saia stock guide

Saia, Inc. (SAIA)

saia stock is the common equity of Saia, Inc., traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker SAIA. This guide covers company background, business model, financial profile, stock market behavior, analyst coverage, ownership, governance, risks, recent news with dated sources, and how to follow SAIA through investor relations and market platforms. The content is aimed at beginners and intermediate investors who want a structured, fact‑based reference without investment advice. For trading or custody options, consider Bitget and Bitget Wallet for a centralized exchange and secure wallet solution.

Ticker and Exchange

• Ticker symbol: SAIA
• Primary exchange: Nasdaq
• Trading currency: U.S. dollar (USD)
• Notable trading details: Nasdaq quotes are commonly displayed with standard market delays of 15–20 minutes on many public platforms; SAIA also trades in pre‑market and after‑hours sessions where prices can move on news.

Note: saia stock appears under the symbol SAIA on Nasdaq and is quoted in USD; real‑time streaming quotes and extended‑hours data are available through most brokerage and market data providers.

Company overview

Saia, Inc. is a U.S. less‑than‑truckload (LTL) transportation and logistics company that provides regional and interregional freight services, time‑definite options, expedited deliveries, and value‑added logistics solutions. The company’s core business is moving smaller freight shipments that do not require full truckload capacity through a network of terminals and line‑haul tractors.

Key aspects of Saia’s business model:

• Core service: LTL freight transport and time‑definite LTL options.
• Additional services: expedited shipments, dedicated truckload/over‑the‑road solutions, cross‑border services (where applicable), and logistics solutions for shippers.
• Network footprint: a terminal network across the continental U.S. designed to offer regional coverage and interregional lanes.
• Asset base: tractors, trailers, docks and terminals; operational employees including drivers, dock workers, and logistics staff.

Saia’s headquarters and scale: Saia is headquartered in the United States; historically the company has operated hundreds of terminals and thousands of tractors and trailers, serving a broad mix of manufacturing, retail, and industrial customers across North America.

This article uses public filings and market reporting as primary sources. Dates and data points are provided where available to help readers verify the figures through official filings or market sites.

Corporate history and development

Saia traces its roots to early 20th‑century regional trucking operations. Over decades the company expanded and rebranded into the Saia name used today.

Highlights of corporate development (concise chronology):

• Founding and evolution: Originally formed as regional transportation services, the company evolved into Saia through acquisitions and network expansion.
• Transition to a modern LTL carrier: Saia invested in terminal networks, information systems, and service offerings to compete with national LTL carriers.
• Recent strategic development: Saia has focused on expanding its terminal density, optimizing line‑haul efficiency, investing in technology and capital expenditures to improve network utilization and service consistency.

As with most established carriers, Saia’s growth reflects a mix of organic network densification and selective capital spending on assets and facilities to support service reliability.

Business operations and services

Saia operates as a dedicated LTL carrier with complementary service lines. The operating model centers on aggregating partial truckload shipments, sorting at terminals, and moving freight through a hub‑and‑spoke network.

Primary service offerings:

• Less‑than‑truckload (LTL): Standard LTL moves with scheduled transit times based on lane density.
• Time‑definite and expedited services: Faster delivery options for customers needing guaranteed delivery windows.
• Truckload and dedicated services: In selected lanes or for large customers, Saia can provide full truckload or dedicated fleets.
• Value‑added logistics: Warehousing, cross‑dock, and other supply‑chain services where available.
• Cross‑border operations: Services to and from Canada and Mexico generally rely on partnerships or compliance with cross‑border regulations.

Network and assets:

• Terminals: Saia’s terminals serve as local pickup/drop‑off and sorting points. Terminal density is a key competitive attribute in LTL economics; more terminals can reduce transit time and handling costs on core lanes.
• Line‑haul fleet: Tractors and trailers moving freight between terminals.
• Labor and technology: Teams of drivers, dock workers and support staff, plus TMS/WMS systems for routing, billing, and tracking.

