Saia Reports Record First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Saia, Inc. (SAIA) reported robust first quarter 2021 results with a revenue increase of 8.4% year-over-year, reaching $484.1 million. Diluted earnings per share rose to $1.40 from $1.06 in Q1 2020. Operating income surged 25.6% to $48.7 million, and the operating ratio improved to 89.9. Despite challenges from severe winter weather, LTL shipments and tonnage increased by 2.6% and 5.3%, respectively. Cash on hand exceeded $53 million, while total debt decreased significantly from $235.8 million to $66 million.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 8.4% year-over-year to $484.1 million.
• Diluted earnings per share rose from $1.06 in Q1 2020 to $1.40.
• Operating income grew by 25.6% to $48.7 million.
• Operating ratio improved to 89.9, marking three consecutive quarters below 90%.
• LTL revenue per shipment increased by 8.4% to $261.96.
• Cash on hand was over $53 million, with total debt significantly reduced from $235.8 million to $66 million.

Negative

• Severe winter weather in February impacted network operations, leading to lost business days.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., April 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saia, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAIA), a leading transportation provider offering multi-regional less-than-truckload (LTL), non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services, today reported first quarter 2021 financial results. Diluted earnings per share in the quarter were $1.40 compared to $1.06 in the first quarter of 2020.

Highlights from the first quarter operating results were as follows:

First Quarter 2021 Compared to First Quarter 2020 Results

• Revenue was $484.1 million, a 8.4% increase
• Operating income was $48.7 million, a 25.6% increase
• Operating ratio of 89.9 compared to 91.3
• LTL shipments per workday increased 2.6%
• LTL tonnage per workday increased 5.3%
• LTL revenue per hundredweight increased 5.6%
• LTL revenue per shipment rose 8.4% to $261.96
  

First quarter effective tax rate was 22.3% compared to 23.7% in the same period last year.

“Though first quarter results were impacted by severe winter weather in February, overall I am satisfied with how we handled the disruption to our network and delivered record first quarter revenue, operating income and operating ratio,” said Saia President and Chief Executive Officer, Frederick Holzgrefe. “For several days in mid-February we had about one-third of our network either closed or with limited operations as a result of severe winter weather which blanketed a good portion of the central U.S. Some business was undoubtedly lost during those days, but our operations team responded very well to quickly get our network productivity back to pre-storm levels,” added Holzgrefe.

“March results include some catch-up activity, but business trends improved as well and we were able to post revenue growth of 8.4% for the quarter and a sub-90% operating ratio for the third consecutive quarter,” said Holzgrefe. “Our targeted pricing actions continue to yield positive outcomes and our revenue per shipment grew 8.4% in the quarter and is driving our margin improvement,” concluded Mr. Holzgrefe.

Saia Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Douglas Col stated, “Record first quarter operating margins drove a 19% increase in operating cash flow and we exited the quarter with more than $53 million in cash on hand. In terms of other activity, we opened one new terminal in the first quarter and several others are in various stages of development, including a new terminal under construction in Northeast Atlanta, which we expect to open before the end of this year.”

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

Total debt was $66.0 million at March 31, 2021 and inclusive of the cash on-hand, net debt to total capital was 1.3%. This compares to total debt of $235.8 million and net debt to total capital of 18.3% at March 31, 2020.

Net capital investments were $25.4 million in the first quarter of 2021. This compares to $102.7 million in net capital investments in the first quarter of 2020, which included equipment acquired with finance leases. In 2021, we anticipate net capital expenditures will be approximately $275 million.

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 800-353-6461 or 334-323-0501 referencing conference ID #2579097. 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 https://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 May 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The replay will be available by dialing 888-203-1112.

Saia, Inc. (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 170 terminals serving across 44 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. 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 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, purchased transportation and fuel; (5) claims expenses and other expense volatility, including for personal injury, cargo loss and damage, workers’ compensation, employment and group health plan claims; (6) 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 policy or be unable to obtain insurance coverage; (7) failure to successfully execute the strategy to expand our service geography; (8) 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; (9) failure to keep pace with technological developments; (10) labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of our workforce become unionized; (11) cost and availability of real property and revenue equipment; (12) capacity and highway infrastructure constraints; (13) risks arising from international business operations and relationships; (14) seasonal factors, harsh weather and disasters caused by climate change; (15) economic declines in the geographic regions or industries in which our customers operate; (16) the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; (17) our need for capital and uncertainty of the credit markets; (18) the possibility of defaults under our debt agreements (including violation of financial covenants); (19) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that support the value allocated to acquired businesses; (20) dependence on key employees; (21) increased costs of healthcare benefits; (22) damage to our reputation from adverse publicity, including from the use of or impact from social media; (23) failure to make future acquisitions or to achieve acquisition synergies; (24) 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; (25) the potential of higher corporate taxes and new regulations, including with respect to climate change, employment and labor law, healthcare and securities regulation; (26) the effect of governmental regulations, including hours of service 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; (27) unforeseen costs from new and existing data privacy laws; (28) changes in accounting and financial standards or practices; (29) widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease, including the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other health crisis or business disruptions that may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic in the future; (30) increasing investor and customer sensitivity to social and sustainability issues, including climate change; (31) anti-terrorism measures and terrorist events; (32) provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law that may have anti-takeover effects; (33) issuances of equity that would dilute stock ownership; and (34) 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. Investor Relations investors@saia.com 770.232.4088

