MetaCap

Elite Express (ETS) vs Heartland Express (HTLD)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Elite Express (ETS) has outperformed Heartland Express (HTLD) over the past year, gaining 77.6% versus a gain of 34.1%. Heartland Express is the larger company by market cap ($874.2 million vs $65.9 million), about 13.3 times the size. Heartland Express pays a dividend yielding 0.71%, while Elite Express does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

ETS+77.59%HTLD+34.13%
+223%+80%-62%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
ETS+1.36%HTLD+28.77%
+92%+7%-79%
Aug 18, 20255 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

ETS versus HTLD key metrics
MetricETSHTLD
Share price$1.48$11.31
Market cap$65.93M$874.25M
1-day change-0.67%+0.22%
YTD return+201.62%+24.92%
1-year return+77.59%+34.13%
5-year return—-31.93%
Forward P/E—22.52
EPS (TTM)$-0.29$-0.29
Dividend yield0.00%0.71%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.08
52-week high$2.75$16.64
52-week low$0.39$7.00
Distance from 52-week high-46.18%-32.06%
Analyst consensus—hold
Avg. price target upside—+16.76%
Average volume247.79K728.65K
Shares outstanding44.55M77.33M
Employees—3,630
SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
IndustryTrucking Freight/Courier ServicesTrucking Freight/Courier Services

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • Heartland Express is about 13.3 times larger than Elite Express by market value ($874.25M vs $65.93M).
  • ETS has outperformed HTLD by 43.5 percentage points over the past year.

About Heartland Express

HTLD stock →

Heartland Express, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides short, medium, and long-haul truckload carrier and transportation services in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It primarily provides nationwide asset-based dry van truckload services for shippers; cross-border freight and other transportation services; and temperature-controlled truckload services.

Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 3,630 employees

ETS vs HTLD FAQ

Which is bigger, Elite Express or Heartland Express?

Heartland Express (HTLD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $874.25M compared with $65.93M for Elite Express (ETS).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, ETS or HTLD?

ETS returned +77.59% over the past 12 months, compared with +34.13% for HTLD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, Elite Express or Heartland Express?

Heartland Express pays a dividend yielding 0.71%, while Elite Express does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Elite Express and Heartland Express in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Trucking Freight/Courier Services industry within the Industrials sector.

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