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Heartland Express vs Universal Logistics Holdings

Universal Logistics Holdings is the larger business, with $1.56bn of revenue in fiscal 2025 against $806m for Heartland Express (1.9 times as much). Universal Logistics Holdings grew faster (-15.6% against -23.1%). Universal Logistics Holdings kept more of each dollar of sales as profit: a net margin of -6.4% against -6.5%. Heartland Express carries less debt relative to equity (21.2% against 148.5%).

Latest fiscal yearHeartland ExpressHTLD, 2025Universal Logistics HoldingsULH, 2025
Revenue $806m $1.56bn
Revenue growth -23.1% -15.6%
Net income −$52.5m −$99.9m
Operating margin -7.1% -4.1%
Net margin -6.5% -6.4%
Return on equity -6.6% -16.8%
Free cash flow −$66.9m −$41.1m
Cash $18.5m $26.8m
Total debt $160m $802m
Debt to equity 21.2% 148.5%
Dividend per share $0.08 $0.42
Dividend yield 0.8% 1.5%
Share buybacks $10.4m $85,000
Employees — 10,525
Market value $818m $822m
Price vs our value range — —
Moat score 48 (Moderate) 43 (Weak)
Insider trades, 12 months 0 buys, 0 sales 0 buys, 0 sales

Each figure is from the company's latest annual report and links to the page it comes from. Fiscal years can end on different dates. Market value and the value verdict use the delayed price shown on the stock pages. Not a recommendation.

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Figures from each company's latest annual report filed with the SEC (10-K or 20-F), as reported, with the fiscal year shown. Not investment advice. How we read filings: methodology.