Saia Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Saia, Inc. reported a 14.5% increase in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, with a 21.5% increase in operating income. Full year 2023 revenue increased by 3.2%, with a 2.1% decrease in operating income. Saia President and CEO, Fritz Holzgrefe, highlighted the company's market share gains and plans for expansion in 2024.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported increase in diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Saia, Inc. from $2.65 to $3.33 in Q4 and a slight decrease in annual EPS from $13.40 to $13.26 suggests a robust quarter offset by a marginally weaker overall year. This mixed performance could be attributed to various factors including operational efficiency, cost management and market conditions. The operating ratio improvement to 85.0% from 85.9% reflects tighter cost control relative to revenue, which is a positive sign for investors seeking companies with effective management. However, the slight increase in annual operating ratio indicates there might be room for further efficiency gains or that there were challenges earlier in the year.

The substantial capital expenditure plans, increasing from $437.2 million to an anticipated $1 billion, signal aggressive growth and investment strategies. This could affect the short-term liquidity but may also indicate confidence in long-term growth prospects. Investors should monitor the company's debt levels and cash flow to ensure that these investments do not unduly strain financial health.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, Saia, Inc.'s expansion of service areas and the acquisition of new terminals align with the broader industry trend towards consolidation and network optimization. The significant increase in LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments and tonnage indicates a growing market share and the ability to capture increased demand. However, the LTL revenue per hundredweight and per shipment growth rates are critical metrics that suggest Saia is not only increasing volume but also improving yield. This is a strong indicator of pricing power and value-added service recognition in the market.

Furthermore, the company's low claims ratio of 0.63% is noteworthy as it underscores operational excellence and could be a strong selling point to attract and retain customers who prioritize reliability and service quality. This operational metric could contribute to customer loyalty and potentially buffer against competitive pressures.

Logistics Expert

The logistics sector is highly sensitive to economic cycles and Saia's results may reflect broader economic trends. The increase in LTL shipments and tonnage per workday suggests that Saia is effectively managing its capacity and has potentially benefited from disruptions within the industry. The strategic move to purchase and lease additional terminals is indicative of a capacity expansion strategy that aims to improve direct market coverage and add density to existing markets, which can lead to improved service levels and customer satisfaction.

However, the expansion comes with risks, such as the potential for overextension or misalignment with market demand. The logistics industry is also facing increasing pressure from environmental regulations and the need for technological advancements. Saia's ability to adapt to these changes while managing its growth strategy will be crucial for its long-term success.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., Feb. 02, 2024 (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 2023 financial results.  Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $3.33 compared to $2.65 in the fourth quarter of 2022.  Full year diluted earnings per share were $13.26 in 2023 compared to $13.40 in 2022.

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

Fourth Quarter 2023 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

• Revenue was $751.1 million, a 14.5% increase
• Operating income was $112.7 million, a 21.5% increase
• Operating ratio of 85.0% compared to 85.9%
• LTL shipments per workday increased 18.1%
• LTL tonnage per workday increased 8.2%
• LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, increased 11.7%
• LTL revenue per shipment, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, increased 2.4%

Full Year 2023 Results Compared to Full Year 2022 Results

• Revenue was $2.9 billion, a 3.2% increase
• Operating income was $460.5 million, a 2.1% decrease
• Operating ratio of 84.0% compared to 83.1%
• LTL shipments per workday increased 4.3%
• LTL tonnage per workday increased 1.7%
• LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, increased 6.9%
• LTL revenue per shipment, excluding fuel surcharge revenue, increased 4.2%

Saia President and CEO, Fritz Holzgrefe, commented on the quarter stating, “I am pleased to bring 2023 to a close by reporting that our fourth quarter operating ratio improved by 90 basis points year-over-year to 85.0%.  Our market share gains have been meaningful since last summer's industry disruption, and it has been very satisfying for our organization to step up and provide excellent service to both new and existing customers.  To this end, we have onboarded nearly 1,500 new associates since the end of the second quarter and closed the year with just under 14,000 employees company-wide.”

