PWR vs. SAIA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PWR and SAIA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | PWR | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Quanta Services, Inc. | Saia, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Construction & Engineering | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 66.08 billion USD | 8.59 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 12, 1998 | September 11, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PWR 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | PWR | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.37% | 9.70% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 16.05% | 6.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 75.94% | 0.76% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 44.21% | -24.11% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.01% | 7.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 40.31% | -29.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.90M | 0.53M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.06M | 0.62M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.03% | 47.67% |
| Beta | 1.15 | 2.13 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
PWR
13.09%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 26.79%
- Q3
- 16.47%
- Median
- 10.66%
- Q1
- 8.46%
- Min
- -1.86%
PWR’s Return on Equity of 13.09% is on par with the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
PWR
3.73%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.67%
- Q3
- 6.13%
- Median
- 3.82%
- Q1
- 2.31%
- Min
- -2.77%
PWR’s Net Profit Margin of 3.73% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
PWR
5.73%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.78%
- Q3
- 9.61%
- Median
- 6.19%
- Q1
- 3.73%
- Min
- -1.78%
PWR’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.73% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | PWR | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.09% | 12.42% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.08% | 8.88% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.73% | 8.96% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.73% | 12.25% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.04% | 72.75% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
PWR
1.37
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.50
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.65
PWR’s Current Ratio of 1.37 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
PWR
0.60
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
PWR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 is typical for the Construction & Engineering 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
- 1.48
- 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
PWR
10.76
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.37
- Q3
- 17.88
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 4.98
- Min
- -6.49
PWR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | PWR | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.37 | 1.49 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.24 | 1.34 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 10.76 | 61.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
PWR
0.09%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.80%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 2.22%
- Q1
- 0.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
PWR’s Dividend Yield of 0.09% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
PWR
5.92%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 74.39%
- Median
- 51.48%
- Q1
- 15.67%
- Min
- 0.00%
PWR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 5.92% 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | PWR | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.09% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 5.92% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
PWR
64.14
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 41.00
- Q3
- 26.91
- Median
- 16.02
- Q1
- 13.49
- Min
- 1.65
At 64.14, PWR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Construction & Engineering 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
29.53
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
A P/E Ratio of 29.53 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
PWR
2.39
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.11
PWR’s P/S Ratio of 2.39 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
2.65
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
SAIA’s P/S Ratio of 2.65 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
PWR
7.13
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 7.96
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.24
PWR’s P/B Ratio of 7.13 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | PWR | SAIA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 64.14 | 29.53 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.39 | 2.65 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.13 | 3.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 45.90 | 58.21 |