Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) Posts Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.13 EPS

Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The transportation company reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.90 by ($0.13), FiscalAI reports. Saia had a return on equity of 11.32% and a net margin of 8.77%.The company had revenue of $789.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $773.82 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.84 earnings per share. Saia’s quarterly revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Saia’s conference call:

• Management highlighted a record quarter ($790M) and record 2025 revenue, saying the $2 billion of recent capital investment and a now-national footprint drove market-share gains and profitable ramping terminals while customer service metrics (cargo claims and safety) hit company records.
• Volumes were weak: shipments per day were down 0.5% and tonnage down 1.5% in Q4, with Southern California volumes down ~18% (an estimated ~$4M revenue headwind) and modest declines in weight and length of haul.
• Costs pressured results: the Q4 operating ratio deteriorated to 91.9% (vs. 87.1% a year ago) driven by a ~ $4.7M adverse reserve build on prior accidents plus rising self-insurance, health insurance and depreciation, and diluted EPS fell to $1.77 from $2.84.
• Management said pricing capture is improving — GRI acceptance was slightly above historic levels and contractual renewals averaged 4.9% in Q4 (6.6% in January) — and they are actively pushing to be compensated for the investment-backed service expansion.
• Outlook: Saia expects to scale the network (management cites ~20–25% excess capacity) and projects a potential 100–200 basis point improvement in operating ratio in 2026 if macro conditions normalize or improve, while guiding ~$350–400M CapEx (largely maintenance/fleet) and noting a manageable balance sheet (~$164M total debt).

Saia Stock Performance

NASDAQ:SAIA opened at $381.64 on Wednesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $349.78 and its 200 day moving average is $314.82. The firm has a market cap of $10.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.04 and a beta of 2.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 1.68. Saia has a 52-week low of $229.12 and a 52-week high of $507.39.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on SAIA shares. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Saia from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Saia from $343.00 to $371.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Saia in a research report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Saia in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, National Bankshares set a $413.00 price objective on Saia in a report on Tuesday. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $352.55.

Insider Transactions at Saia

In related news, Director Donna E. Epps purchased 422 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $277.60 per share, for a total transaction of $117,147.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,852 shares in the company, valued at approximately $514,115.20. This represents a 29.51% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Raymond R. Ramu sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $266.57, for a total transaction of $266,570.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 4,902 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,306,726.14. This trade represents a 16.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in Saia during the third quarter valued at $60,000. Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in shares of Saia in the 3rd quarter valued at about $60,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Saia by 471.2% during the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 417 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $125,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Saia by 7.3% during the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 532 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $159,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming grew its holdings in shares of Saia by 502.0% during the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 608 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $199,000 after purchasing an additional 507 shares in the last quarter.

Key Headlines Impacting Saia

Here are the key news stories impacting Saia this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management says recent network buildout should drive scale and is targeting a 100–200 basis point improvement in the operating ratio as the expanded footprint matures — a clear long‑term improvement lever if execution continues. Saia outlines 100–200 basis point OR improvement target
• Positive Sentiment: Revenue beat consensus: SAIA reported roughly $790M in Q4 vs. Street sales estimates near $774M, suggesting demand/stability in freight volumes even as profitability pressured. Saia’s Q4 CY2025 Sales Beat Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Company highlights that its multi‑year capital program (about $2B invested to expand the network) should pay off over time; investors must balance that upside against near‑term margin pressure from the investment cycle. Saia awaits payoff on $2B investment
• Neutral Sentiment: If you want more color from management and the call, the Q4 earnings call transcript and conference materials are available for review (useful to judge cadence on OR targets, capex and margin recovery timing). Saia Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings miss and weaker margins: Q4 diluted EPS was $1.77 vs. consensus ~$1.90; operating income fell ~36.9% year‑over‑year and the Q4 operating ratio widened to 91.9% from 87.1% a year ago — signs of margin pressure. Saia Reports Fourth Quarter Results
• Negative Sentiment: Unexpected cost hit from elevated self‑insurance tied to prior accidents (~$4.7M) weighed on Q4 results — this kind of volatility increases near‑term earnings risk. Saia Reports Fourth Quarter Results
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst reaction: Morgan Stanley downgraded SAIA to Underweight and cut its price target to $250, signaling significant downside risk in some sell‑side views and likely contributing to the share decline. Morgan Stanley downgrades Saia to Underweight

Saia Company Profile

Saia, Inc is a publicly traded transportation company specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services across North America. Headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia, the company focuses on the efficient movement of time-sensitive freight for a diverse customer base that spans retail, manufacturing, automotive, and healthcare industries. By leveraging a network of terminals and service centers, Saia provides tailored solutions designed to optimize supply chain performance.

The company’s core offerings include regional, interregional, and national LTL shipping, supported by volumetric LTL and port intermodal services.