Saia, Inc. (SAIA) shares climbed 8.04 percent to $361.80 in trading on Monday, gaining $26.93, despite no company-specific news driving the move.The stock opened at $334.87, matching the previous close of $334.87, and traded between an intraday low of $334.87 and a high of $362.11 on the Nasdaq. Trading volume totaled about 0.49 million shares, slightly above its average volume of around 0.47 million.Saia's shares are now trading near the upper end of their 52-week range of $229.12 to $538.03, reflecting c ...

If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Saia (SAIA) . This company, which is in the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.This trucking company has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 11. ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Transportation-Truck industry is currently facing significant challenges due to supply-chain disruptions, a weak freight environment, and macroeconomic issues, including geopolitical tensions and high inflation levels [1][4]. Industry Overview - The Zacks Transportation-Truck industry consists of truck operators that transport freight across North America, offering various services such as full-truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) [3]. - Companies in this sector provide a range of trucking services, including dry-van, dedicated, refrigerated, flatbed, and expedited services, along with logistics and intermodal services [3]. Current Trends - **Freight Downturn**: The industry is experiencing a prolonged freight downturn, with the Cass Freight Shipments Index declining by 7.6% year over year in November 2025, marking a consistent decline over the past nine months [4]. - **Cost Management**: Companies are implementing cost-reduction strategies to combat input cost inflation and maintain margins, focusing on operational efficiency and high-growth markets [5]. - **Driver Shortage**: The trucking industry is facing a severe shortage of drivers, with an expected shortfall of over 160,000 drivers by 2030, exacerbating supply-chain challenges [6]. Industry Performance - The Zacks Transportation-Truck industry ranks 234 out of 243 Zacks industries, placing it in the bottom 2%, indicating poor near-term prospects [7]. - The industry's earnings estimate for 2026 has decreased by 30.9% year over year, reflecting a negative outlook among analysts [8]. - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed, declining by 3.7%, while the S&P 500 increased by 18.1% and the broader transportation sector rose by 1.4% [10]. Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 14.37X, which is lower than the S&P 500's 18.99X but higher than the sector's 10.83X [13]. Notable Companies - **J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT)**: This company has seen its shares increase by 11% over the past year and has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold). It has surpassed earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters [17][18]. - **Saia (SAIA)**: Saia provides regional and interregional LTL services and also holds a Zacks Rank of 3, having surpassed earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters [21][22]. - **ArcBest Corporation (ARCB)**: ArcBest is focused on cost control and productivity improvements, expecting a 37.9% year-over-year increase in earnings per share for 2026. It also carries a Zacks Rank of 3 [24].

Core Viewpoint - Saia Inc. is rebranding its logistics arm LinkEx to "Saia Logistics," aiming to unify its freight and logistics services under one name for a more streamlined customer experience [1][2]. Group 1: Rebranding and Strategy - The rebranding reflects the close collaboration between Saia's freight and LinkEx teams, consolidating their less-than-truckload (LTL) network and logistics capabilities [2]. - The change is purely a brand alignment, with no alterations to ownership, service, pricing, agreements, or daily operations, ensuring continuity for customers [3]. - The unification under the Saia brand is intended to enhance customer understanding of the comprehensive solutions offered, supporting the company's long-term growth strategy [3]. Group 2: Customer Experience and Services - Customers will continue to work with the same contacts and processes, maintaining the relationships they have established [4]. - Saia Logistics will provide a full range of services, including truckload, expedited, warehousing, distribution, final mile, international, and integrated logistics, alongside its leading LTL network [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Saia Inc. operates 213 terminals across the United States and is recognized for its safety record and environmental efforts [6]. - The company has received accolades such as the "Top Companies for Women to Work for in Transportation" by Women In Trucking [6].

Group 1 - Saia has acquired two properties in Kernersville, North Carolina for $14.25 million, significantly expanding its operational footprint compared to its smaller terminal in Greensboro [5] - The acquired properties provide a total of 33,200 square feet of building space, enhancing Saia's network density in line with its long-term strategy to improve service levels [5] - The transaction was completed on December 19, and the properties were previously owned by XPO, which had opened a new terminal in Kernersville [5][3] Group 2 - Saia's network in North Carolina includes six sites, with the Greensboro site being the closest to Kernersville but much smaller at 10,396 square feet [3] - The acquisition aligns with Saia's strategic goals as noted by CEO Fritz Holzgrefe during a Q3 earnings call last year [5]

Core Viewpoint - Saia, Inc. is set to release its quarterly financial results on February 10, 2026, before the market opens, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - Saia, Inc. will announce its quarterly financial results on February 10, 2026, before market opening [1]. - A conference call will be held on the same day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results [1]. Group 2: Conference Call Participation - Participants can join the conference call by dialing 1-833-890-5317 and should call in five to ten minutes early [2]. - The call will be available for live webcast on the company’s website [2]. - A replay of the call will be accessible two hours after its completion until March 10, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Saia, Inc. provides a variety of transportation services including less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited, and logistics services [3]. - The company operates 213 terminals nationwide from its headquarters in Georgia [3].

