Saia Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA) announced its fourth quarter 2022 results, reporting revenue of $655.7 million, a 6.3% increase year-over-year. However, diluted earnings per share decreased to $2.65 from $2.76 in Q4 2021. Operating income fell 4.8% to $92.7 million, leading to an operating ratio of 85.9%. Full-year revenue reached $2.8 billion, a 22.0% increase, with operating income up 40.4% to $470.5 million. Saia expanded its terminal network significantly, and plans five new openings in 2023. The company ended 2022 with $187.4 million cash and low debt levels, positioning itself well for future investments.

Positive

• Full-year revenue increased by 22.0% to $2.8 billion.
• Operating income grew by 40.4% to $470.5 million for the full year.
• Operating ratio improved to 83.1% from 85.4% year-over-year.
• Revenue per shipment rose 21.5% to $351.27.

Negative

• Fourth quarter diluted EPS decreased to $2.65 from $2.76 year-over-year.
• Operating income in Q4 fell 4.8% to $92.7 million.
• LTL shipments per workday decreased by 8.2%.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., Feb. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA), a leading transportation provider offering national less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services, today reported fourth quarter 2022 financial results. Diluted earnings per share in the quarter were $2.65 compared to $2.76 in the fourth quarter of 2021. Full year diluted earnings per share were $13.40 in 2022 compared to $9.48 in 2021.

Highlights from the fourth quarter and full year operating results were as follows:

Fourth Quarter 2022 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2021 Results

• Revenue was $655.7 million, a 6.3% increase
• Operating income was $92.7 million, a 4.8% decrease
• Operating ratio of 85.9% compared to 84.2%
• LTL shipments per workday decreased 8.2%
• LTL tonnage per workday decreased 7.7%
• LTL revenue per hundredweight increased 14.3%
• LTL revenue per shipment rose 15.0% to $364.44
  

Full Year 2022 Results Compared to Full Year 2021 Results

• Revenue was $2.8 billion, a 22.0% increase
• Operating income was $470.5 million, a 40.4% increase
• Operating ratio of 83.1% compared to 85.4%
• LTL shipments per workday decreased 0.8%
• LTL tonnage per workday increased 0.9%
• LTL revenue per hundredweight increased 19.4%
• LTL revenue per shipment rose 21.5% to $351.27
  

“Fourth quarter results were impacted by slowing volumes throughout the quarter and December tonnage per day was down 13.2%. Despite this softer freight environment, revenue grew by 6.3% and was a fourth quarter record. Revenue per shipment grew by 15% in the quarter, benefitting from solid pricing activity as well as increased fuel surcharge revenue versus the prior year,” stated Saia President and Chief Executive Officer, Fritz Holzgrefe.

“Stepping back and looking at full-year results, it was another successful year for our company as we grew revenue by 22% and operating income by more than 40%. We opened 11 additional terminals this past year and have developed a robust pipeline of more than 30 properties to support additional openings in the years to come,” continued Holzgrefe. “Our expansion efforts are at the core of our strategy to enhance customer service and extend our high quality service offering into more communities where our customers do business and where we can offer quality LTL service to new customers. We are taking a measured approach to expansion in 2023 with five terminal openings scheduled for the first half and will be opportunistic with openings beyond those,” concluded Holzgrefe.

Saia Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Douglas Col added, “after another record year of financial performance, including a record full year operating ratio of 83.1%, our balance sheet positions us well for the inherent cyclicality we are facing in the industrial economy this year. With more than $187 million cash on hand at the end of the year, we feel good about our ability to continue to
invest in our fleet, technology, properties and our people in 2023.”

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

We ended the fourth quarter of 2022 with $187.4 million of cash on hand and total debt of $31.0 million, which compares to $106.6 million of cash on hand and total debt of $50.4 million at December 31, 2021.

