Saia (SAIA)
NASDAQIndustrialsTruckingSnapshot 2026-09-04
$357.94+3.51%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQIndustrialsTruckingSnapshot 2026-09-04
Broken: Primary pillar broken — Maintain revenue growth near 12% annually: FY27 rev est +7.3% vs 12% target; 14/16 analysts cut FY27 estimates.
Saia keeps growing revenue steadily, with $806M in Q1 2026. Profit margins are strong, guided near 4.5%. The company invests $1.8B in its network and technology to improve service. Operational efficiency is improving, with operating income rising to $66.8M.
Saia trades at a high price-to-earnings ratio of 45.7, well above peers at 27. Revenue growth is modest at 2.4% year-over-year. Rising costs or weaker demand could pressure margins below the 4% level.
The market prices Saia about 35% above our fair value near $306, reflecting about 12% revenue growth. Our fair value is 33% below the Street median, indicating some optimism in consensus estimates.
Breaks if: Investment pace drops below $400M annually
Breaks if: Operating margin falls below 3.5% next two quarters
This is not a price target or investment advice.
A long-form read on the 1–3 year hold thesis. It updates when the weekly evidence changes.
This investment represents a durable compounder with a focus on operational efficiency and network expansion. The current thesis state is intact, despite mixed recent performance and elevated risk factors.
The market appears to have a stretched valuation, reflecting a premium compared to peers. There is a moderate expectations gap, indicating that investors may be anticipating continued growth but are also cautious due to recent mixed signals.
Fundamentals are likely to show mixed results in the near term, as management continues to focus on operational efficiency and cost management. Recent financial performance has been neutral, and while there is a low probability of missing expectations, the company has a history of misses that could affect sentiment.
The thesis hinges on the performance of sector bellwethers like ODFL, XPO, and KNX. If these companies continue to perform well, it could provide a favorable backdrop for SAIA. Conversely, any negative guidance from these peers could lead to downward pressure on SAIA's performance.
The most important moves since the prior daily snapshot.
Mixed, the news cuts both ways. Saia's tonnage growth increased in August, supporting network expansion. However, the company cut its full-year margin outlook due to rising expansion costs, impacting efficiency.
as of 2026-09-04
Review the evidence to watch, what would become a concern, and what would make it less concerning.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Breaks if: Operating income falls below $60M in next 4 quarters
Breaks if: YoY revenue growth falls below 8% next year
In the 1 to 3 year view, SAIA's stability and management focus are key strengths, but external sector dynamics could pose risks. Not investment advice.