A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) vs Saia, Inc. (SAIA)

A side-by-side comparison of A. O. Smith Corporation and Saia, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAOS vs SAIA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
AOS +45.2% (+3.8%/yr)SAIA +991.5% (+27.0%/yr)SAIA compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$145$1,092
AOS SAIA

AOS vs SAIA: by the numbers

  • SAIA is the larger company ($9.11B vs $8.40B market cap).
  • AOS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.51 vs 32.05 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • AOS converts more revenue to profit (13.15% vs 8.19% net margin).
  • SAIA grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.00% vs 3.37% CAGR).
  • AOS pays a dividend (2.43% yield), while SAIA has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAOSSAIA
P/E ratio16.5132.05
Forward P/E15.8629.27
P/S ratio2.162.63
P/B ratio4.463.27
EV / EBITDA11.4414.48
FCF yield7.79%2.86%

Profitability

MetricAOSSAIA
Gross margin38.59%16.12%
Operating margin17.57%11.04%
Net margin13.15%8.19%
ROE27.16%10.19%
ROIC18.44%8.47%

Dividends

MetricAOSSAIA
Dividend yield2.43%N/A
Payout ratio37.31%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricAOSSAIA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.37%11.00%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.52%12.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.38%-18.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.46%6.15%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AOS or SAIA?
AOS has the lower trailing P/E: AOS trades at 16.51 and SAIA at 32.05. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AOS or SAIA?
Over the past five years, SAIA grew revenue faster — AOS at a 3.37% CAGR versus SAIA at 11.00%.
Does AOS or SAIA pay a bigger dividend?
AOS pays a dividend (2.43% yield), while SAIA has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is AOS or SAIA more profitable?
AOS runs the higher net margin — AOS at 13.15% versus SAIA at 8.19%.
How have AOS and SAIA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AOS delivered 3.79% and SAIA delivered 26.90% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 3, 2026.