“We ended the fourth quarter by being the winning bidder for the purchase of 17 terminals, along with lease rights for 11 additional terminal properties.  We completed the acquisition of these properties in mid-January. These terminals, once opened, will allow us to provide direct coverage in new markets, add density in existing markets and serve as replacement terminals for some of our existing leased and owned facilities.  In 2024, we have plans to open 15-20 new terminals and will relocate from a handful of existing properties into new locations,” continued Holzgrefe.

“Saia celebrates its 100^th anniversary in 2024, and our future has never been brighter.  As we add direct service to new geographies, we are rounding out our value proposition through a strong service offering, including a claims ratio of 0.63% in 2023, which is among the best in our industry. Our customers who value that level of quality have shown that they will increasingly use our service when we add new coverage areas,” said Holzgrefe.

“Moving into 2024, we remain focused on operational excellence in order to meet customer expectations.  In doing so, we are able to price for that high level of service which is key to achieving our profitability goals,” concluded Holzgrefe.

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

We ended 2023 with $296.2 million of cash on hand and total debt of $16.5 million, which compares to $187.4 million of cash on hand and total debt of $31.0 million at December 31, 2022.

Net capital expenditures were $437.2 million during 2023, compared to $365.5 million in net capital expenditures during 2022.  In 2024, we anticipate that net capital expenditures will be approximately $1 billion, subject to ongoing evaluation of market conditions.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results today at 10:00 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, 2024 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 194 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, mechanics and other employees, purchased transportation and fuel; (5) inflationary increases in operating 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) 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) inaccuracies and changes to estimates and assumptions used in preparing our financial statements; (22) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that support the value allocated to acquired businesses; (23) dependence on key employees; (24) employee turnover from changes to compensation and benefits or market factors; (25) increased costs of healthcare benefits; (26) damage to our reputation from adverse publicity, including from the use of or impact from social media; (27) failure to make future acquisitions or to achieve acquisition synergies; (28) 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; (29) the potential of higher corporate taxes and new regulations, including with respect to climate change, employment and labor law, healthcare and securities regulation; (30) 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; (31) unforeseen costs from new and existing data privacy laws; (32) changes in accounting and financial standards or practices; (33) widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (34) international conflicts and geopolitical instability; (35) increasing investor and customer sensitivity to social and sustainability issues, including climate change; (36)  provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law that may have anti-takeover effects; (37) issuances of equity that would dilute stock ownership; (38) weakness, disruption or loss of confidence in financial or credit markets; and (39) 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, 2023			December 31, 2022
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$296,215			$187,390
Accounts receivable, net		311,742			290,306
Prepaid expenses and other		40,737			53,190
Total current assets		648,694			530,886
Property and Equipment:
Cost		2,881,800			2,478,824
Less: accumulated depreciation		1,118,492			996,204
Net property and equipment		1,763,308			1,482,620
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets		118,734			120,455
Other Assets		52,829			40,749
Total assets		$2,583,565			$2,174,710
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable		$141,877			$99,792
Wages and employees' benefits		75,514			66,684
Other current liabilities		68,735			68,165
Current portion of long-term debt		10,173			14,519
Current portion of operating lease liability		25,757			24,925
Total current liabilities		322,056			274,085
Other Liabilities:
Long-term debt, less current portion		6,315			16,489
Operating lease liability, less current portion		96,462			98,581
Deferred income taxes		155,841			145,771
Claims, insurance and other		61,397			60,443
Total other liabilities		320,015			321,284
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock		27			26
Additional paid-in capital		285,092			277,366
Deferred compensation trust		(5,679)			(5,248)
Retained earnings		1,662,054			1,307,197
Total stockholders' equity		1,941,494			1,579,341
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$2,583,565			$2,174,710

