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Upturn AI Summary - About
Saia Inc(SAIA)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for SAIA
11/09/2026: SAIA (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Saia Inc is a focused LTL motor carrier that has transitioned from a regional player to a growing national participant in the US transportation sector. The company's primary strength is its disciplined, multi-year terminal expansion program, which has successfully increased its market reach and long-term revenue potential. Its growth story is centered on capturing share through expanded service density and operational efficiency. Investors must carefully monitor risks including cyclical demand for industrial freight, high capital expenditure requirements, and intense competitive pressure from larger carriers. Saia may best suit investors looking for long-term growth within the logistics sector, though it remains sensitive to broader economic trends.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | Saia offers significant growth potential through its ongoing national terminal expansion strategy. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The stock often exhibits strong price momentum during periods of network expansion and favorable LTL pricing environments. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The company often trades at a premium multiple due to its growth profile, which may limit appeal for traditional value seekers. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Saia does not pay a cash dividend, as it prioritizes capital for network investment. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | The stock can be volatile due to its sensitivity to macroeconomic industrial trends and high capital expenditure requirements. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | Transportation stocks are often sensitive to economic shifts and industrial output data. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Growth expectations are often priced into the stock, leading to potential downside if expansion targets are missed. |
| Competition risk (LTL industry rivalry) | High | Saia competes with larger, well-capitalized carriers that have extensive infrastructure and resources. |
| Business quality | Medium / high | Saia maintains a reputable service network but operates in a capital-intensive, cyclical industry. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | No dividend payments are provided, meaning investors rely solely on capital gains. |
| Execution risk | Medium / high | Success depends heavily on the effective management and integration of new terminal capacity. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 20.41% | Avg. Invested days 48 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/09/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 8.86B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 31.43 | 1Y Target Price 414.67 |
Price to earnings Ratio 31.43 | 1Y Target Price 414.67 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 370.6K shares | Beta 2.11 | 52 Weeks Range 249.32 - 494.71 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 249.32 - 494.71 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 10.56 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| LTL Freight Transportation | Moving LTL freight across the US through its network of terminals and fleet. | Saia makes money by charging shippers to transport smaller-than-truckload shipments efficiently across its network. |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-29 | When Before Market | Estimate 3.31 | Actual 3.41 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 8.01% | Operating Margin (TTM) 12.45% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 6.22% | Return on Equity (TTM) 10.59% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 31.43 | Forward PE 23.47 | Enterprise Value 8.92B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.5 |
Enterprise Value 8.92B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.5 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.52 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 14.02 | Shares Outstanding 26.68M | Shares Floating 26.51M |
Shares Outstanding 26.68M | Shares Floating 26.51M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.15 | Percent Institutions 106.97 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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