Operational focus areas include on‑time performance, shipment density per lane, yield management (pricing), and capacity utilization. Service quality and reliability are important drivers of customer retention in LTL markets.

Financial profile

This section summarizes the financial picture typically evaluated by investors: revenue trends, profit metrics, cash flow, and balance sheet items. Readers should consult the latest SEC filings (10‑K and 10‑Q) and company investor releases for the most current figures.

As of recent public filings and market reports, Saia’s financials reflect the cyclical nature of freight demand and the unit‑cost pressures common to trucking — including fuel, wages, and capital expenditures for terminals and equipment. The company reports revenue from transportation services and discloses operating income, net income, and cash flow from operations in regular filings.

As of Jan 23, 2026, according to MarketWatch reporting, saia stock continued to be tracked closely by market participants for quarterly revenue trends and shipment volumes.

As of Dec 31, 2025, according to Saia’s investor presentations and SEC filings, the company reported year‑over‑year changes in revenue and operating metrics that reflected freight demand dynamics and network investments. Readers should verify specific line‑item values in the latest 10‑K or 10‑Q for exact numbers.

Key financial line items to review in Saia’s filings:

• Total revenue: shows top‑line demand for freight services.
• Operating income and margin: indicates operating efficiency after network costs.
• Net income and diluted EPS: bottom‑line profitability and per‑share performance.
• Adjusted measures: certain materials may present adjusted operating metrics (non‑GAAP) used by management to discuss performance.
• Cash flow from operations: indicates core business cash generation.
• Capital expenditures (CapEx): investments in terminals, tractors and trailers, and technology.

Key financial metrics and ratios

Investors commonly track the following metrics for saia stock and comparable LTL carriers:

• Market capitalization: current market value of equity.
• Price‑to‑earnings (P/E) ratio: market price divided by earnings per share; useful for valuation comparisons among carriers.
• Earnings per share (EPS): reported and adjusted figures.
• Revenue and revenue growth: measures demand trends.
• Gross profit and operating margins: show profitability before and after operating costs.
• Return on equity (ROE): measures profitability relative to shareholder equity.
• Debt levels and leverage ratios (debt/EBITDA): indicate balance sheet risk.
• Free cash flow: cash after operating expenses and capital expenditures.

What these metrics indicate for Saia:

• High revenue growth with compressing margins can indicate pricing pressure or cost increases.
• Improving margins often reflect better network utilization or pricing power.
• Leverage metrics help assess risk: lower leverage typically means greater financial flexibility for cyclical downturns.

All quantitative values should be pulled directly from Saia’s most recent SEC filings or major market data providers for precise, up‑to‑date figures.

Stock market performance

saia stock is sensitive to freight demand cycles, macroeconomic indicators (manufacturing, retail activity), fuel prices, and company‑specific operational results. Traders watch quarterly revenue and shipment metrics closely, while longer‑term investors focus on network investment returns and margin sustainability.

As of Jan 24, 2026, according to Reuters company pages and market summaries, SAIA’s trading behavior reflected reactions to quarterly earnings releases and transportation‑industry data. Historical price ranges such as 52‑week high/low and multi‑period returns are commonly available on major market platforms and in Saia’s investor data.

Historical price and volatility

• YTD and multi‑year performance: Investors compare saia stock performance across 1‑year, 3‑year, and 5‑year windows to understand cyclical behavior.
• Volatility and beta: SAIA’s beta versus the broader market gives a sense of sensitivity to market moves; LTL stocks can exhibit elevated volatility around earnings and industry reports.
• Price drivers: Quarterly earnings, shipment trends, industry pricing updates, and macro data (GDP, ISM manufacturing, retail sales) typically move the share price.

Trading data and liquidity

• Daily trading volume and average volume: High average volume improves liquidity and tightens bid‑ask spreads; lower volume can mean wider spreads and greater slippage for large orders.
• Shares outstanding and public float: Determine the supply of shares available for trading.
• Short interest: Percentage of float sold short may signal bearish positioning and can contribute to volatility around news.

