Analyst Predicts Positive Outlook for Saia Amid Trucking Challenges Through 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 17 2025
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Source: Benzinga
Stock Performance: Saia, Inc. stock declined by 2.05% as investors reacted to mixed fourth-quarter freight trends, with October showing a year-over-year decline in shipments and tonnage, while November saw a slight recovery.
Analyst Insights: Bank of America Securities analyst Ken Hoexter maintained a Neutral rating on Saia, raising the price forecast from $322 to $367, citing confidence in the company's long-term growth despite current mixed performance.
Market Challenges: Saia faces ongoing challenges, particularly in its largest market, Los Angeles, where volumes are down nearly 20% year-over-year, and growth is primarily from shorter, lower-revenue lanes.
Future Outlook: The analyst noted improved contract visibility for 2026 and maintained earnings expectations, with fourth-quarter EPS projected at $1.88 and 2026 EPS at $11.10, while also expecting a larger seasonal deterioration in operating ratios.
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Analyst Views on SAIA
Wall Street analysts forecast SAIA stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SAIA is 350.29 USD with a low forecast of 250.00 USD and a high forecast of 431.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
18 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
9 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 341.780
Low
250.00
Averages
350.29
High
431.00
Current: 341.780
Low
250.00
Averages
350.29
High
431.00
About SAIA
Saia, Inc. is a transportation company. The Company provides less-than-truckload (LTL) services through a single integrated organization. It offers customers a wide range of other value-added services, including non-asset truckload, expedited and logistics services across North America. Saia Motor Freight Line, LLC (Saia LTL Freight), a subsidiary of the Company, is an LTL carrier that provides direct service to the 48 contiguous states and provides LTL services to Canada and Mexico through relationships with third-party interline carriers. Saia LTL Freight specializes in offering its customers a range of LTL services, including time-definite and expedited options. Saia LTL Freight provides its customers with solutions for shipments between 100 and 10,000 pounds. Saia LTL Freight operates a network comprised of 213 owned and leased terminals, plus three general offices and one warehouse and owns over 6,600 tractors and 26,200 trailers, including equipment acquired with finance leases.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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