Saia Provides First Quarter LTL Operating Data

Rhea-AI Summary

Saia (Nasdaq: SAIA) has released its LTL operating data for January and February 2025. In January 2025, the company reported:

• LTL shipments per workday increased 6.8%
• LTL tonnage per workday rose 13.8%
• LTL weight per shipment grew 6.5% to 1,421 pounds (vs 1,334 pounds in January 2024)

For February 2025, the metrics showed:

• LTL shipments per workday up 4.2%
• LTL tonnage per workday increased 12.2%
• LTL weight per shipment improved 7.6% to 1,411 pounds (vs 1,311 pounds in February 2024)

Positive

• LTL tonnage per workday increased 13.8% in January and 12.2% in February
• LTL shipments per workday grew 6.8% in January and 4.2% in February
• Weight per shipment improved 6.5-7.6% year-over-year
• Consistent growth across all key metrics indicates strong operational performance

Negative

• Month-over-month slowdown in shipment growth (6.8% to 4.2%)
• Month-over-month decline in tonnage growth (13.8% to 12.2%)

Insights

Financial Analyst

Saia's latest operational metrics reveal exceptional growth across key performance indicators for early 2025. The LTL carrier reported tonnage increases of 13.8% and 12.2% for January and February respectively, substantially outpacing shipment growth of 6.8% and 4.2% for the same periods. This widening gap between tonnage and shipment growth rates directly indicates Saia is handling significantly heavier shipments - up 6.5% to 1,421 pounds in January and 7.6% to 1,411 pounds in February year-over-year.

This weight-per-shipment growth has particularly positive implications for revenue performance. In the LTL sector, heavier shipments typically command better revenue-per-hundredweight metrics and improve operational density. The combination of more shipments and substantially heavier loads suggests Saia is likely experiencing favorable freight mix changes that could translate to stronger revenue growth than shipment counts alone would indicate.

The company's ongoing network expansion to 213 terminals across 48 states appears to be yielding tangible results, allowing Saia to capture additional freight opportunities. This operational momentum in the first two months establishes a solid foundation for Q1 financial performance, though investors should monitor whether the slight deceleration in shipment growth between January and February continues or stabilizes.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA), a leading transportation provider offering national less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services, is providing LTL shipment and tonnage data for the first two months of the first quarter. In January 2025, LTL shipments per workday increased 6.8%, LTL tonnage per workday increased 13.8% and LTL weight per shipment increased 6.5% to 1,421 pounds compared to 1,334 pounds in January 2024. In February 2025, LTL shipments per workday increased 4.2%, LTL tonnage per workday increased 12.2% and LTL weight per shipment increased 7.6% to 1,411 pounds compared to 1,311 pounds in February 2024.

These changes are summarized in the table below:

		January 2025  versus January 2024		February 2025  versus February 2024		Quarter to Date (QTD) 2025 versus QTD 2024
LTL Shipments per workday		6.8%		4.2%		5.5%
LTL Tonnage per workday		13.8%		12.2%		13.0%
LTL Weight per shipment		6.5%		7.6%		7.1%

Actual first quarter and annual shipments, tonnage and weight per shipment could differ materially from the data expressed in this press release, including by reason of the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information herein speaks as of the date of this press release and is subject to change. Saia is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) offers customers a wide range of less-than-truckload, non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services. With headquarters in Georgia, Saia LTL Freight operates 213 terminals with service across 48 states. 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) capacity and highway infrastructure constraints; (18) risks arising from new or higher tariffs; (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) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that support the value allocated to acquired businesses; (26) dependence on key employees; (27) employee turnover from changes to compensation and benefits or market factors; (28) increased costs of healthcare benefits; (29) damage to our reputation from adverse publicity, including from the use of or impact from social media; (30) failure to achieve synergies and the disruption to our business due to acquisitions; (31) 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; (32) the potential of higher corporate taxes and new regulations, including with respect to climate change, employment and labor law, healthcare and securities regulation; (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) unforeseen costs from new and existing data privacy laws; (35) changes to the way LTL freight is categorized; (36) costs from new and existing laws regarding how to classify workers; (37) changes in accounting and financial standards or practices; (38) widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease; (39) international conflicts and geopolitical instability; (40) evolving stakeholder expectations regarding environmental and social issues; (41) provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law that may have anti-takeover effects; (42) issuances of equity that would dilute stock ownership; (43) weakness, disruption or loss of confidence in financial or credit markets; and (44) 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 Investors@saia.com

FAQ

What are Saia's LTL shipment growth rates for January and February 2025?

Saia's LTL shipments per workday increased 6.8% in January 2025 and 4.2% in February 2025.

How much did Saia's LTL tonnage per workday grow in early 2025?

Saia's LTL tonnage per workday grew 13.8% in January 2025 and 12.2% in February 2025.

What is the trend in Saia's LTL weight per shipment for January-February 2025?

Weight per shipment increased from 1,334 to 1,421 pounds (6.5%) in January and from 1,311 to 1,411 pounds (7.6%) in February 2025.

How has Saia's operational efficiency improved in early 2025?

Saia showed improved efficiency with increased tonnage per workday (12-13%) and higher weight per shipment (6-7%), indicating stronger operational performance.