Saia (SAIA) vs ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Saia (SAIA) has outperformed ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO) over the past year, gaining 6.8% versus a gain of 5.6%. Over five years, SAIA leads with a +28.7% price change compared with -35.5% for ZTO. ZTO Express (Cayman) is the larger company by market cap ($15.07 billion vs $8.96 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, ZTO Express (Cayman) trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 23.6x for Saia). ZTO Express (Cayman) pays a dividend yielding 13.29%, while Saia does not currently pay one. ZTO Express (Cayman) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.5% versus 7.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | SAIA | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $336.75 | $20.15 |
| Market cap | $8.96B | $15.07B |
| 1-day change | -1.32% | +1.26% |
| YTD return | +3.13% | -3.54% |
| 1-year return | +6.78% | +5.61% |
| 5-year return | +28.75% | -35.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 32.50 | 10.83 |
| Forward P/E | 23.64 | 9.00 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.36 | $1.86 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 13.29% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.68 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.23B | $7.02B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.79% | +15.74% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $255.04M | $1.30B |
| Gross margin | — | 24.99% |
| Operating margin | 10.89% | 21.33% |
| Net margin | 7.89% | 18.49% |
| 52-week high | $494.71 | $26.20 |
| 52-week low | $249.32 | $18.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.93% | -23.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.95% | +37.97% |
| Average volume | 428.97K | 2.26M |
| Shares outstanding | 26.61M | 541.93M |
| Employees | 13,734 | 23,888 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Trucking Freight/Courier Services | Trucking Freight/Courier Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Saia trades at a higher earnings multiple (32.5x vs 10.8x trailing P/E).
- ZTO Express (Cayman) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (13.29% vs 0.00%).
- ZTO Express (Cayman) is more profitable, keeping 18.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.9 cents for Saia.
- ZTO Express (Cayman) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+15.74% vs +0.79%).
About Saia
SAIA stock →Saia, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a transportation company in North America. The company provides less-than-truckload services for shipments between 100 and 10,000 pounds.
Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 13,734 employees
About ZTO Express (Cayman)
ZTO stock →ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. provides express delivery and other value-added logistics services in the People's Republic of China.
Industrials · Trucking Freight/Courier Services · 23,888 employees
SAIA vs ZTO FAQ
Which is bigger, Saia or ZTO Express (Cayman)?
ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $15.07B compared with $8.96B for Saia (SAIA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SAIA or ZTO?
SAIA returned +6.78% over the past 12 months, compared with +5.61% for ZTO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SAIA or ZTO?
ZTO has the lower trailing P/E at 10.8, versus 32.5 for SAIA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Saia or ZTO Express (Cayman)?
ZTO Express (Cayman) pays a dividend yielding 13.29%, while Saia does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Saia and ZTO Express (Cayman) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Trucking Freight/Courier Services industry within the Industrials sector.