Financial Performance & Growth - Saia's estimated total market share in 2024 was 6.8%, up from 4.0% in 2017[21] - Saia's 7-year annual revenue CAGR of 13% vs the Top 10 LTL Peers average of 9% and LTL industry average of 5.9%[17] - Q3 2025 revenue was $839.6 million, a decrease of 0.3% compared to $842.1 million in Q3 2024[41] - Adjusted operating income for Q3 2025 was $104.1 million, a decrease of 16.8% compared to $125.2 million in Q3 2024[41] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q3 2025 was $2.81, a decrease of 18.8% compared to $3.46 in Q3 2024[41] Investments & Expansion - Over $2 billion has been invested in the business since 2021, largely driven by operating cash flow[12] - Approximately $550 million to $600 million is planned for investment in 2025 to better support customer needs[12] - 69 terminals have been opened since the start of 2017, including in the Great Plains region, expanding Saia's footprint to a national network[12] - Approximately 61% of zip codes are within 50 miles of a Saia facility, up from approximately 35% in 2017[34] Operational Metrics - Revenue per shipment in Q3 2025 was $349.07[40] - Pounds per shipment in Q3 2025 was 1,355[40] - Length of haul in Q3 2025 was 894 miles[40]

Core Insights - Saia (SAIA) reported quarterly earnings of $2.81 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.54 per share, but down from $3.46 per share a year ago, indicating an earnings surprise of +10.63% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $839.64 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.75%, although this is a decrease from $842.1 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Saia has outperformed consensus EPS estimates three times in the last four quarters and has also topped revenue estimates three times during the same period [2] Earnings Outlook - The future performance of Saia's stock will largely depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and the revisions of earnings estimates [3][4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.97 on revenues of $796.41 million, while for the current fiscal year, the estimate is $9.05 on revenues of $3.23 billion [7] Industry Context - The Transportation - Truck industry, to which Saia belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 3% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may negatively impact stock performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that the industry outlook can significantly affect Saia's stock performance [5][8]

Financial Performance - Revenue for Q3 2025 was $839.6 million, a 0.3% decrease compared to Q3 2024[6] - Operating income decreased by 5.2% to $118.6 million, while adjusted operating income fell by 16.8% to $104.1 million[6] - Diluted earnings per share were $3.22, down from $3.46 in Q3 2024; adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.81[3][6] - Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $207,517, down 27.5% from $285,962 in the same period of 2024[26] - Basic earnings per share for Q3 2025 were $3.23, down from $3.47 in Q3 2024, reflecting a decrease of 6.9%[26] Operating Efficiency - Operating ratio increased to 85.9%, with an adjusted operating ratio of 87.6% compared to 85.1% in the previous year[6][19] - The operating ratio for Q3 2025 was 85.9%, compared to 85.1% in Q3 2024, indicating a slight increase in operational efficiency[30] - Operating expenses increased to $721,034 in Q3 2025, compared to $716,932 in Q3 2024, reflecting a rise of 0.2%[26] Cash and Debt Management - Cash on hand at the end of Q3 2025 was $35.5 million, up from $14.4 million in Q3 2024; total debt increased to $219.2 million from $191.0 million[7] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q3 2025 were $35,500, up from $19,473 at the end of Q4 2024[28] - Long-term debt, less current portion, rose to $218,000 in Q3 2025 from $194,981 in Q4 2024, indicating an increase of 11.8%[24] Capital Expenditures - Net capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2025 were $446.1 million, down from $873.2 million in the same period of 2024[8] - The company anticipates net capital expenditures of approximately $550 million to $600 million for 2025, subject to market conditions[8] Operational Metrics - LTL shipments per workday decreased by 1.9%, and LTL tonnage per workday decreased by 1.5%[6] - LTL tonnage decreased by 1.5% to 1,581 in Q3 2025 from 1,605 in Q3 2024[30] Asset Growth - Total assets increased to $3,500,960 as of September 30, 2025, compared to $3,166,857 at the end of 2024, marking a growth of 10.5%[24] Strategic Focus - The company continues to focus on technology investments and network optimization to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency[5] - A gain from the sale of a terminal of $16.4 million was recorded, contributing to an increase in operating income[16]

Core Insights - Saia, Inc. announced the retirement of Rohit Lal, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, after eight years with the company, effective immediately [1][2] - Tarak Patel has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, bringing extensive experience in technology and digital transformation [1][3] Leadership Transition - Rohit Lal has significantly advanced Saia's digital capabilities and IT infrastructure during his tenure since joining in 2017 [2] - Lal will remain with the company as an advisor until the first quarter of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition [2] New Executive Profile - Tarak Patel previously served as CIO at Smurfit WestRock, leading a global transformation in processes and technologies [3] - Patel has held leadership roles at E. & J. Gallo Winery and Henkel, focusing on enterprise-wide technology initiatives and supply chain integrations [3] - He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego [3] Company Overview - Saia, Inc. offers a variety of transportation services, including less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited, and logistics services [4] - The company operates 213 terminals nationwide, headquartered in Georgia [4]

