EME vs. SAIA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 6, 2025

Here’s a clear look at EME and SAIA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	EME	SAIA
Company Name	EMCOR Group, Inc.	Saia, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Construction & Engineering	Ground Transportation
Market Capitalization	29.29 billion USD	7.92 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 10, 1995	September 11, 2002
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of EME 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.

EME vs. SAIA: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	EME	SAIA
5-Day Price Return	2.15%	0.94%
13-Week Price Return	19.59%	0.89%
26-Week Price Return	77.04%	-14.88%
52-Week Price Return	52.23%	-30.86%
Month-to-Date Return	0.75%	-0.65%
Year-to-Date Return	44.17%	-34.74%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.44M	0.48M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.53M	0.62M
3-Month Volatility	28.48%	46.56%
Beta	1.18	2.13

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

EME

37.80%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 26.79%
Q3: 16.47%
Median: 10.66%
Q1: 8.46%
Min: -1.86%

EME’s Return on Equity of 37.80% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

SAIA

12.42%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 23.35%
Q3: 13.74%
Median: 9.05%
Q1: 6.86%
Min: 1.73%

SAIA’s Return on Equity of 12.42% is on par with the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

EME

7.07%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 11.67%
Q3: 6.13%
Median: 3.82%
Q1: 2.31%
Min: -2.77%

A Net Profit Margin of 7.07% places EME in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

SAIA

8.96%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 32.19%
Q3: 17.08%
Median: 7.19%
Q1: 4.45%
Min: -5.54%

SAIA’s Net Profit Margin of 8.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

EME

9.50%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 17.78%
Q3: 9.61%
Median: 6.19%
Q1: 3.73%
Min: -1.78%

EME’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.50% is around the midpoint for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SAIA

12.25%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 42.90%
Q3: 23.80%
Median: 10.93%
Q1: 7.06%
Min: -12.94%

SAIA’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.25% is around the midpoint for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	EME	SAIA
Return on Equity (TTM)	37.80%	12.42%
Return on Assets (TTM)	14.03%	8.88%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	7.07%	8.96%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	9.50%	12.25%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	19.49%	72.75%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

EME

1.18

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 2.17
Q3: 1.50
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.00
Min: 0.65

EME’s Current Ratio of 1.18 aligns with the median group of the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SAIA

1.49

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.00
Q3: 1.31
Median: 0.98
Q1: 0.74
Min: 0.35

SAIA’s Current Ratio of 1.49 is in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

EME

0.08

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 2.37
Q3: 1.24
Median: 0.62
Q1: 0.31
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, EME’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

SAIA

0.13

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.48
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, SAIA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

EME

490.27

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 36.37
Q3: 17.88
Median: 8.20
Q1: 4.98
Min: -6.49

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 490.27, EME demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

SAIA

61.40

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 59.80
Q3: 25.78
Median: 8.23
Q1: 2.52
Min: -24.57

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 61.40, SAIA demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	EME	SAIA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.18	1.49
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.13	1.34
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.08	0.13
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	490.27	61.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

EME vs. SAIA: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

EME vs. SAIA: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

EME

0.16%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 5.80%
Q3: 3.33%
Median: 2.22%
Q1: 0.21%
Min: 0.00%

EME’s Dividend Yield of 0.16% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

SAIA

0.00%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 5.29%
Q3: 2.57%
Median: 1.59%
Q1: 0.71%
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.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

EME

4.14%

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 139.17%
Q3: 74.39%
Median: 51.48%
Q1: 15.67%
Min: 0.00%

EME’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.14% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SAIA

0.00%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 149.12%
Q3: 75.08%
Median: 41.35%
Q1: 16.42%
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.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	EME	SAIA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.16%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	4.14%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

EME

26.58

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 41.00
Q3: 26.91
Median: 16.02
Q1: 13.49
Min: 1.65

EME’s P/E Ratio of 26.58 is within the middle range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

SAIA

27.52

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 39.04
Q3: 24.45
Median: 17.51
Q1: 12.92
Min: 5.87

A P/E Ratio of 27.52 places SAIA in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

EME

1.88

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 2.93
Q3: 1.65
Median: 0.71
Q1: 0.45
Min: 0.11

EME’s P/S Ratio of 1.88 is in the upper echelon for the Construction & Engineering industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

SAIA

2.47

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.82
Q3: 2.22
Median: 1.41
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.24

SAIA’s P/S Ratio of 2.47 is in the upper echelon for the Ground Transportation industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

EME

7.85

Construction & Engineering Industry

Max: 7.96
Q3: 4.06
Median: 1.98
Q1: 1.23
Min: 0.24

EME’s P/B Ratio of 7.85 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

SAIA

3.00

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 5.27
Q3: 3.03
Median: 1.40
Q1: 1.18
Min: 0.67

SAIA’s P/B Ratio of 3.00 is within the conventional range for the Ground Transportation industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

EME vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction & Engineering and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	EME	SAIA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	26.58	27.52
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.88	2.47
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	7.85	3.00
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	24.31	54.23