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

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GE	SAIA
Company Name	GE Aerospace	Saia, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Industrial Conglomerates	Ground Transportation
Market Capitalization	282.54 billion USD	8.53 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	September 11, 2002
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GE 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GE	SAIA
5-Day Price Return	-1.21%	8.29%
13-Week Price Return	13.24%	19.17%
26-Week Price Return	27.87%	-36.58%
52-Week Price Return	55.88%	-19.43%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.71%	5.97%
Year-to-Date Return	59.75%	-29.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.18M	0.54M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.09M	0.74M
3-Month Volatility	23.66%	46.75%
Beta	1.53	2.04

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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: 22.11%
Q3: 13.84%
Median: 9.66%
Q1: 7.55%
Min: 0.36%

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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

SAIA

8.96%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 32.20%
Q3: 18.59%
Median: 7.11%
Q1: 4.13%
Min: -10.38%

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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SAIA

12.25%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 41.31%
Q3: 23.16%
Median: 11.33%
Q1: 6.82%
Min: -12.08%

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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GE	SAIA
Return on Equity (TTM)	40.51%	12.42%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.22%	8.88%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.64%	8.96%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.53%	12.25%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.97%	72.75%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

SAIA

1.49

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.03
Q3: 1.26
Median: 0.89
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.38

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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

SAIA

0.13

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.47
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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SAIA

61.40

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 51.07
Q3: 22.54
Median: 7.94
Q1: 2.72
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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GE	SAIA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	1.49
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	1.34
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	0.13
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.01	61.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

GE 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

GE 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)

GE

0.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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: 5.44%
Q3: 2.49%
Median: 1.53%
Q1: 0.39%
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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SAIA

0.00%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 137.07%
Q3: 74.71%
Median: 41.16%
Q1: 15.12%
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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GE	SAIA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.46%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	16.78%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GE

36.39

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

A P/E Ratio of 36.39 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

SAIA

27.43

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 42.59
Q3: 24.86
Median: 16.38
Q1: 12.79
Min: 4.37

A P/E Ratio of 27.43 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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GE

6.78

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

SAIA

2.46

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.02
Q3: 2.20
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.22

SAIA’s P/S Ratio of 2.46 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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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

3.00

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.95
Q3: 2.78
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.64

SAIA’s P/B Ratio of 3.00 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation 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.

GE vs. SAIA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GE	SAIA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	36.39	27.43
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.78	2.46
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.26	3.00
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	51.39	54.06