
3.8886 of 5 stars
$180.32
+1.9%
$178.45
-1.0%
+24.8%$6.12B$4.74B49.811,378

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This page (NASDAQ:HTLD) was last updated on 5/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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