Analyst Predicts Positive Outlook for Saia Amid Trucking Challenges Through 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 17 2025
0mins
Should l Buy SAIA?
Source: Benzinga
Stock Performance: Saia, Inc. stock declined by 2.05% as investors reacted to mixed fourth-quarter freight trends, with October showing a year-over-year decline in shipments and tonnage, while November saw a slight recovery.
Analyst Insights: Bank of America Securities analyst Ken Hoexter maintained a Neutral rating on Saia, raising the price forecast from $322 to $367, citing confidence in the company's long-term growth despite current mixed performance.
Market Challenges: Saia faces ongoing challenges, particularly in its largest market, Los Angeles, where volumes are down nearly 20% year-over-year, and growth is primarily from shorter, lower-revenue lanes.
Future Outlook: The analyst noted improved contract visibility for 2026 and maintained earnings expectations, with fourth-quarter EPS projected at $1.88 and 2026 EPS at $11.10, while also expecting a larger seasonal deterioration in operating ratios.
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Analyst Views on SAIA
Wall Street analysts forecast SAIA stock price to fall
18 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
9 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 379.080
Low
250.00
Averages
350.29
High
431.00
Current: 379.080
Low
250.00
Averages
350.29
High
431.00
About SAIA
Saia, Inc. is a transportation company. The Company provides less-than-truckload (LTL) services through a single integrated organization. It offers customers a wide range of other value-added services, including non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services across North America. Saia Motor Freight Line, LLC (Saia LTL Freight), a subsidiary of the Company, is an LTL carrier that provides direct service to the 48 contiguous states and provides LTL services to Canada and Mexico through relationships with third-party interline carriers. Saia LTL Freight specializes in offering its customers a range of LTL services, including time-definite and expedited options. Saia LTL Freight provides its customers with solutions for shipments between 100 and 10,000 pounds. Saia LTL Freight operates a network comprised of 213 owned and leased terminals, plus three general offices and one warehouse and owns over 6,600 tractors and 26,200 trailers, including equipment acquired with finance leases.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investor Focus: For those considering buying NCLH stock, analysts' views will serve as a crucial reference point, especially in the current market environment.
- Source of Information: This information is provided by Benzinga, highlighting the significance of analyst ratings in investment decisions, urging investors to monitor these changes for informed choices.
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- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, including upgrades, downgrades, and initiations, reflecting varying market perspectives on these firms.
- Market Reaction: While specific rating changes are not detailed, analysts' opinions typically influence investor decisions, potentially leading to price fluctuations in the affected stocks.
- Investor Focus: For those considering buying NCLH stock, analysts' views will serve as a crucial reference point, especially in the current market environment.
- Source of Information: This information is provided by Benzinga, highlighting the significance of analyst ratings in investment decisions, urging investors to monitor these changes for informed choices.
See More
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- Record Revenue: Saia, Inc. achieved a record revenue of $790 million in Q4 2025, reflecting a 0.1% increase year-over-year despite an 18% volume decline in Southern California, demonstrating the company's resilience in a dynamic demand environment.
- Safety Investments Pay Off: The company reported a 21% reduction in preventable accident frequency and a 10% decline in lost time injuries, attributed to ongoing investments in safety, which enhance employee safety and may lower future insurance costs.
- Rising Operating Ratio: The operating ratio increased to 91.9% in Q4, up from 87.1% a year ago, primarily due to rising self-insurance costs and a $4.7 million reserve increase for prior-year accidents, indicating challenges in cost management.
- Positive Future Outlook: Management projected a 100 to 200 basis point improvement in operating ratio for 2026, emphasizing a focus on realizing returns from network expansion, and maintaining an optimistic view on market opportunities despite pressures from self-insurance costs and regional volume declines.
See More
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- Amentum Holdings Decline: Amentum Holdings' stock fell approximately 12% after fiscal Q1 revenue and adjusted EBITDA missed Wall Street analysts' consensus estimates, indicating market concerns over its financial performance and potential future financing capabilities.
- BP Suspends Buyback: BP Plc suspended its stock buyback program to strengthen its balance sheet, resulting in a 6% drop in its ADRs in the U.S., reflecting the company's cautious approach amid market volatility.
- ZoomInfo Downgrade: ZoomInfo Technologies forecasted first-quarter earnings per share between 25 to 27 cents, below analysts' expectations of 27 cents, leading to a 10% decline in its stock price, which may affect market confidence and investor sentiment.
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- Revenue Growth: The total revenue of $789.95 million, reflecting a 0.1% year-over-year increase, exceeded expectations by $13.68 million, but the growth rate remains weak, suggesting a slow recovery in market demand.
- Operational Efficiency Decline: The operating ratio increased to 91.9% from 87.1% year-over-year, indicating challenges in cost control that could impact future profitability.
- Capital Expenditure Adjustment: Net capital expenditures for 2025 were $544.1 million, significantly down from $1,040.9 million in 2024, with expectations for 2026 to further decrease to approximately $350 million to $400 million, reflecting a cautious investment strategy amid ongoing market evaluations.
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- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $776.27 million, down 1.6% year-over-year, indicating challenges the company faces in the current economic climate, potentially impacting future investment decisions.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, Saia has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 63% of the time, demonstrating a degree of financial stability that may attract risk-tolerant investors.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen 12 upward revisions and 5 downward revisions, while revenue estimates experienced 11 upward and 3 downward revisions, indicating a divergence in analysts' outlook on the company's future performance, which could affect stock price volatility.
See More
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- Lumentum Earnings Beat: Lumentum Holdings Inc. surged 36.02% this week after reporting second-quarter results that exceeded expectations and providing third-quarter guidance above analyst estimates, thereby boosting investor confidence and significantly driving up the stock price.
- Transportation Stocks Rally: Saia, Inc. jumped 23.07% this week, benefiting from declining oil prices, which led to a strong performance across the transportation sector, indicating optimistic market expectations for transportation demand that could enhance future earnings.
- Westlake Stock Increase: Westlake Corporation saw a 19.27% rise in its stock price this week, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding its business outlook, particularly in the context of declining raw material costs that may improve profitability.
- Market Recovery: The strong performance of these stocks indicates a growing investor confidence in economic recovery, especially amid falling oil prices, which could further drive growth in related industries.
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