Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA – Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Thursday. The transportation company reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.30 by $0.11, FiscalAI reports. Saia had a net margin of 8.19% and a return on equity of 10.21%. The firm had revenue of $982.45 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $966.98 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.81 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis.
Here are the key takeaways from Saia’s conference call:
- Record third-quarter results: Revenue rose 17% to $982.5 million, tonnage increased 8.9%, operating income grew 17.5%, and adjusted diluted EPS increased 21.4% to $3.41. The 87.6% operating ratio was stable year over year despite typically unfavorable seasonal trends.
- Network investments and the REV initiative are improving service and density. Saia reported record-low cargo claims of 0.3%, a 15% increase in internal Net Promoter Score, improved handling efficiency, and faster transit times across more than 2,000 lanes.
- Management expects fourth-quarter operating-ratio deterioration from Q3 to be roughly 200 basis points, better than the historical 250–300 basis-point seasonal increase, implying more than 200 basis points of year-over-year improvement. Executives also see continued margin expansion into 2027 as newer terminals gain density.
- The board authorized up to $250 million in share repurchases, supported by more than $240 million of year-to-date free cash flow, $203 million in cash, only $100 million of debt, and moderating capital expenditures as the major network buildout concludes.
- Profitability remains exposed to mix and cost pressures. Heavier shipments increased network complexity and contributed to a 2.2% year-over-year decline in fuel-excluded yield, while wages, health insurance, purchased transportation, and fuel expenses continued to rise; newer terminals also remain below company-average profitability and the Los Angeles region remained weak.
Saia Stock Up 3.1%
Shares of NASDAQ:SAIA traded up $10.07 during trading on Thursday, hitting $334.69. 477,084 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 462,365. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.25, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 2.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.58. Saia has a 12-month low of $249.32 and a 12-month high of $494.71. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $342.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $387.73.
Analyst Ratings Changes
SAIA has been the topic of several research reports. Evercore raised shares of Saia from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Saia in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Saia in a research note on Thursday. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Saia from $445.00 to $400.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Saia from $527.00 to $504.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $437.58.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on Saia
Saia News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting Saia this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q3 earnings and revenue exceeded expectations. Saia reported diluted EPS of $3.41, above the roughly $3.30-$3.31 analyst consensus, while revenue reached a record $982.5 million versus estimates near $967 million. Revenue increased 17% year over year, and adjusted EPS rose from $2.81 in the prior-year quarter. Saia Q3 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
- Positive Sentiment: Operating performance and freight volumes remained strong. Record LTL tonnage per workday increased 8.9%, shipments per workday rose 0.8%, and LTL revenue per shipment excluding fuel surcharges increased 5.8%. Year-to-date free cash flow exceeded $240 million, supporting continued network investment and shareholder returns. Saia Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
- Positive Sentiment: Saia authorized up to $250 million in share repurchases. The buyback signals management confidence in cash generation and could support per-share results, although the timing and amount of purchases will depend on market conditions. Saia Authorizes a Buyback Plan
- Neutral Sentiment: Board expertise was expanded. Todd C. Fowler, a transportation, logistics, capital-markets and autonomous-trucking specialist, joined Saia’s board and its Audit Committee. The appointment may strengthen strategic and capital-allocation oversight, but its financial impact is not immediate. Saia Appoints Todd Fowler to Board
- Negative Sentiment: Profitability metrics showed some pressure. The operating ratio worsened to 87.6% from 85.9% a year earlier, indicating expenses grew faster than revenue. LTL revenue per hundredweight excluding fuel surcharges declined 2.2%, while planned 2026 net capital expenditures of approximately $350 million remain substantial.
Saia Company Profile
Saia, Inc is a transportation and logistics company headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia. Through its primary subsidiary, Saia LTL Freight, the company provides less-than-truckload transportation, moving palletized and other freight shipments that do not require a full trailer. Its services include standard and time-definite delivery, expedited transportation, guaranteed services, and shipment tracking.
Saia also provides non-asset-based logistics services through Saia Logistics Services, which helps customers arrange freight transportation using third-party carriers.
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