Saia Provides Fourth Quarter LTL Operating Data
Rhea-AI Summary
Saia (Nasdaq: SAIA) provided LTL operating data for the first two months of Q4 2025. In October 2025, LTL shipments per workday -3.4%, LTL tonnage per workday -3.3%, and weight per shipment +0.1% to 1,353 lbs versus October 2024. In November 2025, LTL shipments per workday +2.6%, LTL tonnage per workday +1.8%, and weight per shipment -0.8% to 1,346 lbs versus November 2024. Quarter-to-date through November shows shipments -0.8%, tonnage -1.1%, and weight per shipment -0.3% versus prior-year QTD.
The company cautions actual Q4 and annual results could differ materially and disclaims an obligation to update these figures except as required by law.
Positive
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Negative
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, SAIA gained 7.28%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +2.7% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 51 alerts that day, indicating high trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $571M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $8.42B at that time. Trading volume was above average at 1.5x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SAIA gained 5.56% while key trucking peers mostly rose modestly (e.g., KNX +1.43%, TFII +1.43%, SNDR +1.56%, RXO +2.99%) and XPO fell 0.8%, indicating a more stock-specific reaction.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 02 | Operating metrics update | Neutral | +7.3% | Released October–November 2025 LTL shipment, tonnage and weight trends. |
| Oct 30 | Earnings release | Negative | +2.2% | Q3 2025 revenue and EPS declined modestly with softer LTL volumes. |
| Oct 22 | Management change | Neutral | -2.9% | Announced CIO retirement and appointment of successor with transition plans. |
| Sep 30 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -1.8% | Set date and call details for upcoming Q3 2025 earnings release. |
| Sep 05 | Operating metrics update | Negative | +5.4% | Reported July–August 2025 LTL data showing declines in shipments and tonnage. |
Recent news often saw price reactions diverge from headline tone, with multiple neutral or negative updates followed by positive or mixed market moves.
Over the last six months, Saia has reported stable but slightly softer LTL trends and modestly lower Q3 2025 earnings, alongside management changes and recurring operating data updates. Q3 revenue of $839.6M and diluted EPS of $3.22 on Oct 30, 2025 came with lower shipments and tonnage but firmer yield. Operating data releases on Sep 5, 2025 and Dec 2, 2025 highlighted mild volume pressure. Despite this, shares often reacted positively, suggesting investors may be looking through short-term softness.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +7.3% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with prior instances where Saia’s shares advanced on mixed operating data, such as earlier 2025 LTL updates. October showed lower shipments and tonnage, with QTD shipments down 0.8% and tonnage down 1.1%, but November trends improved. Investors have previously rewarded resilience and network scale despite modest volume softness, though any reversal in these trends could pressure sentiment.
Key Terms
less-than-truckload technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga., Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA), a leading transportation provider offering national less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services, is providing LTL shipment and tonnage data for the first two months of the fourth quarter. In October 2025, LTL shipments per workday declined
These changes are summarized in the table below:
| October 2025 versus October 2024 | November 2025 versus November 2024 | Quarter to Date (QTD) 2025 versus QTD 2024 | |||||||
| LTL Shipments per workday | -3.4 | % | 2.6 | % | -0.8 | % | |||
| LTL Tonnage per workday | -3.3 | % | 1.8 | % | -1.1 | % | |||
| LTL Weight per shipment | 0.1 | % | -0.8 | % | -0.3 | % | |||
Actual fourth quarter and annual shipments, tonnage and weight per shipment could differ materially from the data expressed in this press release, including by reason of the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information herein speaks as of the date of this press release and is subject to change. Saia is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) offers customers a wide range of less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services. With headquarters in Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 213 terminals with national service. For more information on Saia, Inc. visit the Investor Relations section at www.saia.com/about-us/investor-relations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand the future prospects of a company and make informed investment decisions. This news release may contain these types of statements, which are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe,” “should,” “potential” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements reflect the present expectation of future events of our management as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of important factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. These factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, (1) general economic conditions including downturns or inflationary periods in the business cycle; (2) operation within a highly competitive industry and the adverse impact from downward pricing pressures, including in connection with fuel surcharges, and other factors; (3) industry-wide external factors largely out of our control; (4) cost and availability of qualified drivers, dock workers, mechanics and other employees, purchased transportation and fuel; (5) inflationary increases in expenses and corresponding reductions of profitability; (6) cost and availability of diesel fuel and fuel surcharges; (7) cost and availability of insurance coverage and claims expenses and other expense volatility, including for personal injury, cargo loss and damage, workers’ compensation, employment and group health plan claims; (8) failure to successfully execute the strategy to expand our service geography; (9) unexpected liabilities resulting from the acquisition of real estate assets; (10) costs and liabilities from the disruption in or failure of our technology or equipment essential to our operations, including as a result of cyber incidents, security breaches, malware or ransomware attacks; (11) risks arising from remote work, including increased risk of related cybersecurity incidents; (12) failure to keep pace with technological developments; (13) liabilities and costs arising from the use of artificial intelligence; (14) labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of our workforce become unionized; (15) cost, availability and resale value of real property and revenue equipment; (16) supply chain disruption and delays on new equipment delivery; (17) capacity and highway infrastructure constraints; (18) changes in U.S. trade policy and the impact of tariffs; (19) risks arising from international business operations and relationships; (20) seasonal factors, harsh weather and disasters caused by climate change; (21) the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; (22) our need for capital and uncertainty of the credit markets; (23) the possibility of defaults under our debt agreements, including violation of financial covenants; (24) inaccuracies and changes to estimates and assumptions used in preparing our financial statements; (25) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that support the value allocated to acquired businesses; (26) dependence on key employees; (27) employee turnover from changes to compensation and benefits or market factors; (28) increased costs of healthcare benefits; (29) damage to our reputation from adverse publicity, including from the use of or impact from social media; (30) failure to achieve acquisition synergies or disruption to our business due to such acquisitions; (31) the effect of litigation and class action lawsuits arising from the operation of our business, including the possibility of claims or judgments in excess of our insurance coverages or that result in increases in the cost of insurance coverage or that preclude us from obtaining adequate insurance coverage in the future; (32) the potential of higher corporate taxes and new regulations, including with respect to climate change, employment and labor law, healthcare and securities regulation; (33) the effect of governmental regulations, including hours of service and licensing compliance for drivers, engine emissions, the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) initiative, regulations of the Food and Drug Administration and Homeland Security, and healthcare and environmental regulations; (34) unforeseen costs from new and existing data privacy laws; (35) changes to the way LTL freight is categorized; (36) costs from new and existing laws regarding how to classify workers; (37) changes in accounting and financial standards or practices; (38) widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease; (39) international conflicts and geopolitical instability; (40) evolving stakeholder expectations regarding environmental and social issues; (41) provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law that may have anti-takeover effects; (42) issuances of equity that would dilute stock ownership; (43) weakness, disruption or loss of confidence in financial or credit markets; and (44) other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.
As a result of these and other factors, no assurance can be given as to our future results and achievements. Accordingly, a forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and those future events or circumstances may not occur. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. We are under no obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
| CONTACT: | Saia, Inc. |
| Matthew Batteh | |
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Investors@saia.com | |
FAQ
What LTL shipment change did Saia (SAIA) report for October 2025 versus October 2024?
How did Saia's (SAIA) LTL tonnage per workday perform in November 2025 versus November 2024?
What were Saia's (SAIA) quarter-to-date LTL trends through November 2025 versus 2024?
What was Saia's (SAIA) reported LTL weight per shipment in November 2025?
Does Saia (SAIA) guarantee these Q4 2025 LTL figures will match final results?
