Pier Capital LLC Has $7.97 Million Holdings in Saia, Inc. $SAIA

Pier Capital LLC increased its position in Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAIA) by 79.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 26,638 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 11,819 shares during the quarter. Saia comprises about 1.2% of Pier Capital LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. Pier Capital LLC owned about 0.10% of Saia worth $7,974,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SAIA. Capital International Investors grew its position in shares of Saia by 0.8% in the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 1,419,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $424,794,000 after purchasing an additional 11,454 shares during the last quarter. Viking Global Investors LP acquired a new position in shares of Saia during the 2nd quarter worth about $226,770,000. Wasatch Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Saia by 25.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 825,687 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $226,230,000 after purchasing an additional 166,486 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Saia by 1,300.4% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 701,418 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $209,976,000 after purchasing an additional 651,332 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in Saia by 141.3% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 557,129 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $166,782,000 after purchasing an additional 326,206 shares during the period.

Saia Trading Down 7.5%

Shares of Saia stock opened at $315.75 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.42 billion, a PE ratio of 33.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 2.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $373.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $327.64. Saia, Inc. has a 52-week low of $229.12 and a 52-week high of $430.11.

Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The transportation company reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.90 by ($0.13). Saia had a return on equity of 9.86% and a net margin of 7.89%.The business had revenue of $789.95 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $773.82 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.84 earnings per share. Saia’s revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Saia, Inc. will post 15.46 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on SAIA. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $493.00 price target on shares of Saia in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Saia from $413.00 to $429.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Benchmark upped their price objective on shares of Saia from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Susquehanna cut shares of Saia from a “positive” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their target price for the company from $390.00 to $425.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered Saia from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and set a $250.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $379.47.

Insider Transactions at Saia

In other Saia news, CAO Kelly W. Benton sold 800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $389.00, for a total transaction of $311,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 3,157 shares in the company, valued at $1,228,073. This trade represents a 20.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, VP Raymond R. Ramu sold 5,226 shares of Saia stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $387.95, for a total value of $2,027,426.70. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 3,631 shares in the company, valued at $1,408,646.45. The trade was a 59.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 15,533 shares of company stock valued at $6,015,055. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the company’s stock.

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.