Saia Stock Price, News & Analysis
Company Description
Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) is a transportation and logistics company in the general freight trucking industry. The company describes itself as a transportation provider offering national less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services. According to multiple company news releases, Saia LTL Freight operates 213 terminals with national service and has its headquarters in Georgia, with several releases specifying Johns Creek, Georgia as the location of its headquarters.
Core business and services
Saia focuses on moving LTL freight, where shipments are smaller than full truckload volumes. Company disclosures state that it offers customers a wide range of LTL, non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services. As a national LTL carrier, Saia operates a terminal network that supports service across the United States. The firm has also reported that it provides time-definite and expedited options for LTL shipments, as reflected in the Polygon description, and emphasizes LTL operating metrics such as shipments per workday, tonnage per workday and weight per shipment in its regular operating data updates.
In addition to its LTL operations, Saia notes that it offers non-asset truckload services and logistics services. Non-asset truckload indicates that the company arranges truckload transportation without necessarily owning all of the underlying equipment, while logistics services encompass broader freight management beyond individual shipments. Expedited services are highlighted in the company’s descriptions as another offering for customers who require faster transit times.
Network and operating footprint
Saia LTL Freight operates 213 terminals with national service, according to repeated statements in its earnings releases and operating data updates. This terminal network underpins the company’s LTL operations and supports its national footprint. The company has discussed investments in technology and network optimization efforts, noting that these initiatives are intended to drive improved efficiency across its national footprint and support its long-term strategy of getting closer to the customer and building density in its network.
In its communications, Saia has also referenced the opening of new terminals and the performance of facilities opened within the prior three years, indicating that network expansion and terminal development are important elements of its operating model. The company has reported that customers see value in its expanded network and that ramping markets contribute to volume and revenue growth.
Financial reporting focus and operating metrics
Saia provides detailed operating and financial information through quarterly earnings releases and interim operating data updates. The company regularly reports metrics such as LTL shipments per workday, LTL tonnage per workday and LTL weight per shipment, comparing these figures to prior-year periods. It also discloses revenue, operating income, operating ratio, and non-GAAP measures such as adjusted operating income, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted operating ratio and adjusted diluted earnings per share.
Management commentary in earnings releases emphasizes cost management, mix management, operational efficiency and customer focus. Saia has highlighted the impact of real estate transactions on its operating results, including gains on terminal sales and impairment losses on real estate, and provides reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. The company also discusses capital expenditures on property and equipment and provides information on cash, debt and net capital expenditures.
Risk factors and operating environment
Through its SEC filings and forward-looking statement disclosures, Saia identifies a broad set of risks and operating considerations. These include general economic conditions, competition and pricing pressure in the LTL industry, the cost and availability of drivers, dock workers, mechanics and other employees, as well as purchased transportation and fuel. The company also cites inflationary pressures, diesel fuel costs, insurance costs and claims expenses, and the cost and availability of real property and revenue equipment.
Saia notes risks related to technology and cybersecurity, including potential disruption or failure of technology or equipment essential to operations, cyber incidents, security breaches, malware and ransomware attacks. It also references risks associated with remote work, data privacy laws, and the use of artificial intelligence. Regulatory factors are another focus, including hours-of-service and licensing compliance for drivers, engine emissions rules, safety initiatives, and other transportation, healthcare and environmental regulations.
Safety culture and recognition
In a company news release, Saia describes safety as a core value and highlights a large-scale employee recognition program for safety achievements. The company reported recognizing nearly 8,000 dockworkers, mechanics, city drivers and line drivers for major safety milestones, citing tens of thousands of combined years of injury-free work and accident-free driving. Saia notes that over 70% of its drivers and a significant percentage of dockworkers and mechanics were recognized, and it describes safety programs built around proactive education, regular training initiatives and safety technology.
The same release states that Saia has been recognized by the American Trucking Associations Safety Management Council for its safety record and by the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program for efforts to reduce environmental impact. It also notes that Saia is a multi-year recipient of Women In Trucking’s “Top Companies for Women to Work for in Transportation” recognition.
Workforce and scale
Saia reports that it employs more than 15,000 people, according to its safety recognition news release. These employees include dockworkers, mechanics, city drivers and line drivers, among other roles. The company’s terminal network and workforce support its national LTL operations and related services. Saia’s communications emphasize a “customer first” focus and describe how newer facilities and ramping markets contribute to volume and revenue growth.
Stock listing and regulatory reporting
Saia, Inc. trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol SAIA. The company files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Recent 8-K filings have covered quarterly earnings releases, shipment and tonnage data updates, and the furnishing of conference call transcripts under Regulation FD. These filings also repeat the company’s forward-looking statement language and risk factor summaries.