Heartland Express Inc (HTLD)

Financial leverage ratio

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Total assets	US$ in thousands	1,509,650	1,575,520	1,596,660	1,612,510	1,669,490	1,701,590	1,113,200	947,113	928,542	958,280	956,985	949,421	951,176	959,751	930,499	913,291	898,931	949,043	859,837	832,935
Total stockholders’ equity	US$ in thousands	865,260	861,130	872,937	866,619	855,477	840,889	817,902	742,528	727,102	708,816	741,766	722,417	724,334	721,709	702,615	684,688	684,659	673,135	653,329	631,827
Financial leverage ratio		1.74	1.83	1.83	1.86	1.95	2.02	1.36	1.28	1.28	1.35	1.29	1.31	1.31	1.33	1.32	1.33	1.31	1.41	1.32	1.32

December 31, 2023 calculation

Financial leverage ratio = Total assets ÷ Total stockholders’ equity
= $1,509,650K ÷ $865,260K
= 1.74

The financial leverage ratio of Heartland Express, Inc. has been gradually decreasing over the past eight quarters, indicating an improving trend in the company's leverage position. The ratio decreased from 2.02 in Q3 2022 to 1.74 in Q4 2023. A lower financial leverage ratio suggests that the company is relying less on debt to finance its operations and indicates a stronger equity position relative to debt. This trend may indicate that Heartland Express, Inc. has been effectively managing its debt levels, which could lead to lower financial risk and improved financial stability in the long term. However, it is important to further analyze the company's overall financial health and performance in conjunction with other ratios and factors to gain a comprehensive understanding of its leverage position.