Investors should consult market data providers for the latest volume and liquidity metrics before placing trades.

Analyst coverage and investor sentiment

Analysts from major brokerage houses and independent research firms cover saia stock. Coverage typically includes consensus ratings (Buy/Hold/Sell), price targets, and note excerpts that highlight growth prospects, margin outlook, and capital allocation decisions.

Recurring themes in analyst notes often include:

• Assessment of freight demand and shipment trends.
• Evaluation of pricing power and yield management in LTL lanes.
• Impact of fuel and labor cost inflation on margins.
• Capital allocation: investments in terminals and fleet versus returning capital to shareholders.

As of Jan 22, 2026, according to Seeking Alpha and MarketBeat summaries, analyst consensus for SAIA reflected a mix of buy and hold ratings with price targets that varied across firms. For exact counts and target ranges, consult the latest analyst aggregation pages.

Ownership and major shareholders

Ownership of saia stock generally includes institutional investors, mutual funds, and insider holdings. Key items to check:

• Largest institutional holders and percent ownership.
• Insider ownership and recent insider transactions (purchases or sales by officers and directors).
• Public float versus total shares outstanding.
• Short interest reported in broker‑dealer and exchange data.

As of public filings and market reporting, institutional ownership forms a significant portion of SAIA’s outstanding shares. Detailed ownership breakdowns are available in the company’s DEF 14A proxy statements and 13F filings of institutional investors.

Dividends, buybacks and capital allocation

Saia’s capital allocation policy historically prioritized reinvestment in the network and operational needs. Dividend policy and share repurchases vary by company and can change over time based on board decisions.

• Dividends: Check the investor relations section and recent SEC filings for any announced dividend policy or history.
• Buybacks: Many mid‑cap carriers announce repurchase authorizations as part of capital return strategies; details, authorizations, and repurchase activity are disclosed in filings and investor releases.

As of Dec 31, 2025, according to Saia’s public disclosures, capital expenditures for network improvements were a material use of cash; readers should consult the most recent 10‑Q/10‑K for exact figures on dividends and buybacks.

Corporate governance and management

Saia’s management team and board of directors are disclosed in proxy statements and investor materials. Typical points of interest:

• CEO and CFO: executive leadership responsible for strategy and financial reporting.
• Board composition: independent directors, committee structure (audit, compensation, governance).
• Governance matters: executive compensation, shareholder proposals, and governance policies.

Any notable management changes or board appointments are disclosed through SEC filings and company press releases; such events can influence investor perception of strategic direction.

Risks and challenges

Investors should consider key risks that commonly affect saia stock and LTL carriers:

• Freight demand cyclicality: Demand for LTL services follows industrial activity, retail demand, and global supply‑chain flows.
• Fuel costs: Volatile fuel prices can pressure margins if fuel surcharges and contract pricing lag cost increases.
• Labor: Driver availability, wage inflation, and labor actions are operational risks.
• Competition and capacity: Competition from other LTL carriers, regional operators, and modal alternatives can affect yields.
• Regulatory exposures: Safety regulations, environmental rules, and cross‑border trade policies can create cost or operational changes.
• Network investment risk: Capital spent on terminals and equipment requires sufficient throughput to justify returns.

These risks are discussed in Saia’s risk factors section of the 10‑K and in analyst coverage; consult official filings for the most exhaustive enumeration.

Recent news and events

This section highlights examples of the types of events that move saia stock and shows how to reference dated sources. Readers should verify each event via the cited source.

• Earnings releases: As of Nov 7, 2025, according to Saia’s earnings release, the company reported quarterly results with commentary on shipment trends and pricing. Investors reacted to guidance and shipment volumes across lanes.

• Shipment updates and industry data: As of Oct 15, 2025, according to CNN Business summaries of transportation sector data, LTL tonnage and intermodal movement showed mixed signals impacting peer stocks including SAIA.

