Saia (Nasdaq: SAIA) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Saia met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved, and GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Saia tallied revenue of $253.0 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $253.4 million. Sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $224.4 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.15. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.14 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.15 for Q4 were 275% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.04 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 64.4%, 5,560 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.4%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $257.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.14.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.09 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.05.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 101 members out of 114 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give Saia a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Saia is outperform, with an average price target of $19.00.

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