Advertisement
ODFL vs SAIA
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) vs. Saia, Inc. (SAIA) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both ODFL and SAIA operate in the less-than-truckload (LTL) trucking sector, providing freight transportation services with overlapping market exposure.
- ODFL has delivered stronger year-to-date stock performance compared to SAIA, with notable analyst price target increases in recent market activity.
- Upcoming second-quarter earnings releases for both companies (ODFL on July 29 and SAIA on July 30) represent key near-term catalysts influencing investor sentiment.
- ODFL recently raised its quarterly dividend, signaling management confidence amid a recovering freight environment.
- Relative performance highlights trade-offs in growth momentum versus valuation considerations within the transportation sector.
- Market positioning favors stability in pricing power and volume trends for both firms as broader economic indicators evolve.
Introduction
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) and Saia, Inc. (SAIA) represent two leading players in the less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation industry. This comparison examines their recent stock behavior, business fundamentals, and relative positioning amid evolving market conditions. Professional traders and investors focused on the transportation sector may find this analysis relevant for assessing diversification opportunities, momentum shifts, and sector-specific risks within a cyclical industry.
ODFL Overview and Recent Performance
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. provides less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services across North America. In recent market activity, the stock has shown resilience with year-to-date gains exceeding 48 percent, outperforming broader market benchmarks. Recent weeks have featured multiple analyst price target increases and rating adjustments, alongside the company's decision to raise its quarterly dividend. These developments reflect improved pricing dynamics and operational efficiency despite ongoing freight market softness. Sentiment has been supported by expectations for sequential volume improvements heading into earnings.
SAIA Overview and Recent Performance
Saia, Inc. specializes in less-than-truckload (LTL) and other transportation services primarily in the United States. The stock has recorded year-to-date advances of approximately 30 percent, accompanied by analyst optimism ahead of its second-quarter results. Recent market activity includes coverage from firms highlighting potential market share gains in an anticipated industry upcycle. Performance has been influenced by volume trends and pricing execution, with the upcoming earnings release serving as a focal point for sentiment evaluation.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron’s Trending AI Robots page showcases a curated selection of AI trading bots designed to navigate thousands of different tickers under varying market conditions. Tickeron maintains hundreds of AI Trading Bots, each employing distinct trading styles, strategies, timeframes, performances, statistics, and sets of tickers. Only the highest-performing and most suitable bots for prevailing conditions earn placement in the trending section. Available bots display ranges of historical win rates, return metrics, and risk parameters that can help users evaluate fit. The platform offers tools for diverse market participants seeking data-driven approaches. Explore the full selection at Trending AI Robots.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) and Saia, Inc. (SAIA) share core business models centered on less-than-truckload (LTL) freight hauling, exposing both to similar cyclical demand drivers and fuel cost sensitivities. Growth trajectories differ in recent periods, with ODFL demonstrating stronger relative momentum through higher year-to-date returns and dividend enhancements. SAIA positions itself for potential share gains in a recovering environment but trails in short-term performance metrics. Risk factors include volume fluctuations and competitive pressures from larger carriers for both, while sector exposure remains concentrated in transportation. Market sentiment appears more elevated for ODFL based on recent analyst activity, creating trade-offs in stability versus upside potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including stronger trend consistency in recent performance, dividend support, and positioning ahead of earnings, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to ODFL over SAIA. This assessment reflects relative stability and catalyst alignment rather than absolute outcomes, with both stocks subject to broader freight cycle dynamics.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ODFL is a StrongBuy and SAIA is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ODFL’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileSAIA’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- ODFL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- SAIA’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ODFL’s TA Score shows that 2 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SAIA’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ODFL’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
- SAIA’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
ODFL (@Trucking) experienced а -4.30% price change this week, while SAIA (@Trucking) price change was -7.47% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Trucking industry was -11.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -9.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was +28.80%.
Reported Earning Dates
ODFL is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
SAIA is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Trucking (-11.71% weekly)The trucking industry provides road transportation delivery and logistical services, including moving large quantities of raw materials, works in process, and finished goods —often from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used in the construction industry, as they transport large amounts of rocks, concrete, and other building materials used in construction. Trucks in the U.S. are responsible for the majority of freight movement over land, and therefore play an important role in the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries. The business could be affected by economic cycles, since it is closely linked with manufacturing, retail and construction. Some of the major trucking companies in the U.S. are Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., and XPO Logistics, Inc.
| ODFL | SAIA | ODFL / SAIA | |
| Capitalization | 44.2B | 9.34B | 473% |
| EBITDA | 1.71B | 603M | 283% |
| Gain YTD | 42.464 | 20.801 | 204% |
| P/E Ratio | 40.89 | 33.87 | 121% |
| Revenue | 5.46B | 3.25B | 168% |
| Total Cash | 288M | 39.2M | 735% |
| Total Debt | 40M | 262M | 15% |
ODFL | SAIA | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 67 | 51 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 94 Overvalued | 86 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 49 | 70 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 41 | 71 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 22 | 50 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 17 | 22 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
SAIA's Valuation (86) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as ODFL (94). This means that SAIA’s stock grew similarly to ODFL’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's Profit vs Risk Rating (49) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as SAIA (70). This means that ODFL’s stock grew similarly to SAIA’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's SMR Rating (41) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as SAIA (71). This means that ODFL’s stock grew similarly to SAIA’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's Price Growth Rating (22) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as SAIA (50). This means that ODFL’s stock grew similarly to SAIA’s over the last 12 months.
ODFL's P/E Growth Rating (17) in the Trucking industry is in the same range as SAIA (22). This means that ODFL’s stock grew similarly to SAIA’s over the last 12 months.
| ODFL | SAIA | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 77% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 86% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 76% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 75% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 18 days ago 72% | 17 days ago 80% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 71% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 89% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 80% |
Advertisement
SAIA and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SAIA has been closely correlated with ODFL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if SAIA jumps, then ODFL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To SAIA | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAIA | 100% | -3.79% | ||
| ODFL - SAIA | 83% Closely correlated | -1.54% | ||
| ARCB - SAIA | 76% Closely correlated | -5.35% | ||
| KNX - SAIA | 73% Closely correlated | +1.25% | ||
| CVLG - SAIA | 72% Closely correlated | -4.38% | ||
| HTLD - SAIA | 72% Closely correlated | -2.84% | ||
More | ||||