SAIA shares jump on better-than-expected Q4 results

Investing.com -- Saia (NASDAQ:SAIA) reported a decline in fourth-quarter profit even as revenue continued to grow.

The freight carrier posted net income of $76.1 million, or $2.84 per share, down from $89.2 million, or $3.33 per share, in the same period last year. Still, that came in slightly ahead of the $2.83 that analysts expected. 

Revenue climbed to approximately $789 million, up from $751.1 million a year ago, also beating the consensus estimate of $788.93 million.

The company’s shares popped nearly 5% at the market open Monday.

Saia noted that less-than-truckload shipments per workday rose 4.5% during the quarter, while revenue per shipment—excluding fuel surcharges—was up 1.3%.

“4Q results came in above expectations as SAIA continues to execute on an idiosyncratic growth story within less-than-truckload (LTL),” Jefferies analysts commented in a post-earnings note.

SAIA is set to host a conference call at 10am, with Jefferies analysts particularly interested in updates on first-quarter volume trends, expectations for a slight sequential improvement in operating ratio, and the potential impact of tariffs on Saia’s end-market customers during the company’s earnings call.

"We would expect shares to react positively post 10am conference call if commentary surrounding 1Q and 2025 operating ratio (OR) expectations sound positive,” analysts added.