Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) Issues Earnings Results

Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The transportation company reported $1.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.82 by $0.04, Briefing.com reports. The firm had revenue of $806.23 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $789.08 million. Saia had a return on equity of 9.60% and a net margin of 7.84%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.86 EPS.

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

• Saia reported strong operational and service metrics in Q1, including a cargo claims ratio of 0.5%, record first-quarter miles between preventable accidents, improved hours between lost-time injuries, and productivity (touches) up ~2.5% year-over-year.
• Revenue was a Q1 record at $806.2 million (+2.4% year-over-year) with shipments up 1% for the quarter and contractual renewals of 6.7%, signaling improving customer traction and pricing momentum.
• Profitability was pressured by a rapid ~30% diesel price spike in March that created an estimated $3.5 million margin headwind due to weekly fuel-surcharge timing, and the operating ratio widened to 91.7% with diluted EPS flat at $1.86 year-over-year.
• Management highlighted continued heavy investment in the national network — roughly $1.8 billion over 36 months and 70 new facilities since 2017 — and expects material leverage as ramping terminals mature, targeting ~400–450 bps of OR improvement Q1→Q2 if seasonality holds.

Saia Price Performance

Shares of Saia stock traded down $7.56 during trading on Friday, reaching $441.26. 427,584 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 487,603. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 1.52. Saia has a 1-year low of $244.94 and a 1-year high of $457.99. The company has a market cap of $11.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.35, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 2.04. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $382.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $346.22.

Key Saia News

Here are the key news stories impacting Saia this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management expects a meaningful improvement in profitability: Saia guided to a 400–450 basis-point sequential improvement in the operating ratio in Q2 as volumes accelerate, signaling stronger margin recovery ahead. Saia anticipates 400-450 bps sequential operating ratio improvement in Q2 2026 as volumes accelerate
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results slightly beat expectations: Saia reported EPS of $1.86 vs. $1.82 consensus and revenue of $806.2M vs. $789.1M, with management noting upticks in shipments — fundamentals that support upside if the margin recovery materializes. Saia Reports First Quarter Results (press release) Saia reports upticks in Q1 shipments
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts lifted targets and ratings today, providing near-term support: Benchmark raised its target to $500 (buy), JPMorgan boosted its target to $465 (overweight), and Wells Fargo raised its target to $445 (equal weight) — signaling improved sell‑side sentiment. Benchmark target raise coverage Benzinga: analyst price target changes
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call showed operational progress but a cautious tone: management highlighted network expansion and operational discipline as growth drivers while stopping short of aggressive near-term margin guidance beyond Q2 hopes. Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple media summaries and deep-dives confirm the mixed picture — sales strength and network investments offset by cost pressures; these write-ups help explain both the bullish analyst moves and investor caution. Deep dive: network expansion and cost pressures
• Negative Sentiment: EPS was flat year-over-year ($1.86 in both Q1 2026 and Q1 2025), which may disappoint growth-focused investors and help explain profit-taking after recent gains. Earnings recap showing EPS flat YoY
• Negative Sentiment: Technical/flow factors likely contributed: trading volume was below average and the shares are trading near 12‑month highs, which can amplify pullbacks as investors lock in gains.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SAIA has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Saia from $500.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Benchmark upped their price objective on shares of Saia from $425.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Saia from $402.00 to $465.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $477.00 target price on shares of Saia in a report on Friday. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Saia from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, April 26th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $440.83.

Insider Transactions at Saia

In other news, VP Raymond R. Ramu sold 5,226 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 3,631 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,408,646.45. This represents a 59.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Kelly W. Benton sold 800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the chief accounting officer owned 3,157 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,228,073. The trade was a 20.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 15,533 shares of company stock valued at $6,015,055. Company insiders own 0.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Saia

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SAIA. Viking Global Investors LP acquired a new stake in shares of Saia during the 2nd quarter valued at $226,770,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Saia by 1,300.4% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 701,418 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $209,976,000 after acquiring an additional 651,332 shares during the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new position in Saia in the 3rd quarter worth about $56,305,000. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Saia by 33.0% in the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 740,798 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $241,885,000 after purchasing an additional 183,669 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wasatch Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Saia by 25.3% during the second quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 825,687 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $226,230,000 after purchasing an additional 166,486 shares in the last quarter.

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.