Core Insights - A significant divide has emerged in the transportation sector, with airlines performing well while trucking companies are struggling in bear market territory [1][2] - Investors are encouraged to consider trucking companies like SAIA Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., and RXO Inc. for potential rebounds as market conditions improve [2] Group 1: Trucking Industry Overview - Trucking companies are currently trading well into bear market territory, affected by tariff fears and consumption issues [2] - The Manufacturing PMI is a key macroeconomic indicator for the trucking industry, which has been weakening recently [3][4] - A potential rebound in the PMI could set the stage for recovery in the trucking sector, especially with the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates [4] Group 2: SAIA Inc. Analysis - SAIA's stock is forecasted to have a 12-month price target of $349.89, indicating a 17.89% upside from its current price of $296.80 [3][5] - SAIA delivered $2.67 in earnings per share (EPS) in the most recent quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.39, suggesting strong near-term potential [6] - The company operates a hub-and-spoke model that is expected to outperform during a PMI recovery [5] Group 3: J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Analysis - J.B. Hunt's stock has a 12-month price forecast of $160.62, representing a 16.49% upside from its current price of $137.88 [8] - The company has a strong presence in diversified logistics and intermodal trucking services, which helps cushion against cyclicality [8] - Institutional investors are showing confidence in J.B. Hunt, with Corient Private Wealth increasing its holdings by 3.7% [9] Group 4: RXO Inc. Analysis - RXO's stock forecast indicates a 12-month price target of $17.08, with a modest 2.62% upside from its current price of $16.64 [11] - The company benefits from a digital broker marketplace, allowing for increased leverage with minimal capital investment [11] - RXO reported an EPS of four cents, exceeding the two-cent consensus, indicating potential for growth despite bearish market conditions [12]

Group 1 - The P/E ratio is a tool for long-term shareholders to evaluate a company's market performance against historical earnings and industry data [4] - Saia Inc. has a P/E ratio of 27.14, which is higher than the aggregate P/E ratio of 24.69 in the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting that shareholders may expect better performance from Saia Inc. compared to its peers [5] - A higher P/E ratio could indicate that the stock is overvalued, while a lower P/E might suggest undervaluation or weak growth prospects [7] Group 2 - The P/E ratio should be used cautiously as it is only one of many metrics for evaluating a company's financial health [7] - Investors should consider other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors alongside the P/E ratio for a comprehensive analysis [7]

Core Viewpoint - Saia, Inc. is set to release its quarterly financial results on October 30, 2025, before the market opens, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1]. Company Information - Saia, Inc. is a leading transportation provider specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited, and logistics services [3]. - The company operates 213 terminals across the United States, providing national service [3]. Conference Call Details - The conference call will take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2025, and can be accessed by dialing 1-833-890-5317 [2]. - A live webcast of the call will be available on the company's website, and a replay will be accessible for two hours after the call until November 30, 2025 [2].

Group 1: TimesSquare Capital Management Overview - TimesSquare Capital Management released its "U.S. Mid Cap Growth Strategy" second-quarter 2025 investor letter, reporting a fund return of 13.13% (gross) and 12.91% (net), compared to the Russell Midcap® Growth Index's return of 18.20% [1] - The second quarter saw equities recording double-digit returns as global economic activity measures improved [1] Group 2: Saia, Inc. Performance - Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAIA) reported a one-month return of 0.75% and a 52-week decline of 32.06%, with a closing stock price of $294.65 and a market capitalization of $7.848 billion as of September 29, 2025 [2] - The company experienced disappointing revenues and earnings, with increased volumes in recently acquired markets that lacked attractive profitability, while legacy markets showed flat growth [3] - Saia, Inc. announced revenue of $817 million for the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a 0.7% decrease compared to the same quarter last year [4] Group 3: Hedge Fund Interest and Strategy Reevaluation - Saia, Inc. was held by 41 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the second quarter, an increase from 35 in the previous quarter [4] - TimesSquare Capital is reconsidering Saia's position in its investment strategy due to a 22% decline in shares and concerns over macroeconomic uncertainty affecting future volumes [3]

Core Viewpoint - Saia, Inc. has received mixed analyst ratings following its second-quarter results, which showed both positive and negative trends in performance [2][3]. Financial Performance - The company reported a year-over-year revenue increase per shipment of 2.7%, excluding fuel charges [2]. - Overall revenue declined by 0.7% year-over-year to $817 million, attributed to a 2.8% decline in shipments per workday [3]. - New terminals opened in the last three years experienced a 4% sequential improvement in shipments [2]. Analyst Ratings - Analysts have mixed opinions on the stock; Stephens raised the price target from $274 to $300, while Bank of America lowered it from $353 to $347 [3]. Institutional Confidence - There are 41 hedge funds with ownership stakes in Saia, indicating strong institutional confidence [4]. - The stock has an upside potential of 10.81%, suggesting modest income for potential investors [4]. Company Background - Saia, Inc. is a transportation company specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, founded in 1924 and headquartered in Georgia [5].

Core Insights - Several LTL (Less Than Truckload) firms are experiencing volume declines in August 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating a sluggish freight environment influenced by consumer hesitancy and mixed demand levels [3][4]. Group 1: Volume and Revenue Changes - Old Dominion Freight Line, XPO, and Saia reported year-over-year declines in tonnage, while ArcBest noted a 2% increase in its asset-based operating segment [8]. - Old Dominion experienced a 4.7% increase in billed revenue per hundredweight, reflecting the ongoing softness in the domestic economy [9]. - ArcBest reported a 1% increase in revenue per day, indicating some resilience amid the overall decline in volumes [9]. Group 2: Economic Factors and Company Strategies - Companies cited macroeconomic pressures such as continued softness in manufacturing and housing activity as reasons for the decline in weight per shipment [5]. - Old Dominion emphasized its long-term positioning to win freight despite current economic challenges [5]. - ArcBest is expected to benefit from approximately $25 million in net proceeds from real estate sales in Q3, which may help improve its margins [4]. Group 3: Shipment and Weight Trends - Shipments per day declined across most carriers, with Saia being the exception, posting a slight 0.1% increase in weight per shipment year-over-year [8]. - The decline in weight per shipment was attributed to reliance on outside freight haulers as hiring increases in new markets [5].