Heartland Express to upgrade fleet

Heartland Express Inc. reported second-quarter net income of $19.1 million - and increase of $0.9 million over the same period in 2012, for a 5 percent increase.

Basic earnings per share increased 9.5 percent, to 23 cents, from 21 cents in the second-quarter 2012.

Operating revenues, however, fell to $134.0 million, from $139.7 million for the same period last year, affected  by lower fuel surcharge revenues, officials said in an earnings statement.

Meanwhile, operating income for the three and six month periods improved by $5.1 million and $12.1 million, respectively, as the transportation company disposed of property and equipment as it upgrades its fleet.

The average age of the company's tractor fleet, for example, was two years old as of June 30, compared to 2.2 years at the same time last year. The company plans to buy 800 more units throughout this year.