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Edge16 Oct 2026
Winner, Winner: The Chicken McNugget Story
How a 1940s breeding contest, a Cornell food scientist, and a hedge by Ray Dalio helped McDonald's turn the Chicken McNugget into a fast-food icon.
Saia
Saia (SAIA) investor relations material
Saia Q3 2026 earnings summary
Complete event summary combining all related documents: earnings call transcript, report, and slide presentation.Q3 2026 earnings summary29 Oct, 2026
Executive summary
Q3 revenue was $982.454M, up 17.0% YoY, and LTL tonnage per workday set a record, rising 8.9%; operating income was $122.3M and diluted EPS was $3.41.
Compared with adjusted Q3 2025, operating income grew 17.5% and operating ratio was flat at 87.6%; nine-month revenue rose 12.3% to $2.745B.
Financial highlights
Q3 net income was $91.445M versus $86.316M; diluted EPS was $3.41 versus $3.22 reported and $2.81 adjusted in Q3 2025.
Nine-month operating income was $314.3M, up 9.1% reported and 14.8% versus adjusted 2025; net income was $235.6M versus $207.5M.
Nine-month operating cash flow was $480.8M and free cash flow was $244.9M.
Q3 salaries, wages and benefits rose 11.6%, purchased transportation 52.4%, and fuel and other operating expenses 31.2% YoY.
Outlook and guidance
Q4 operating ratio is expected to deteriorate sequentially by ~200 bps, versus typical Q3-to-Q4 deterioration of 250–300 bps; October MTD shipments rose ~2% and tonnage ~10% YoY.
Management expects continued OR improvement into 2027; annual improvement of 200 bps or better is possible depending on market conditions. Longer-term OR goal remains below 80%.
2026 net capital expenditures are expected to be ~$350M, subject to market conditions; $235.9M was spent in nine months.
Revenue and cost plans emphasize network density, targeted marketing, geographic and terminal expansion, resource alignment to volume, and productivity gains.
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Latest events from Saia
- Record Q2 revenue, margin gains, and shipment growth with lower debt and strong outlook.SAIA
Q2 2026 - Q1 2026 revenue up 2.4% to $806.2M, with stable earnings and improved cash and debt metrics.SAIAQ1 2026
- Proxy seeks votes on directors, executive pay, and auditor, highlighting strong governance and pay-for-performance.SAIAProxy Filing
- Flat Q4 revenue but sharply lower profit and margins amid ongoing network expansion.SAIAQ4 2025
- Shareholders will vote on directors, executive pay, and auditor ratification, with strong board oversight.SAIAProxy Filing
- Revenue up 8.6% but earnings down as costs rise with network and terminal expansion.SAIAQ3 2024
- Record revenue and LTL growth offset by margin pressure and increased capital spending.SAIAQ2 2024
- Revenue up 4.3%, but income and margins fell amid higher costs and network expansion.SAIAQ1 2025
- Record revenue and network growth in 2024, with higher costs and Q4 profit pressure.SAIAQ4 2024
Next Saia earnings date
Q4 20269 Feb, 2027
Saia
Next Saia earnings date
Q4 20269 Feb, 2027
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Frequently asked questions
Saia Inc. operates as a transportation company providing less-than-truckload (LTL) logistics services. It offers regional and interregional freight shipping, as well as value-added services such as expedited and consolidation solutions. The company is headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia, and its shares are listed on the NASDAQ.