Vanguard Trims Heartland Express Stake to 8.6%

Ticker: HTLD · Form: SC 13G/A · Filed: Feb 13, 2024 · CIK: 799233

Complexity: simple

Sentiment: bearish

Topics: institutional-ownership, stake-reduction, amendment, trucking

TL;DR

**Vanguard cut its stake in Heartland Express to 8.6%, signaling a potential shift in their outlook.**

AI Summary

The Vanguard Group, a major investment firm based in Pennsylvania, filed an amended SC 13G/A on February 13, 2024, disclosing its ownership in Heartland Express Inc. As of December 29, 2023, Vanguard beneficially owned 7,163,890 shares of Heartland Express common stock, representing 8.6% of the company. This is a decrease from their previous reported ownership, indicating Vanguard has reduced its stake, which could signal a shift in their investment strategy or outlook on the trucking company's future performance.

Why It Matters

This filing shows that a significant institutional investor, Vanguard, has reduced its holdings in Heartland Express, which could be interpreted as a lack of confidence or a reallocation of assets, potentially influencing other investors' decisions.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — A large institutional investor reducing its stake can create selling pressure or signal concerns about the company's future, posing a moderate risk to current and prospective shareholders.

Analyst Insight

A smart investor would investigate the reasons behind Vanguard's reduction in stake, potentially looking into Heartland Express's recent financial performance, industry outlook, and competitive landscape before making any investment decisions.

Key Numbers

Key Players & Entities

Forward-Looking Statements

FAQ

What is the primary purpose of this SC 13G/A filing?

This SC 13G/A filing is an amendment (Amendment No. 6) by The Vanguard Group to update its beneficial ownership of common stock in Heartland Express Inc., as required by Rule 13d-1(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Who is the reporting person in this filing and what is their organizational state?

The reporting person is The Vanguard Group, and its place of organization is Pennsylvania, as stated in Item 4 of the filing.

What was the date of the event that triggered this filing?

The date of the event which required the filing of this statement was December 29, 2023, as specified on the cover page of the Schedule 13G/A.

How many shares of Heartland Express Inc. common stock does The Vanguard Group beneficially own, and what percentage does this represent?

The Vanguard Group beneficially owns 7,163,890 shares of Heartland Express Inc. common stock, which represents 8.6% of the class, according to the filing's cover page.

Does The Vanguard Group have sole voting power over these shares?

No, The Vanguard Group reports having 0 sole voting power over the 7,163,890 shares, as indicated in Item 5 of the filing, suggesting shared voting power or other arrangements.

Filing Stats: 809 words · 3 min read · ~3 pages · Grade level 11.4 · Accepted 2024-02-13 17:06:13

Filing Documents

(a) - Name of Issuer

Item 1(a) - Name of Issuer: Heartland Express Inc

(b) - Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

Item 1(b) - Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: 901 Heartland Way North Liberty, IA 52317

(a) - Name of Person Filing

Item 2(a) - Name of Person Filing: The Vanguard Group - 23-1945930

(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence

Item 2(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence: 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355

(c) – Citizenship

Item 2(c) – Citizenship: Pennsylvania

(d) - Title of Class of Securities

Item 2(d) - Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock

(e) - CUSIP Number

Item 2(e) - CUSIP Number 422347104

- Type of Filing

Item 3 - Type of Filing: This statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1. An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).

- Ownership

Item 4 - Ownership: (a) Amount Beneficially Owned: (b) Percent of Class: (c) Number of shares as to which such person has: (i) sole power to vote or direct to vote: (ii) shared power to vote or direct to vote: (iii) sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of: (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: Comments: The responses to questions 5 through 9 and 11 on the cover page(s) are incorporated by reference into this Item 4.

- Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

Item 5 - Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class: If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following

- Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Item 6 - Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person: The Vanguard Group, Inc.'s clients, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein. No one other person's interest in the securities reported herein is more than 5%. Item 7 - Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired The Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company: Not applicable

- Identification and Classification of Members of Group

Item 8 - Identification and Classification of Members of Group: Not applicable

- Notice of Dissolution of Group

Item 9 - Notice of Dissolution of Group: Not applicable

- Certification

Item 10 - Certification: By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11. Signature After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: February 13, 2024 By /s/ Ashley Grim Name: Ashley Grim Title: Head of Global Fund Administration

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