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,260			$	25,308
Accounts receivable, net		242,895				216,899
Prepaid expenses and other		52,160				29,489
Total current assets		348,315				271,696
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Cost		1,918,279				1,901,244
Less: accumulated depreciation		796,511				765,217
Net property and equipment		1,121,768				1,136,027
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS		111,737				113,715
OTHER ASSETS		28,765				27,336
Total assets	$	1,610,585			$	1,548,774
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	121,613			$	89,381
Wages and employees' benefits		49,007				55,392
Other current liabilities		95,247				90,184
Current portion of long-term debt		21,055				20,588
Current portion of operating lease liability		20,336				20,209
Total current liabilities		307,258				275,754
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, less current portion		44,962				50,388
Operating lease liability, less current portion		93,366				95,321
Deferred income taxes		121,144				119,818
Claims, insurance and other		46,237				46,205
Total other liabilities		305,709				311,732
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock		26				26
Additional paid-in capital		267,430				267,666
Deferred compensation trust		(3,669	)			(2,944	)
Retained earnings		733,831				696,540
Total stockholders' equity		997,618				961,288
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,610,585			$	1,548,774

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	First Quarter
		2021				2020
OPERATING REVENUE	$	484,074			$	446,396
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and employees' benefits		244,437				238,645
Purchased transportation		45,031				30,059
Fuel, operating expenses and supplies		84,901				82,899
Operating taxes and licenses		14,338				14,396
Claims and insurance		11,480				10,421
Depreciation and amortization		35,372				32,590
Gain from property disposals, net		(199	)			(1,390	)
Total operating expenses		435,360				407,620
OPERATING INCOME		48,714				38,776
NONOPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense		852				1,402
Other, net		(131	)			547
Nonoperating expenses, net		721				1,949
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		47,993				36,827
Income tax expense		10,702				8,716
NET INCOME	$	37,291			$	28,111
Average common shares outstanding - basic		26,285				26,070
Average common shares outstanding - diluted		26,671				26,492
Basic earnings per share	$	1.42			$	1.08
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.40			$	1.06

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	First Quarter
		2021				2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	60,971			$	51,267
Net cash provided by operating activities		60,971				51,267
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(25,568	)			(107,591	)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		180				4,915
Net cash used in investing activities		(25,388	)			(102,676	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowing (repayment) of revolving credit agreement, net		–				104,140
Proceeds from stock option exercises		3,678				2,137
Shares withheld for taxes		(6,350	)			(3,404	)
Other financing activity		(4,959	)			(4,803	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(7,631	)			98,070
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		27,952				46,661
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD		25,308				248
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	53,260			$	46,909

Saia, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Financial Information
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
(Unaudited)
													First Quarter
			First Quarter								%		Amount/Workday				%
				2021				2020			Change		2021		2020		Change
Workdays													63		64
Operating ratio				89.9	%			91.3	%
LTL tonnage (1)				1,247				1,203			3.7		19.79		18.80		5.3
LTL shipments (1)				1,826				1,809			0.9		28.99		28.26		2.6
LTL revenue/cwt.			$	19.18			$	18.16			5.6
LTL revenue/cwt., excluding fuel surcharges			$	16.68			$	15.78			5.7
LTL revenue/shipment			$	261.96			$	241.61			8.4
LTL revenue/shipment, excluding fuel surcharges			$	227.82			$	209.92			8.5
LTL pounds/shipment				1,366				1,331			2.6
LTL length of haul (2)				904				848			6.6
(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.

FAQ

What were Saia's revenue results for Q1 2021?

Saia reported revenue of $484.1 million for the first quarter of 2021, an 8.4% increase from the previous year.

How much did Saia's diluted earnings per share increase in Q1 2021?

Diluted earnings per share for Saia increased to $1.40 in Q1 2021, up from $1.06 in Q1 2020.

What is Saia's operating income for the first quarter of 2021?

Saia's operating income for the first quarter of 2021 was $48.7 million, reflecting a 25.6% increase over the previous year.

How did the severe winter weather affect Saia's performance?

Severe winter weather in February disrupted Saia's network operations, leading to some lost business, although the company managed to recover quickly.

What financial position does Saia maintain regarding its debt?

As of March 31, 2021, Saia's total debt was $66 million, significantly down from $235.8 million the previous year.