Saia Inc (SAIA)

Return on total capital

		Dec 31, 2024	Sep 30, 2024	Jun 30, 2024	Mar 31, 2024	Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) (ttm)	US$ in thousands	484,139	499,198	504,728	488,431	468,762	446,153	443,739	467,231	470,659	474,407	452,223	390,354	335,985	289,490	238,994	192,071	181,455	157,958	147,730	162,604
Long-term debt	US$ in thousands	6,300	191,800	176,500	83,800	16,100	18,500	21,500	26,700	31,200	34,800	39,300	44,800	50,800	55,400	61,300	66,200	71,200	121,100	161,100	236,000
Total stockholders’ equity	US$ in thousands	2,311,270	2,231,480	2,136,090	2,028,940	1,941,490	1,849,460	1,746,220	1,650,940	1,579,340	1,506,480	1,403,760	1,291,490	1,220,330	1,144,730	1,063,160	997,618	961,288	918,466	875,090	843,387
Return on total capital		20.89%	20.60%	21.83%	23.12%	23.95%	23.88%	25.10%	27.85%	29.22%	30.78%	31.34%	29.21%	26.43%	24.12%	21.25%	18.05%	17.57%	15.19%	14.26%	15.06%

December 31, 2024 calculation

Return on total capital = EBIT (ttm) ÷ (Long-term debt + Total stockholders’ equity)
= $484,139K ÷ ($6,300K + $2,311,270K)
= 20.89%

Saia Inc's return on total capital has shown a generally positive trend over the periods mentioned. The return on total capital increased from 15.06% in March 2020 to a peak of 31.34% in June 2022, indicating improving efficiency in generating profits from the total capital employed.

However, after reaching the peak in June 2022, the return on total capital started to decline, and by December 2024, it decreased to 20.89%. This declining trend suggests a possible decrease in profitability relative to the total capital invested.

Overall, the company has demonstrated capacity in efficiently utilizing its total capital to generate returns, but monitoring the trend and identifying factors influencing the recent decline would be crucial for assessing the company's financial performance and sustainability in the future.