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Quarters and Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Fourth Quarter						Years
		2023			2022			2023			2022
Operating Revenue		$751,132			$655,726			$2,881,433			$2,792,057
Operating Expenses:
Salaries, wages and employees' benefits		345,831			287,777			1,301,280			1,169,539
Purchased transportation		65,444			60,377			238,688			315,896
Fuel, operating expenses and supplies		144,291			144,694			563,688			558,456
Operating taxes and licenses		18,002			15,011			69,542			63,824
Claims and insurance		18,945			15,661			67,984			56,601
Depreciation and amortization		45,689			39,625			178,845			157,203
Operating losses (gains), net		267			(110)			910			50
Total operating expenses		638,469			563,035			2,420,937			2,321,569
Operating Income		112,663			92,691			460,496			470,488
Nonoperating (Income) Expenses:
Interest expense		935			670			2,535			2,611
Interest income		(3,158)			(83)			(6,208)			(217)
Other, net		(722)			(1,160)			(2,058)			46
Nonoperating (income) expenses, net		(2,945)			(573)			(5,731)			2,440
Income Before Income Taxes		115,608			93,264			466,227			468,048
Income Tax Provision		26,380			22,402			111,370			110,626
Net Income		$89,228			$70,862			$354,857			$357,422
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		26,648			26,561			26,632			26,520
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		26,785			26,691			26,763			26,674
Basic earnings per share		$3.35			$2.67			$13.32			$13.48
Diluted earnings per share		$3.33			$2.65			$13.26			$13.40

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Years
		2023			2022
Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$577,945			$473,026
Net cash provided by operating activities		577,945			473,026
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(439,879)			(367,429)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		2,727			1,917
Other		(11,544)			–
Net cash used in investing activities		(448,696)			(365,512)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from stock option exercises		4,875			4,511
Shares withheld for taxes		(9,216)			(11,752)
Other financing activity		(16,083)			(19,471)
Net cash used in financing activities		(20,424)			(26,712)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents		108,825			80,802
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period		187,390			106,588
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period		$296,215			$187,390

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Financial  Information
For the Quarters Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
									Fourth Quarter
			Fourth Quarter				%		Amount/Workday				%
			2023		2022		Change		2023		2022		Change
Workdays									61		61
Operating ratio			85.0%		85.9%
LTL tonnage (1)			1,345		1,243		8.2		22.05		20.37		8.2
LTL shipments (1)			2,047		1,734		18.1		33.56		28.43		18.1
LTL revenue/cwt.			$27.21		$25.42		7.0
LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharges			$22.47		$20.11		11.7
LTL revenue/shipment			$357.50		$364.44		(1.9)
LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharges			$295.22		$288.34		2.4
LTL pounds/shipment			1,314		1,433		(8.3)
LTL length of haul (2)			895		892		0.3
(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, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)
															Year Over Year
			Year Over Year								%				Amount/Workday						%
			2023				2022				Change				2023			2022			Change
Workdays															252			253
Operating ratio			84.0		%		83.1		%
LTL tonnage (1)			5,543				5,473				1.3				22.00			21.63			1.7
LTL shipments (1)			7,997				7,697				3.9				31.73			30.42			4.3
LTL revenue/cwt.			$	25.38			$	24.70			2.8
LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharges			$	20.99			$	19.63			6.9
LTL revenue/shipment			$	351.90			$	351.27			0.2
LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharges			$	291.00			$	279.16			4.2
LTL pounds/shipment			1,386				1,422				(2.5	)
LTL length of haul (2)			894				904				(1.1	)
(1	)	In thousands.
(2	)	In miles.

FAQ

What is Saia, Inc.'s ticker symbol?

The ticker symbol for Saia, Inc. is SAIA.

What were Saia, Inc.'s diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2023?

Saia, Inc.'s diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $3.33, compared to $2.65 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

What was the percentage increase in revenue for Saia, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022?

Saia, Inc. reported a 14.5% increase in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

What was the operating income for Saia, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2023?

Saia, Inc.'s operating income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $112.7 million, a 21.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

What is the full year 2023 revenue increase for Saia, Inc. compared to 2022?

Saia, Inc.'s full year 2023 revenue increased by 3.2% compared to 2022.

What was Saia, Inc.'s operating income for the full year 2023?

Saia, Inc.'s operating income for the full year 2023 was $460.5 million, a 2.1% decrease compared to 2022.

Who commented on Saia, Inc.'s fourth quarter performance?

Saia President and CEO, Fritz Holzgrefe, commented on the company's fourth quarter operating results.

What are Saia, Inc.'s plans for expansion in 2024?

Saia, Inc. plans to open 15-20 new terminals and relocate from a handful of existing properties into new locations in 2024.