Saia (Nasdaq: SAIA) reported earnings on April 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Saia met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
Saia booked revenue of $268.7 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ looked for revenue of $272.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $243.0 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.34. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q1 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.04 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 12.0%, 290 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.1%, 240 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.1%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $285.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.11 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.15.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 103 members out of 116 rating the stock outperform, and 13 members rating it underperform. Among 25 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 23 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 $20.25.

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