Net capital expenditures were $365.5 million in 2022, compared to $277.3 million in net capital expenditures in 2021. In 2023, we anticipate that net capital expenditures will be in excess of $400 million, subject to ongoing evaluation of market conditions.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-888-440-5655 or 1-646-960-0338 referencing conference ID #9246157. 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 March 3, 2023 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time. The replay will be available by dialing 1-800-770-2030 or 1-647-362-9199 referencing conference ID #9246157.

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 187 terminals with service across 45 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” 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 and other employees, purchased transportation and fuel; (5) inflationary increases in operating expenses and corresponding reductions of profitability; (6) claims expenses and other expense volatility, including for personal injury, cargo loss and damage, workers’ compensation, employment and group health plan claims; (7) cost and availability of insurance coverage, including the possibility the Company may be required to pay additional premiums, assume additional liability under its auto liability policies or be unable to obtain insurance coverage; (8) failure to successfully execute the strategy to expand our service geography; (9) 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; (10) failure to keep pace with technological developments; (11) labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of our workforce become unionized; (12) cost, availability and resale value of real property and revenue equipment; (13) supply chain disruption and delays on new equipment delivery; (14) capacity and highway infrastructure constraints; (15) risks arising from international business operations and relationships; (16) seasonal factors, harsh weather and disasters caused by climate change; (17) economic declines in the geographic regions or industries in which our customers operate; (18) the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; (19) our need for capital and uncertainty of the credit markets; (20) the possibility of defaults under our debt agreements, including violation of financial covenants; (21) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that support the value allocated to acquired businesses; (22) dependence on key employees; (23) employee turnover from changes to compensation and benefits or market factors; (24) increased costs of healthcare benefits; (25) damage to our reputation from adverse publicity, including from the use of or impact from social media; (26) failure to make future acquisitions or to achieve acquisition synergies; (27) 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; (28) the potential of higher corporate taxes and new regulations, including with respect to climate change, employment and labor law, healthcare and securities regulation; (29) 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; (30) unforeseen costs from new and existing data privacy laws; (31) changes in accounting and financial standards or practices; (32) widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease, including the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other health crisis or business disruptions and higher costs that may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic in the future, including governmental regulations requiring that employees be vaccinated or be tested regularly for COVID-19 before reporting to work; (33) increasing investor and customer sensitivity to social and sustainability issues, including climate change; (34) provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law that may have anti-takeover effects; (35) issuances of equity that would dilute stock ownership; and (36) 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. Douglas Col Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Investors@saia.com

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$187,390		$106,588
Accounts receivable, net		290,306		276,755
Prepaid expenses and other		53,190		32,912
Total current assets		530,886		416,255
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Cost		2,478,824		2,144,528
Less: accumulated depreciation		996,204		864,074
Net property and equipment		1,482,620		1,280,454
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS		120,455		107,781
OTHER ASSETS		40,749		40,760
Total assets		$2,174,710		$1,845,250
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		$99,792		$114,010
Wages and employees' benefits		66,684		73,109
Other current liabilities		68,165		93,268
Current portion of long-term debt		14,519		19,396
Current portion of operating lease liability		24,925		21,565
Total current liabilities		274,085		321,348
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, less current portion		16,489		31,008
Operating lease liability, less current portion		98,581		88,409
Deferred income taxes		145,771		124,137
Claims, insurance and other		60,443		60,015
Total other liabilities		321,284		303,569
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock		26		26
Additional paid-in capital		277,366		274,633
Deferred compensation trust		(5,248)		(4,101)
Retained earnings		1,307,197		949,775
Total stockholders' equity		1,579,341		1,220,333
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$2,174,710		$1,845,250

