Heartland 3Q Profit Falls 25 Percent

Net income fell to $17.1 million, or 18 cents per share, from $23 million, or 23 cents per share, in the same quarter of 2006. Revenue edged down to $146.6 million from $147.1 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 20 cents per share on revenue of $153.9 million, on average.

Expenses rose 5 percent to $120.1 million from $114.5 million. Furthermore, the company recorded a gain of about $493,000 on the disposal of property and equipment, versus a comparable gain of $4.8 million in the year-ago period.

Heartland Express shares rose 5 cents to close at $14.20.