Saia Reports First Quarter Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Saia (NASDAQ: SAIA) reported first quarter 2026 results: revenue $806.2M and diluted EPS $1.86 (both Q1 2026 and Q1 2025). Operating income was $66.8M and operating ratio was 91.7%. Cash rose to $39.2M and total debt fell to $112.8M. Net capex was $63.7M in Q1; 2026 net capex guidance is $350M–$400M.
Management cited record first-quarter revenue levels, shipment growth in March, a 0.5% claims ratio, and a national network strategy. A conference call was scheduled April 30, 2026.
Positive
- Cash on hand increased to $39.2M
- Total debt reduced to $112.8M
- Net capital expenditures down to $63.7M in Q1
- 2026 net capex guidance of $350M–$400M
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SAIA was down 4.8% with trucking peers also weaker: KNX -3.4%, TFII -2.35%, SNDR -1.97%, RXO -1.8%, XPO -2.48%, indicating a broader trucking pullback.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10 | Q4 2025 earnings | Negative | -6.8% | Flat revenue but sharply lower Q4 and full-year EPS and operating income. |
| Oct 30 | Q3 2025 earnings | Negative | +2.2% | Revenue, EPS and operating income all declined versus prior year quarter. |
| Jul 25 | Q2 2025 earnings | Negative | +7.0% | Lower EPS and operating income with slightly weaker revenue and mixed LTL trends. |
| Apr 25 | Q1 2025 earnings | Negative | -30.7% | EPS and operating income fell despite higher revenue and strong volume growth. |
| Feb 03 | Q4 2024 earnings | Neutral | -2.0% | Revenue and full-year EPS grew, but quarterly EPS and operating income declined. |
Earnings releases have often highlighted margin pressure and EPS declines, with mixed share-price reactions that skew slightly negative on average.
Over the past year, Saia’s earnings reports have frequently paired flat-to-modest revenue trends with softer profitability. Q1 and Q4 2025 both showed EPS declines and weaker operating income despite revenue growth or stability. Earlier quarters like Q2 2025 also reported lower EPS and operating income, even as the network expanded and capex remained elevated. Against this backdrop, the latest Q1 2026 results featuring record revenue, flat EPS at $1.86, and a modest operating income decline fit the ongoing margin-pressure narrative.
Historical Comparison
In the past five earnings releases, SAIA’s average move was about -6.06%, with several reports highlighting margin pressure despite network growth and steady revenue.
Earnings updates show Saia evolving from strong 2024 growth into 2025–2026 periods marked by flat-to-modest revenue changes, elevated capex, and recurring operating margin pressure.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement reports record Q1 revenue of $806.2 million, flat diluted EPS at $1.86, and a 4.8% decline in operating income to $66.8 million, reflecting ongoing margin pressure. Operationally, shipments per workday rose while tonnage fell, and the operating ratio ticked up to 91.7%. The balance sheet showed higher cash and lower debt, with net capex of $63.7 million and a $350–$400 million 2026 capex plan, metrics investors may track closely against future earnings.
Key Terms
operating ratio financial
less-than-truckload technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga., April 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) today reported first quarter 2026 financial results. For both the first quarter of 2026 and 2025 diluted earnings per share were
Highlights from the first quarter operating results were as follows:
First Quarter 2026 Compared to First Quarter 2025 Results
- Revenue was
$806.2 million , a2.4% increase - Operating income was
$66.8 million , a4.8% decrease - Operating ratio of
91.7% compared to91.1% - LTL shipments per workday increased
1.0% - LTL tonnage per workday decreased
2.1% - LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, increased
1.9% - LTL revenue per shipment, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased
1.2%
Saia President and CEO, Fritz Holzgrefe, commented on the quarter stating, “Our results reflected record first quarter revenue levels as customers increasingly continued to rely on our national network as volumes grew in March following a challenging January and February. As our national network continues to mature, I was pleased to see year-over-year improvements in our core efficiency metrics. We will continue to execute our long-term strategy of getting closer to the customer, providing a high level of service and driving price to compensate for the quality of service provided.”
Executive Vice President and CFO, Matt Batteh, noted that, “I was pleased with our team's ability to execute throughout the first quarter, especially in what was a highly dynamic operating environment. Our team's commitment to the customer remained paramount, evidenced by a first quarter claims ratio of
Financial Position and Capital Expenditures
Saia ended the first quarter of 2026 with
Net capital expenditures were
Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-833-890-5317 and request to join the Saia, Inc. call. Callers should dial in five to ten minutes in advance of the conference call. This call will be webcast live via the Company website at www.saia.com/about-us/investor-relations/financial-releases. A replay of the call will be offered two hours after the completion of the call through May 30, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time. The replay will be available by dialing 1-855-669-9658 referencing conference ID #7759155.
Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) offers customers a wide range of less-than-truckload, brokered truckload, expedited transportation and other logistics services. With headquarters in Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 214 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) changes in U.S. trade policy and the impact of tariffs; (18) capacity and highway infrastructure constraints; (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) dependence on key employees; (26) employee turnover from changes to compensation and benefits or market factors; (27) increased costs of healthcare benefits; (28) damage to our reputation from adverse publicity, including from the use of or impact from social media; (29) failure to achieve acquisition synergies or disruption to our business due to such acquisitions; (30) 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; (31) the potential of higher corporate taxes and new regulations, including with respect to climate change, employment and labor law, healthcare and securities regulation; (32) unforeseen costs from new and existing data privacy laws; (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) changes in accounting and financial standards or practices; (35) widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease; (36) international conflicts and geopolitical instability; (37) evolving stakeholder expectations regarding environmental and social issues; (38) government shutdown or failure to fund services; (39) provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law that may have anti-takeover effects; (40) issuances of equity that would dilute stock ownership; (41) weakness, disruption or loss of confidence in financial or credit markets; and (42) 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 | |
| Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| March 31, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 39,177 | $ | 19,720 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 376,967 | 332,206 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | 83,248 | 82,630 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 499,392 | 434,556 | ||||||
| Property and Equipment: | ||||||||
| Cost | 4,303,820 | 4,259,438 | ||||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation | 1,450,959 | 1,415,087 | ||||||
| Net property and equipment | 2,852,861 | 2,844,351 | ||||||
| Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets | 157,924 | 150,301 | ||||||
| Other Assets | 53,460 | 53,473 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 3,563,637 | $ | 3,482,681 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 147,132 | $ | 107,424 | ||||
| Wages, vacation and employees' benefits | 70,402 | 50,723 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | 80,949 | 78,362 | ||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 759 | 980 | ||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liability | 29,253 | 27,895 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 328,495 | 265,384 | ||||||
| Other Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Long-term debt, less current portion | 112,000 | 163,000 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, less current portion | 119,847 | 113,119 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 293,701 | 284,370 | ||||||
| Claims, insurance and other | 83,357 | 79,109 | ||||||
| Total other liabilities | 608,905 | 639,598 | ||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock | 27 | 27 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 306,287 | 307,605 | ||||||
| Deferred compensation trust | (9,101 | ) | (9,088 | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | 2,329,024 | 2,279,155 | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 2,626,237 | 2,577,699 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 3,563,637 | $ | 3,482,681 | ||||
| Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||
| For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 | ||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| First Quarter | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Operating Revenue | $ | 806,226 | $ | 787,575 | ||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
| Salaries, wages and employees' benefits | 393,296 | 389,256 | ||||||
| Purchased transportation | 64,328 | 59,849 | ||||||
| Fuel, operating expenses and supplies | 173,489 | 166,671 | ||||||
| Operating taxes and licenses | 22,232 | 20,437 | ||||||
| Claims and insurance | 22,902 | 21,545 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 62,190 | 59,043 | ||||||
| Other operating losses, net | 983 | 606 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 739,420 | 717,407 | ||||||
| Operating Income | 66,806 | 70,168 | ||||||
| Nonoperating (Income) Expenses: | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 2,574 | 4,285 | ||||||
| Interest income | (63 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||
| Other, net | (740 | ) | 357 | |||||
| Nonoperating expenses, net | 1,771 | 4,603 | ||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 65,035 | 65,565 | ||||||
| Income Tax Provision | 15,166 | 15,755 | ||||||
| Net Income | $ | 49,869 | $ | 49,810 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 26,764 | 26,720 | ||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 26,807 | 26,788 | ||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.86 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.86 | ||||
| Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries | ||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
| For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 | ||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| First Quarter | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 139,634 | $ | 109,073 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 139,634 | 109,073 | ||||||
| Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Acquisition of property and equipment | (66,116 | ) | (202,889 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment | 2,392 | 826 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (63,724 | ) | (202,063 | ) | ||||
| Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Borrowing (repayment) of revolving credit facility, net | (51,000 | ) | 97,000 | |||||
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | 229 | 2,463 | ||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes | (5,461 | ) | (7,644 | ) | ||||
| Other financing activity | (221 | ) | (1,767 | ) | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (56,453 | ) | 90,052 | |||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 19,457 | (2,938 | ) | |||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period | 19,720 | 19,473 | ||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period | $ | 39,177 | $ | 16,535 | ||||
| Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Information | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||
| First Quarter | |||||||||||||||||||
| First Quarter | % | Amount/Workday | % | ||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | 2026 | 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Workdays | 63 | 63 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating ratio | 91.7 | % | 91.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| LTL tonnage (1) | 1,513 | 1,545 | (2.1 | ) | 24.02 | 24.52 | (2.1 | ) | |||||||||||
| LTL shipments (1) | 2,192 | 2,170 | 1.0 | 34.79 | 34.44 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||
| LTL revenue/cwt. | $ | 25.93 | $ | 24.97 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||||
| LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharge | $ | 21.52 | $ | 21.12 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||||
| LTL revenue/shipment | $ | 357.93 | $ | 355.48 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||
| LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharge | $ | 297.11 | $ | 300.76 | (1.2 | ) | |||||||||||||
| LTL pounds/shipment | 1,380 | 1,424 | (3.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| LTL average length of haul (2) | 890 | 905 | (1.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| (1 | ) | In thousands. | |||||||||||||||||
| (2 | ) | In miles. | |||||||||||||||||
| Note: | LTL operating statistics exclude transportation and logistics services where pricing is generally not determined by weight. The LTL operating statistics also exclude the adjustment required for financial statement purposes in accordance with the Company's revenue recognition policy. | ||||||||||||||||||
