Saia Surges to Top Trading Volume as Shares Rally 3.98% on Strong Earnings and Institutional Stake Shifts

On August 13, 2025, Saia (SAIA) saw a surge in trading activity, with a volume of $330 million, up 62.62% from the prior day. The stock closed at 3.98% higher, marking a notable rebound in a market where broader indices showed mixed performance.

Recent developments highlight Saia’s operational resilience. The company’s Q2 earnings exceeded expectations, with adjusted EPS of $2.67, outperforming the $2.39 forecast. Despite a 0.7% year-over-year revenue decline, analysts noted improved cost controls and network optimization as key drivers of profitability. Analysts from Stifel and Goldman Sachs upgraded their ratings, with price targets raised to $300–$410, reflecting confidence in the company’s strategic adjustments.

Institutional holdings revealed shifting investor sentiment. Vanguard Group reduced its stake by 0.3%, while Balyasny Asset Management increased its position by 24,815%. GAMMA Investing also significantly boosted its holdings, indicating divergent views among large investors. Short interest in Saia rose by 9.52% in recent weeks, signaling growing bearish sentiment despite the recent price rally.

A backtest of a strategy buying the top 500 most actively traded stocks and holding them for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a total profit of $2,385.14 as of the latest data. The strategy showed moderate returns with periodic fluctuations, underscoring the volatility of high-volume trading approaches.