Financial Release

JOHNS CREEK, Ga., April 27, 2018 (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 2018 financial results. Diluted earnings per share were $0.80 for the first quarter and include a $0.03 per share positive impact from alternative fuel tax credits for the full year 2017, enacted in the first quarter of this year.  The Company earned $0.44 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017.

First Quarter 2018 Compared to First Quarter 2017 Results

• Revenues were $393 million, a 22% increase
• LTL Shipments and Tonnage rose 8.4% and 12.2%, respectively
• LTL Revenue per hundredweight increased 7.7%
• Operating ratio improved by 160 basis points to 93.0%
• Operating income rose 57% to a record $27.6 million
• Net income benefitted from a lower effective income tax rate as well as the aforementioned fuel tax credit, and rose 85% to $21.1 million

“I am pleased that we were able to translate the strong shipment and tonnage growth in the quarter into improved operating results,” said Saia President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick O’Dell.  “During the quarter we opened two new terminals and put hundreds of new tractors and trailers into service across our network, while maintaining high quality service for our customers.  The rate environment remains constructive and our contractual renewals in the quarter saw an average increase of 7.6%,” O’Dell continued.

“We have now opened a total of eight new terminals in the past year.  All but one are in markets where we previously had not offered direct service.  Our customers are embracing the better geographic coverage as we continue to extend Saia’s service capabilities,” concluded Mr. O’Dell.
                                                                                                               
Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

Total debt was $142.6 million at March 31, 2018 and inclusive of the cash on-hand, net debt to total capital was 19.0%.  This compares to total debt of $156.9 million and net debt to total capital of 24.0% at March 31, 2017.

Net capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2018 were $52.1 million including equipment acquired with capital leases.  This compares to $108.2 million in net capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2017.  The Company currently plans net capital expenditures in 2018 of approximately $265 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 866-548-4713 or 323-794-2093 referencing conference ID #6971125.  Callers should dial in five to ten minutes in advance of the conference call.  This call will be webcast live via the Company web site at www.saiacorp.com.  A replay of the call will be offered two hours after the completion of the call through Friday, May 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  The replay will be available by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820.

Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: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 156 terminals across 39 states.  For more information on Saia, Inc. visit the Investor Relations section at www.saiacorp.com.

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) effectiveness of Company-specific performance improvement initiatives, including management of the cost structure to match shifts in customer volume levels; (3) the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services; (4) failure to achieve acquisition synergies; (5) failure to operate and grow acquired businesses in a manner that supports the value allocated to these acquired businesses, including their goodwill; (6) economic declines in the geographic regions or industries in which our customers operate; (7) competitive initiatives and pricing pressures, including in connection with fuel surcharge; (8) loss of significant customers; (9) the Company’s need for capital and uncertainty of the credit markets; (10) the possibility of defaults under the Company’s debt agreements (including violation of financial covenants); (11) possible issuance of equity which would dilute stock ownership; (12) integration risks; (13) the effect of litigation including class action lawsuits; (14) cost and availability of qualified drivers, fuel, purchased transportation, real property, revenue equipment and other assets; (15) governmental regulations, including but not limited to Hours of Service, engine emissions, the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) initiative, compliance with legislation requiring companies to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting, Homeland Security, environmental regulations, tax law changes, potential changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Food and Drug Administration; (16) changes in interpretation of accounting principles; (17) dependence on key employees; (18) inclement weather; (19) labor relations, including the adverse impact should a portion of the Company’s workforce become unionized; (20) terrorism risks; (21) self-insurance claims and other expense volatility; (22) cost and availability of insurance coverage; (23) increased costs of healthcare and prescription drugs, including as a result of healthcare reform legislation; (24) social media risks; (25) cyber security risk; (26) failure to successfully execute the strategy to expand the Company’s service geography into the Northeastern United States; and (27) 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.  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.

CONTACT:  Saia, Inc.
Doug Col
dcol@saia.com
678.542.3910

Source: Saia, Inc.