Can Heartland Express (HTLD) Run Higher on Rising Earnings Estimates?

Heartland Express (HTLD) could be a solid choice for investors given the company's remarkably improving earnings outlook. While the stock has been a strong performer lately, this trend might continue since analysts are still raising their earnings estimates for the company.The upward trend in estimate revisions for this trucking and logistics company reflects growing optimism of analysts on its earnings prospects, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.Consensus earnings estimates for the next quarter and full year have moved considerably higher for Heartland Express, as there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising estimates.The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSCurrent-Quarter Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $0.02 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +114.3%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Heartland Express has increased 126.67% over the last 30 days, as two estimates have gone higher compared to no negative revisions.Current-Year Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $0.04 per share for the full year, which represents a change of +108.3% from the prior-year number.In terms of estimate revisions, the trend for the current year also appears quite encouraging for Heartland Express. Over the past month, two estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revisions, helping the consensus estimate increase 114.58%.Favorable Zacks RankThanks to promising estimate revisions, Heartland Express currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.Bottom LineWhile strong estimate revisions for Heartland Express have attracted decent investments and pushed the stock 14.9% higher over the past four weeks, further upside may still be left in the stock. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge GainsQuantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks