Saia Q3 LTL tonnage up 8.3% quarter-to-date
Saia reports higher LTL tonnage and heavier shipments year over year for July and August 2026, indicating stronger freight density early in the third quarter.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
SAIA INC (SAIA) reported year-over-year growth in key less-than-truckload (LTL) operating metrics for the first two months of the third quarter of 2026. In July 2026, LTL shipments per workday rose 0.8%, LTL tonnage per workday rose 7.8%, and LTL weight per shipment increased 7.0% versus July 2025. In August 2026, LTL shipments per workday increased 1.1%, tonnage per workday increased 8.7% and weight per shipment grew 7.5% versus August 2025.
For quarter-to-date 2026 versus the same period in 2025, LTL shipments per workday rose 1.0%, LTL tonnage per workday rose 8.3%, and LTL weight per shipment rose 7.2%. The company notes that actual third-quarter and full-year results may differ materially from these operating trends due to various risks and uncertainties.
Positive
- Quarter-to-date LTL tonnage per workday up 8.3% versus the prior year, with LTL weight per shipment up 7.2%, indicating meaningfully higher freight density early in the third quarter of 2026.
Negative
- None.
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8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
less-than-truckload technical
forward-looking statements regulatory
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regulatory
fuel surcharges financial
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) initiative regulatory
data privacy laws regulatory
FAQ
How did Saia (SAIA) LTL shipments perform in July 2026 versus July 2025?
What LTL operating trends did Saia (SAIA) report for August 2026?
What are Saia (SAIA) quarter-to-date 2026 LTL results versus Q3 2025?
Does Saia (SAIA) consider these LTL figures to be final results?
What services does Saia (SAIA) provide according to this report?
Who is the investor contact listed for Saia (SAIA)?
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Trading |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On September 3, 2026, Saia, Inc. issued a press release providing its shipment and tonnage data for July and August 2026. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
99.1 Press release of Saia, Inc. dated as of September 3, 2026.
104 Cover Page Interactive Date File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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SAIA, INC. |
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Date: |
September 3, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Kelly W. Benton |
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Kelly W. Benton |
Exhibit 99.1
Saia Provides July and August LTL Operating Data
JOHNS CREEK, GA. – September 3, 2026 – Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) is providing LTL shipment and tonnage data for the first two months of the third quarter. In July 2026, LTL shipments per workday increased 0.8%, LTL tonnage per workday increased 7.8% and LTL weight per shipment increased 7.0%, each compared to July 2025. In August 2026, LTL shipments per workday increased 1.1%, LTL tonnage per workday increased 8.7% and LTL weight per shipment increased 7.5%, each compared to August 2025.
These changes are summarized in the table below:
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July 2026 |
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August 2026 |
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Quarter to Date (QTD) 2026 versus QTD 2025 |
LTL Shipments per workday |
0.8% |
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1.1% |
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1.0% |
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LTL Tonnage per workday |
7.8% |
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8.7% |
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8.3% |
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LTL Weight per shipment |
7.0% |
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7.5% |
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7.2% |
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Actual third 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, 2025, 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, brokered truckload, expedited transportation and other logistics services. With headquarters in Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 218 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
Saia, Inc. July and August LTL Operating Data
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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.
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Matthew Batteh |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Investors@saia.com |
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