Saia jumps after Q1 results, steady EPS and stronger balance sheet
Saia shares rose after the company reported Q1 2026 results with EPS of $1.86 and operating revenue of $806.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Investors also focused on improved balance-sheet metrics, including cash of $39.2 million and total debt of $112.8 million at quarter-end.
1. What’s moving SAIA today
Saia, Inc. (SAIA) is moving higher after releasing first-quarter 2026 financial results dated April 30, 2026, which showed diluted EPS of $1.86 on operating revenue of $806.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. The report also highlighted a stronger financial position versus a year ago, with cash rising to $39.2 million and total debt down to $112.8 million at quarter-end.
2. Key operating signals investors are reacting to
Beyond headline EPS, the quarter’s operating details pointed to a mix of volume and price dynamics. LTL shipments increased 1.0% year over year (to 2,192 thousand), while LTL tonnage decreased 2.1% (to 1,513 thousand), and LTL revenue per hundredweight rose 3.8% to $25.93, indicating firmer yield even as weight per shipment declined.
3. Cash flow, leverage, and spending outlook
Saia reported net cash provided by operating activities of $139.6 million in Q1 2026 versus $109.1 million in Q1 2025, and net capital expenditures of $63.7 million versus $202.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The company maintained its 2026 outlook for net capital expenditures of approximately $350 million to $400 million, subject to ongoing evaluation of market conditions.