Saia Analyzes LTL Shipment Data for Q1 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 03 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SAIA?
Saia is providing LTL shipment and tonnage data for the first two months of the first quarter. In January 2026, LTL shipments per workday declined 2.1%, LTL tonnage per workday declined 7.0% and LTL weight per shipment declined 5.1%, in each case compared to January 2025. In February 2026, LTL shipments per workday increased 0.3%, LTL tonnage per workday declined 2.7% and LTL weight per shipment declined 3.0%, in each case compared to February 2025. Additionally, contractual renewals in January 2026 were 6.6% and remained strong in February 2026 at 5.9%.
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Analyst Views on SAIA
Wall Street analysts forecast SAIA stock price to fall
18 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
9 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 356.030
Low
250.00
Averages
350.29
High
431.00
Current: 356.030
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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- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, reflecting varying market perspectives that could influence investor decisions and market trends.
- Investor Focus: Analysts' opinions are particularly crucial when considering the purchase of SMTC stock, as these insights may affect investor confidence and willingness to buy, directly impacting stock prices.
- Source of Updates: A complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, can be found on our analyst ratings page, providing a comprehensive perspective to help investors make informed decisions.
- Market Dynamics Impact: The adjustments in analysts' ratings not only reflect views on company fundamentals but may also influence overall market sentiment, subsequently affecting trading volumes and price fluctuations of related stocks.
See More
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- Tonnage and Weight Reductions: The same month saw a 7.0% decline in LTL tonnage per workday and a 5.1% drop in weight per shipment, suggesting decreased transportation efficiency that may lead to rising operational costs and affect profit margins.
- February Data Recovery: Although February showed a slight increase of 0.3% in LTL shipments per workday, tonnage and weight still decreased by 2.7% and 3.0%, respectively, reflecting a sluggish market recovery that warrants close monitoring of future trends.
- Stable Contract Renewals: The contract renewal rates for January and February 2026 were 6.6% and 5.9%, respectively, indicating that despite the decline in shipments, the stability of contract renewals may provide some revenue assurance for the company.
See More
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- New Board Member: Proficient Auto Logistics has appointed Rohit Lal to its Board, who currently serves as Executive Vice President of IT Strategy at Saia, Inc., where he leads the development and delivery of enterprise-wide solutions, expected to bring significant technological strategy experience to the company.
- Strategic Enhancement: Lal's appointment is seen as a key move to strengthen the Board, with CEO Rick O'Dell stating that his expertise will advance the company's long-term strategy and facilitate investments in scalable growth.
- Rich Industry Background: Prior to Saia, Lal was the Director of Enterprise Architecture at CONA Services, managing IT shared services co-owned by The Coca-Cola Company, showcasing his extensive experience in enterprise technology transformation.
- Educational Credentials: Lal holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, and his diverse experience in business development and ERP value realization is expected to provide Proficient Auto Logistics with new perspectives and strategic insights.
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