Saia (SAIA)
NASDAQIndustrialsTruckingSnapshot 2026-09-04
$357.94+3.51%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQIndustrialsTruckingSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · SAIA
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within industrials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks SAIA against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 51% of the time over the next year (vs 60% for the rest of the cohort, n=9249).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue expanding terminal footprint and optimizing the national network to increase market share and improve operational efficiency.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Since 2022, Saia deployed about $1 billion in real estate investments, adding 33 terminals and expanding or relocating 25 others, increasing operational door count by 25%. This expansion supports market share gains and operational leverage. The trajectory is delivering as network growth and terminal ramping continue to mature and contribute to revenue and efficiency improvements.
“Since 2022, we've deployed approximately $1 billion in real estate investments, adding 33 terminals and relocating or expanding more than 25 others.”
“Our national network expansion includes opening 70 facilities since 2017, with 39 terminals opened since 2022, and 21 terminals opened in 2024 continuing to mature.”
“Our nationwide network has now been fully operational for one year, providing a generational opportunity to expand rapidly.”
“We continue to expand our footprint and optimize our network to drive market share gains and operational leverage.”
Focus on cost discipline, workforce efficiency, and safety programs to improve operating ratio and manage inflationary pressures.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Headcount excluding linehaul drivers decreased 1.7% in 2026-Q2 versus prior year, reflecting cost management focus. Operating ratio improved from 87.8% in 2025-Q2 to 86.9% in 2026-Q2, showing progress in operational efficiency despite inflationary wage and fuel cost pressures. The trajectory is delivering with improved cost control and efficiency.
Enhance revenue per shipment through pricing discipline, contractual renewals, and mix optimization to offset volume and weight headwinds.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Contractual renewals improved from 4.9% in 2025-Q4 to 10.7% in 2026-Q2, reflecting stronger pricing discipline. Revenue per shipment excluding fuel surcharge increased 1.5% year-over-year in 2026-Q2. Pricing and mix management efforts are delivering traction despite mix headwinds and regional shipment declines.
Maintain disciplined capital expenditure program focused on network and fleet investments to support growth and operational efficiency.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Saia plans disciplined capital expenditures of $350 million to $400 million in 2026, down from $550 million to $600 million in 2025, reflecting ongoing evaluation of market conditions. This disciplined approach supports network and fleet investments while managing capital allocation prudently. The trajectory shows a reduction in capex aligned with market conditions.
Continue investments in driver training, safety programs, and customer service to improve service levels and reduce accidents.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Safety metrics improved significantly with miles between preventable accidents up over 45% and hours between lost time injuries up 17% year-over-year in 2026-Q2. Prior quarters showed similar positive trends with accident frequency down 21% and lost-time injuries down 10% in 2025-Q4. These improvements reflect ongoing investments in driver training and safety programs, delivering on the priority.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.85x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Industrials names rated robust grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 54% for the rest of the cohort, n=4997).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates (low R² over the window).
9 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by M&A activity. Historically, Industrials names rated stable grew net income 55% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=2546).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Excluding linehaul drivers, headcount decreased 1.7% compared to the second quarter of 2025, reflecting focus on cost management.”
“Excluding linehaul drivers, headcount decreased 7.9% compared to the first quarter of 2025, due to operational efficiency and network cost management.”
“Salaries, wages and benefits increased due to wage increases but headcount reduced by 5.1% compared to prior year, improving efficiency.”
“We continue to manage costs and improve efficiency through network optimization and workforce management.”
“Contractual renewals were 10.7% for both June and the quarter, reflecting pricing discipline and value delivery.”
“Contractual renewals were 6.7% for the quarter, highest in quite a while, capped by March north of 7%.”
“Contractual renewals averaged 4.9% in the quarter, with a 6.6% increase in January 2026.”
“Pricing and mix management efforts continue to take hold, improving revenue per shipment sequentially.”
“In 2026, we anticipate net capital expenditures will be approximately $350 million to $400 million.”
“We anticipate net capital expenditures of approximately $350 million to $400 million in 2026.”
“In 2025, we anticipated net capital expenditures of approximately $550 million to $600 million.”
“Miles between preventable accidents improved by more than 45% compared to 2025-Q2; hours between lost time injuries improved 17% year-over-year.”
“Miles between preventable accidents were a first quarter record; hours between lost time injuries highest since 2020.”
“Preventable accident frequency declined 21% year-over-year; lost-time injuries declined 10% year-over-year.”
“Investments in safety, training and technology continue to reduce accidents and improve service quality.”