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Quarters and Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Fourth Quarter				Years
		2022		2021		2022		2021
OPERATING REVENUE		$655,726		$617,081		$2,792,057		$2,288,704
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and employees' benefits		287,777		273,393		1,169,539		1,063,703
Purchased transportation		60,377		70,005		315,896		249,710
Fuel, operating expenses and supplies		144,694		107,505		558,456		381,904
Operating taxes and licenses		15,011		15,626		63,824		59,095
Claims and insurance		15,661		17,019		56,601		61,345
Depreciation and amortization		39,625		35,927		157,203		141,700
Operating (gains) losses, net		(110)		221		50		(3,894)
Total operating expenses		563,035		519,696		2,321,569		1,953,563
OPERATING INCOME		92,691		97,385		470,488		335,141
NONOPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense		670		749		2,611		3,212
Other, net		(1,243)		(297)		(171)		(844)
Nonoperating expenses, net		(573)		452		2,440		2,368
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		93,264		96,933		468,048		332,773
Income tax expense		22,402		23,172		110,626		79,538
NET INCOME		$70,862		$73,761		$357,422		$253,235
Average common shares outstanding - basic		26,561		26,336		26,520		26,322
Average common shares outstanding - diluted		26,691		26,734		26,674		26,707
Basic earnings per share		$2.67		$2.80		$13.48		$9.62
Diluted earnings per share		$2.65		$2.76		$13.40		$9.48

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Years
		2022		2021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$473,026		$382,592
Net cash provided by operating activities		473,026		382,592
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(367,429)		(285,746)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		1,917		8,398
Other		–		(500)
Net cash used in investing activities		(365,512)		(277,848)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowing (repayment) of revolving credit agreement, net		–		–
Proceeds from stock option exercises		4,511		3,678
Shares withheld for taxes		(11,752)		(6,571)
Other financing activity		(19,471)		(20,571)
Net cash used in financing activities		(26,712)		(23,464)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		80,802		81,280
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR		106,588		25,308
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR		$187,390		$106,588

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Financial Information
For the Quarters Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
(Unaudited)
							Fourth Quarter
	Fourth Quarter				%		Amount/Workday				%
	2022		2021		Change		2022		2021		Change
Workdays							61		61
Operating ratio	85.9%		84.2%
LTL tonnage (1)	1,243		1,346		(7.7)		20.37		22.07		(7.7)
LTL shipments (1)	1,734		1,888		(8.2)		28.43		30.96		(8.2)
LTL revenue/cwt.	$25.42		$22.24		14.3
LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharges	$20.11		$18.89		6.5
LTL revenue/shipment	$364.44		$317.04		15.0
LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharges	$288.34		$269.30		7.1
LTL pounds/shipment	1,433		1,426		0.5
LTL length of haul (2)	892		924		(3.5)
(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.

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Financial Information
For the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
(Unaudited)
							Year Over Year
	Year Over Year				%		Amount/Workday				%
	2022		2021		Change		2022		2021		Change
Workdays							253		252
Operating ratio	83.1%		85.4%
LTL tonnage (1)	5,473		5,401		1.3		21.63		21.43		0.9
LTL shipments (1)	7,697		7,730		(0.4)		30.42		30.68		(0.8)
LTL revenue/cwt.	$24.70		$20.68		19.4
LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharges	$19.63		$17.72		10.8
LTL revenue/shipment	$351.27		$289.00		21.5
LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharges	$279.16		$247.56		12.8
LTL pounds/shipment	1,422		1,397		1.8
LTL length of haul (2)	904		913		(1.0)
(1) In thousands.
(2) In miles.

FAQ

What were Saia's Q4 2022 earnings per share?

Saia reported diluted earnings per share of $2.65 in Q4 2022, down from $2.76 in Q4 2021.

How much did Saia's revenue grow in 2022?

Saia's revenue grew by 22.0% in 2022, reaching $2.8 billion.

What is Saia's operating ratio for the full year 2022?

Saia achieved an operating ratio of 83.1% for the full year 2022.

How many terminals did Saia open in 2022?

Saia opened 11 additional terminals in 2022.

What is Saia's plan for capital expenditures in 2023?

Saia anticipates net capital expenditures exceeding $400 million in 2023.