AXON vs. SAIA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AXON and SAIA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AXON’s market capitalization of 61.93 billion USD is substantially larger than SAIA’s 7.85 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
SAIA carries a higher beta at 2.00, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AXON (beta: 1.28) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | AXON | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | Saia, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Trucking |
| CEO | Patrick W. Smith | Frederick J. Holzgrefe III |
| Price | 795.48 USD | 294.79 USD |
| Market Cap | 61.93 billion USD | 7.85 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.28 | 2.00 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | June 19, 2001 | September 11, 2002 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AXON and SAIA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AXON’s Return on Equity of 14.86% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SAIA
14.21%
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 27.40%
- Q3
- 13.41%
- Median
- 6.54%
- Q1
- 1.91%
- Min
- -3.46%
In the upper quartile for the Trucking industry, SAIA’s Return on Equity of 14.21% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
AXON
0.68%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AXON’s Return on Invested Capital of 0.68% is in line with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
SAIA
10.76%
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 10.76%
- Q3
- 8.53%
- Median
- 3.70%
- Q1
- 1.79%
- Min
- -2.53%
In the upper quartile for the Trucking industry, SAIA’s Return on Invested Capital of 10.76% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.86% places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
SAIA
9.91%
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 4.81%
- Q3
- 4.61%
- Median
- 2.88%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- 0.60%
SAIA’s Net Profit Margin of 9.91% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Trucking industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
AXON
1.50%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AXON’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.50% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
SAIA
13.40%
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 13.40%
- Q3
- 8.09%
- Median
- 4.17%
- Q1
- 2.19%
- Min
- -1.98%
An Operating Profit Margin of 13.40% places SAIA in the upper quartile for the Trucking industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.86% | 14.21% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.44% | 9.54% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 0.68% | 10.76% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.86% | 9.91% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.50% | 13.40% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.44% | 18.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AXON
2.83
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AXON’s Current Ratio of 2.83 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
SAIA
1.43
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.88
SAIA’s Current Ratio of 1.43 aligns with the median group of the Trucking industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AXON
0.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
AXON’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
SAIA
0.18
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 0.63
- Q3
- 0.50
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trucking industry, SAIA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.18 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AXON
2.53
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
AXON’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
SAIA
34.28
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 34.42
- Q3
- 21.52
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -2.10
SAIA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 34.28 is in the upper quartile for the Trucking industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.83 | 1.43 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 2.62 | 1.43 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.80 | 0.18 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.34 | 0.12 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 4.16 | 0.61 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.53 | 34.28 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AXON and SAIA. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
SAIA
0.00%
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.69%
- Median
- 1.22%
- Q1
- 0.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAIA currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
SAIA
0.00%
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 195.49%
- Q3
- 55.74%
- Median
- 19.72%
- Q1
- 9.76%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAIA has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AXON
184.79
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
At 184.79, AXON’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
SAIA
24.52
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 48.87
- Q3
- 44.85
- Median
- 26.67
- Q1
- 17.49
- Min
- 8.11
SAIA’s P/E Ratio of 24.52 is within the middle range for the Trucking industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AXON
8.54
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
A Forward PEG Ratio of 8.54 places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
SAIA
1.22
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.80
- Q1
- 0.63
- Min
- 0.14
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Trucking industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AXON
27.81
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
With a P/S Ratio of 27.81, AXON trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
SAIA
2.42
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 1.13
- Q3
- 1.02
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.57
- Min
- 0.39
With a P/S Ratio of 2.42, SAIA trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Trucking industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AXON
23.93
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
At 23.93, AXON’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
SAIA
3.34
Trucking Industry
- Max
- 3.14
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.84
At 3.34, SAIA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Trucking industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 184.79 | 24.52 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 8.54 | 1.22 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 27.81 | 2.42 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.93 | 3.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 170.80 | -38.68 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 274.06 | 12.59 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 28.23 | 2.55 |