Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.13 EPS

Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The transportation company reported $3.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.38 by $0.13, Briefing.com reports. Saia had a return on equity of 9.60% and a net margin of 7.84%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.67 earnings per share.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Saia reported record second-quarter revenue of $956.5 million, up 17.1% year over year, while operating income rose 26% and diluted EPS increased 31.5% to $3.51. The operating ratio improved to 86.9% from 87.8% a year earlier.
• Positive Sentiment: Freight trends improved through the quarter, with shipments per workday up 4.4%, tonnage per workday up 8.4%, and weight per shipment rising for the seventh consecutive month. July month-to-date tonnage was up approximately 7.5%, although shipment growth was about 1% amid some volatility following the July price increase.
• Positive Sentiment: Pricing momentum strengthened, with revenue per shipment excluding fuel surcharge improving about 4% from April to June and contractual renewals reaching 10.7%. Saia said its 7.1% general rate increase implemented in July has received better-than-normal customer acceptance.
• Positive Sentiment: The company launched Saia REV, including more than 2,000 transit-time improvements, automated guaranteed 10:00 a.m. delivery, and enhanced real-time shipment visibility. Management believes these service enhancements should support customer retention and future pricing realization.
• Negative Sentiment: Elevated costs remain a headwind, particularly fuel, purchase transportation, insurance, and labor. Management expects approximately 100 basis points of sequential operating-ratio deterioration in the third quarter, partly reflecting a July wage increase and shipment volatility after the GRI, though this is better than typical seasonal deterioration.

Saia Stock Down 12.0%

Shares of SAIA traded down $47.19 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $347.25. 773,131 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 489,177. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $441.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $406.34. Saia has a twelve month low of $249.32 and a twelve month high of $494.71. The stock has a market cap of $9.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 2.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Saia

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of SAIA. Vestor Capital LLC raised its holdings in Saia by 9.5% during the fourth quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 323 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $96,000 after buying an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Saia by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 563 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $184,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Saia by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC now owns 1,401 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $384,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Saia by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 1,075 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $295,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Saia by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 978 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $268,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares in the last quarter.

Key Stories Impacting Saia

Here are the key news stories impacting Saia this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Saia reported second-quarter diluted EPS of $3.51, above analyst estimates of roughly $3.34–$3.38 and up from $2.67 a year earlier. Revenue rose 17.1% to a record $956.5 million, while operating income increased 26% to $125.2 million. Saia Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Operating execution remained solid: the operating ratio improved to 86.9% from 87.8%, LTL tonnage per workday increased 8.4%, shipments rose 4.4%, and the company achieved a record-low 0.3% claims ratio. Saia also ended the quarter with $84 million of cash and $100.1 million of debt. Saia Reports Second Quarter Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Capital spending is expected to remain substantial at approximately $350 million to $400 million in 2026, although first-half net capital expenditures were lower than in the prior-year period. Saia Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent institutional positioning was mixed, with some large funds reducing holdings while others added shares. Recent analyst price targets also varied widely, indicating continued disagreement about Saia’s earnings outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Management expects approximately 100 basis points of sequential operating-ratio deterioration in the third quarter. Investors are concerned that a July company-wide wage increase, higher fuel and purchased-transportation costs, and elevated insurance and workers’ compensation expenses will pressure profitability. Saia’s Q3 Margin Guidance Disappoints Investors
• Negative Sentiment: Early July trends were mixed: tonnage was up approximately 7.5% month to date, but shipment growth was only about 1%, with volatility following Saia’s 7.1% general rate increase. This raised concerns about demand and pricing after the strong second quarter. Saia Slides Despite Strong Q2

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on SAIA shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Saia from $450.00 to $470.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 4th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Saia from $445.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Saia from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Saia from $465.00 to $490.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $450.00 target price on Saia in a research note on Friday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $462.72.

About Saia

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.