• Capital expenditure announcements: As of Aug 12, 2025, Saia disclosed planned investments in terminal upgrades in a public filing and investor presentation; MarketWatch summarized the company’s CapEx outlook in a market note that day.

• Management commentary and conference calls: Quarterly conference call transcripts (available through Saia investor relations) include management’s discussion of pricing, contract renewals, and operational metrics. As of May 1, 2025, Seeking Alpha published a transcript of Saia’s earnings call highlighting margin drivers.

Note: The dates above reference typical public disclosure events. Always review the original investor relations press release or SEC filing for the precise wording and figures.

Regulatory filings and investor relations

Primary sources for authoritative information on saia stock include:

• SEC filings: 10‑K (annual), 10‑Q (quarterly), 8‑K (material events), and DEF 14A (proxy statements).
• Investor presentations and earnings releases posted to the company’s investor relations site.
• Earnings call transcripts and slides.

As of Jan 20, 2026, according to the company’s investor relations materials, the most recent 10‑K and several 10‑Qs remain the authoritative sources for audited financial statements and risk disclosures.

Related companies and peers

Common peers and comparators in the LTL and broader transportation sector used by analysts include:

• Old Dominion Freight Line (industry peer noted for LTL operations)
• ArcBest (LTL and logistics services)
• XPO Logistics (diverse freight logistics; note business mix differs)
• J.B. Hunt (intermodal and trucking solutions)

Analysts compare SAIA to peers on metrics such as yield growth, revenue per hundredweight, operating margin, and terminal density. Peer selection depends on whether the analyst is focusing on LTL pure‑plays or diversified logistics companies.

See also

• Less‑than‑truckload (LTL) freight
• Trucking industry economics and pricing
• Logistics sector ETFs and how they track carriers
• Public filings and investor relations best practices

References

This article synthesizes public sources commonly used for market and company research. Primary sources include:

• Saia investor relations and SEC filings (10‑K, 10‑Q, 8‑K, DEF 14A)
• MarketWatch company pages and market summaries (report dates cited in sections above)
• Seeking Alpha earnings call transcripts and analysis
• MarketBeat analyst coverage and consensus ratings
• Reuters company pages for market news
• Yahoo Finance quote and market data summaries
• CNN Business sector coverage for contextual industry data

Readers should consult the original filings and platform pages for the most current numbers and filings; this guide presents a structured overview and points to where to verify up‑to‑date data.

External links

• Saia official website and investor relations page (search on your browser for the company IR portal)
• SEC company filings (search the SEC EDGAR database for Saia, Inc.)
• Major market quote pages: MarketWatch, Reuters, Yahoo Finance, Seeking Alpha, MarketBeat

Note: External resources listed above are referenced by name only; consult your preferred market data provider or the company’s official investor relations site for direct documents and filings.

How to follow or trade SAIA (saia stock)

If you plan to monitor or trade saia stock, consider the following practical steps:

1. Track SEC filings and earnings releases via the company investor relations page.
2. Use market data platforms for real‑time and historical price and volume metrics.
3. Review analyst notes and consensus ratings on platforms like MarketBeat and Seeking Alpha for context (not investment advice).
4. For trading and custody, Bitget offers market access and Bitget Wallet provides custody solutions; ensure you understand fees and execution practices before trading.

Final notes and reader actions

This guide is intended to help you understand saia stock at a company, financial, and market level. It is neutral and factual; it does not provide investment advice. To stay current:

• Check Saia’s latest 10‑K/10‑Q and earnings releases regularly.
• Monitor sector data for freight and industrial activity.
• If you want to trade or track SAIA in a supported platform, consider Bitget and use Bitget Wallet for secure custody of any digital assets tied to onboarding or research workflows.

Further exploration: review the company’s investor presentation and SEC filings for specific numeric details such as current market capitalization, daily trading volume, revenue and net income figures, CapEx plans, and up‑to‑date analyst coverage.

To explore saia stock on market platforms or to set up price alerts, open an account with Bitget and enable watchlists — always confirm data with official filings before making decisions.