Core Insights - Saia, Inc. experienced a decline in stock price as investors assessed mixed fourth-quarter freight trends against the company's long-term national expansion strategy [1] - The company reported a decrease in October LTL shipments and tonnage per workday year over year, while November showed a rise in shipments and tonnage, but a decline in weight per shipment compared to last year [1][2] Group 1: Financial Performance - Bank of America Securities analyst Ken Hoexter maintained a Neutral rating on Saia, raising the price forecast from $322 to $367, indicating confidence in the company's long-term growth trajectory [2][5] - Saia's mid-fourth-quarter update revealed sub-seasonal tons per day, with October's weakness offsetting November's strength, and expectations for a softer December [2][5] - The operating ratio target for the fourth quarter was maintained, with expectations of a larger seasonal deterioration than historical averages [5] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Saia's largest revenue market, Los Angeles, saw a nearly 20% year-over-year decline in volumes, with growth primarily from shorter, lower-revenue lanes as the company expands nationally [3] - Customers are discussing 2026 contract levels with more certainty due to stabilizing tax policy, interest rates, and tariff expectations [4] - Despite tightening truckload capacity conditions, there has been no significant freight shifting from truckload to LTL, attributed to regulatory enforcement and rising carrier bankruptcies [4] Group 3: Valuation and Earnings - The valuation of Saia is slightly above its five-year range, reflecting its transition into a national carrier supported by improving yields and network integration, including the addition of 39 new terminals since 2022 [6] - Earnings expectations remain unchanged, with fourth-quarter 2025 EPS projected at $1.88 and 2026 EPS at $11.10 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Saia, Inc. experienced a decline in stock price as investors assessed mixed fourth-quarter freight trends against the company's long-term national expansion strategy [1] Group 1: Fourth-Quarter Performance - In October, Saia reported a year-over-year decline in LTL shipments and tonnage per workday, although weight per shipment slightly increased [1] - November saw an increase in shipments and tonnage per workday, but weight per shipment decreased compared to the previous year [1] - Analyst Ken Hoexter noted that October's weakness offset November's strength, with expectations for a softer December [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Saia's largest revenue market, Los Angeles, experienced a nearly 20% year-over-year decline in volumes, contributing to unfavorable mix headwinds [3] - Growth was primarily driven by shorter, lower-revenue lanes as Saia expands nationally, contrasting with its historical focus on longer-haul routes [3] Group 3: Contract and Freight Conditions - Customers are discussing 2026 contract levels with increased certainty due to stabilizing tax policy, interest rates, and tariff expectations [4] - Despite tightening truckload capacity conditions, there has been no significant shift of freight from truckload to LTL, attributed to regulatory enforcement and rising carrier bankruptcies [4] Group 4: Financial Outlook - Saia maintained its fourth-quarter operating ratio target, anticipating a larger seasonal deterioration than historical averages [5] - The operating ratio forecast remains unchanged, with Saia outperforming peers in tons-per-day growth during network expansion [5] - The analyst raised the price forecast for Saia from $322 to $367, reflecting a higher earnings multiple for 2026 [5][6] Group 5: Valuation and Earnings Expectations - The current valuation is slightly above Saia's five-year range, accounting for its transition into a national carrier supported by improving yields and network integration [6] - Earnings expectations for fourth-quarter 2025 EPS remain at $1.88 and 2026 EPS at $11.10 [6]

Core Insights - Soapstone Management sold its entire stake in Saia, amounting to 23,750 shares valued at $6.51 million, during the third quarter of 2025, resulting in a complete exit from the stock [2][3] - The sale reduced Soapstone's exposure to Saia by 4.4% of its reportable assets, and as of September 30, 2025, Saia no longer contributed to the fund's assets under management (AUM) [3] Company Overview - Saia, Inc. is a prominent North American provider of less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation, operating a large fleet and extensive terminal network [5][8] - As of December 5, 2025, Saia's stock price was $330.91, with a market capitalization of $8.81 billion, revenue of $3.23 billion, and net income of $283.62 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] Market Performance - Saia shares experienced a one-year decline of 36%, underperforming the S&P 500 by 49 percentage points [3] - Despite recent challenges, Saia has been acquiring terminals from former competitor Yellow, positioning itself for potential recovery as market conditions improve [11] Investment Perspective - The LTL industry is currently in a cyclical trough, and while Soapstone's exit may reflect a search for better short-term opportunities, Saia is viewed as a long-term buy-and-hold investment, still 45% below its all-time high [10][12]

Core Insights - Madison Small Cap Fund experienced a challenging third quarter in 2025, with a decline of 1.3%, underperforming its benchmarks due to stock selection and a speculative market environment [1] Company Performance - Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAIA) reported a one-month return of -13.67% and a 52-week loss of 53.76%, closing at $250.48 per share with a market capitalization of $6.673 billion as of November 20, 2025 [2] - In Q3 2025, Saia, Inc. announced revenue of $839.6 million, which remained relatively flat compared to Q3 2024 [4] Investment Strategy - Madison Small Cap Fund exited its position in Saia, Inc. during the third quarter due to a challenging macroeconomic environment for LTL pricing and operational issues related to geographic expansion [3] - The fund expressed a willingness to revisit the investment in the future if operating rates improve, highlighting the company's strong customer service focus and excellent business moat [3]