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North Liberty-based trucking company Heartland Express Inc. reported financial results for the first quarter of 2010 on May 7. Here are some details from the Securities and Exchange Commission filing:

• Heartland Express plans to upgrade its existing fleet of truck tractors, with delivery of the equipment anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2010 and continue into the fourth quarter. The total estimated net purchase commitment, net of trades, is estimated at $53.4 million. During the fourth quarter of 2008 and all of 2009, the company placed in service 2,075 new tractors. As of March 31, the company’s tractor fleet had an average age of 1.6 years, and the trailer fleet had an average age of 5.87 years.

• In the first quarter of 2010, fuel expenses increased $5 million, or 20.3 percent, compared with the first quarter of 2009. Average diesel prices increased 30.6 percent. The company reduced its fuel purchases by 1 million gallons, an 8.1 percent decrease from the first quarter of 2009.

• Salaries, wages and benefits decreased to $40.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $44.1 million in the first quarter of 2009. Driver wages decreased $1.9 million; total fleet miles decreased because of a decline in market demand, and average driver pay per mile also decreased due to pay rate changes for new drivers that began in the second quarter of 2009.

• Heartland Express ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments of $230.5 million and a debt-free balance sheet. The company had total assets of $565.5 million as of March 31. The company achieved a return on assets of 10 percent and a return on equity of 15.5 percent for the 12 months ended March 31. Cash flow from operations for the first three months of 2010 was $28.7 million, a 9 percent decrease from the same period of 2009.