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July 30, 2026 07:30 ET  | Source: Saia, Inc.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., July 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) today reported second quarter 2026 financial results. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $3.51 compared to $2.67 in the second quarter of 2025.

Highlights from the second quarter operating results were as follows:

Second Quarter 2026 Compared to Second Quarter 2025 Results

Revenue was $956.5 million, a 17.1% increaseOperating income was $125.2 million, a 26.0% increaseOperating ratio of 86.9% compared to 87.8%LTL shipments per workday increased 4.4%LTL tonnage per workday increased 8.4%LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, decreased 2.2%LTL revenue per shipment, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, increased 1.5%
Saia President and CEO, Fritz Holzgrefe, commented on the quarter stating, “Our strong second quarter results highlight the continued enhancement of our expanded service offering, disciplined execution and the commitment of our team members. We achieved record revenue and tonnage, along with a second-quarter record in shipments, reflecting solid growth across our network. At the same time, we maintained our disciplined focus on execution, as demonstrated by a record-low claims ratio of 0.3%. The team's ability to generate strong operating results while continuing our focus on supporting our customers and integrating network growth initiatives continues to differentiate Saia in the marketplace.”

Executive Vice President and CFO, Matt Batteh, noted that, “The quarter's results were driven by continued focus on pricing and mix optimization, healthy volume trends and strong operational execution. Our expanded network enables us to provide more solutions to customers, which helped drive record top line revenue and improved operating income compared to last year. We remain focused on core execution, which will continue to create long-term value for our shareholders.”

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

Saia ended the second quarter of 2026 with $84.0 million of cash on hand and total debt of $100.1 million, which compares to $18.8 million of cash on hand and total debt of $309.1 million at June 30, 2025.

Net capital expenditures were $158.0 million during the first six months 2026, compared to $375.6 million in net capital expenditures during the first six months of 2025. In 2026, we anticipate that net capital expenditures will be approximately $350 million to $400 million, subject to ongoing evaluation of market conditions.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-833-890-5317 and request to join the Saia, Inc. call. Callers should dial in five to ten minutes in advance of the conference call. This call will be webcast live via the Company website at www.saia.com/about-us/investor-relations/financial-releases. A replay of the call will be offered two hours after the completion of the call through August 30, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time. The replay will be available by dialing 1-855-669-9658 referencing conference ID #4952046.

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 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. Matthew Batteh Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer [email protected]  Saia, Inc. and SubsidiariesCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(Amounts in thousands)(Unaudited)       June 30, 2026 December 31, 2025Assets         Current Assets:    Cash and cash equivalents $84,014  $19,720 Accounts receivable, net  423,841   332,206 Prepaid expenses and other  79,791   82,630 Total current assets  587,646   434,556      Property and Equipment:    Cost  4,385,988   4,259,438 Less: accumulated depreciation  1,481,142   1,415,087 Net property and equipment  2,904,846   2,844,351 Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets  177,513   150,301 Other Assets  54,955   53,473 Total assets $3,724,960  $3,482,681      Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity         Current Liabilities:    Accounts payable $164,842  $107,424 Wages, vacation and employees' benefits  92,162   50,723 Other current liabilities  83,463   78,362 Current portion of long-term debt  124   980 Current portion of operating lease liability  30,312   27,895 Total current liabilities  370,903   265,384      Other Liabilities:    Long-term debt, less current portion  100,000   163,000 Operating lease liability, less current portion  138,755   113,119 Deferred income taxes  299,531   284,370 Claims, insurance and other  89,043   79,109 Total other liabilities  627,329   639,598      Stockholders' Equity:    Common stock  27   27 Additional paid-in capital  313,245   307,605 Deferred compensation trust  (9,828)   (9,088) Retained earnings  2,423,284   2,279,155 Total stockholders' equity  2,726,728   2,577,699 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $3,724,960  $3,482,681            Saia, Inc. and SubsidiariesCondensed Consolidated Statements of OperationsFor the Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 and 2025(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)(Unaudited)       Second Quarter Six Months   2026   2025   2026   2025 Operating Revenue $956,494  $817,115  $1,762,720  $1,604,690          Operating Expenses:        Salaries, wages and employees' benefits  434,385   390,975   827,681   780,231 Purchased transportation  84,980   57,699   149,308   117,548 Fuel, operating expenses and supplies  198,743   161,634   372,232   328,305 Operating taxes and licenses  22,438   22,014   44,670   42,451 Claims and insurance  24,409   22,826   47,311   44,371 Depreciation and amortization  64,181   62,546   126,371   121,589 Other operating losses, net  2,146   22   3,129   628 Total operating expenses  831,282   717,716   1,570,702   1,435,123          Operating Income  125,212   99,399   192,018   169,567          Nonoperating (Income) Expenses:        Interest expense  2,048   4,742   4,622   9,027 Interest income  (317)   (34)   (380)   (73) Other, net  (1,994)   (873)   (2,734)   (516) Nonoperating expenses, net  (263)   3,835   1,508   8,438          Income Before Income Taxes  125,475   95,564   190,510   161,129 Income Tax Provision  31,215   24,173   46,381   39,928 Net Income $94,260  $71,391  $144,129  $121,201          Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic  26,779   26,739   26,771   26,730 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted  26,833   26,785   26,822   26,782          Basic earnings per share $3.52  $2.67  $5.38  $4.53 Diluted earnings per share $3.51  $2.67  $5.37  $4.53           Saia, Inc. and SubsidiariesCondensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsFor the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025(Amounts in thousands)(Unaudited)  Six Months   2026   2025 Operating Activities:    Net cash provided by operating activities $291,231  $279,815 Net cash provided by operating activities  291,231   279,815 Investing Activities:    Acquisition of property and equipment  (161,063)   (377,540) Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment  3,041   1,967 Other  –   (8,394) Net cash used in investing activities  (158,022)   (383,967) Financing Activities:    Borrowing (repayment) of revolving credit facility, net  (63,000)   113,000 Proceeds from stock option exercises  427   2,463 Shares withheld for taxes  (5,486)   (7,744) Other financing activity  (856)   (4,203) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (68,915)   103,516 Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents  64,294   (636) Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period  19,720   19,473 Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $84,014  $18,837       Saia, Inc. and SubsidiariesFinancial InformationFor the Quarters Ended June 30, 2026 and 2025(Unaudited)                     Second Quarter    Second Quarter % Amount/Workday %   2026   2025  Change 2026 2025 ChangeWorkdays      64 64  Operating ratio 86.9%  87.8%        LTL tonnage (1) 1,709   1,576  8.4  26.70 24.63 8.4LTL shipments (1) 2,361   2,261  4.4  36.89 35.33 4.4LTL revenue/cwt.$27.18  $25.20  7.9       LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharge$20.94  $21.42  (2.2)       LTL revenue/shipment$393.56  $351.36  12.0       LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharge$303.12  $298.71  1.5       LTL pounds/shipment 1,448   1,394  3.9       LTL average length of haul (2) 888   893  (0.6)                    (1)In thousands.                        (2)In miles.                        Note:LTL operating statistics exclude transportation and logistics services where pricing is generally not determined by weight. The LTL operating statistics also exclude the adjustment required for financial statement purposes in accordance with the Company's revenue recognition policy.