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

Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The transportation company reported $3.51 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.67 earnings per share. Saia’s revenue was up 17.1% on a year-over-year basis.

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 Trading Down 12.4%

SAIA traded down $48.84 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $345.60. 758,978 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 489,038. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.32, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 2.13. Saia has a one year low of $249.32 and a one year high of $494.71. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $441.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $406.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.52 and a current ratio of 1.52.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SAIA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Stephens raised Saia to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Saia in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Susquehanna lifted their price target on Saia from $465.00 to $470.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Saia from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Saia from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $524.00 to $488.00 in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, Saia has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $462.72.

Institutional Trading of Saia

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SAIA. Quarry LP grew its holdings in shares of Saia by 8,400.0% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 85 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Saia in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in Saia during the 3rd quarter worth $60,000. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in Saia during the 3rd quarter worth $60,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in Saia during the fourth quarter worth about $71,000.

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

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.