Core Insights - Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) has a market cap of $34.2 billion and provides technology-based solutions for the freight rail and passenger transit industries [1] - Analysts forecast an adjusted EPS of $2.27 for fiscal Q3 2025, representing a 13.5% increase from the previous year [2] - For fiscal 2025, an adjusted EPS of $8.89 is expected, indicating a 17.6% growth from $7.56 in fiscal 2024 [3] Financial Performance - Wabtec's shares have increased by 10.9% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 17.8% gain and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 14.7% return [4] - Despite reporting a better-than-expected Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.27, shares fell by 6.4% due to revenue of $2.71 billion missing estimates and a decline in Freight segment sales [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view on WAB stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating from 12 analysts, including seven "Strong Buy" and five "Hold" recommendations [6] - The average analyst price target for Wabtec is $222.60, suggesting a potential upside of 11.3% from current levels [6]

Core Viewpoint - Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Ratings - The Zacks rating system is primarily based on a company's changing earnings picture, tracking the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS from sell-side analysts [2]. - The correlation between earnings estimate revisions and stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system valuable for investors, as it provides a clearer picture than subjective Wall Street analyst ratings [3][4]. Business Outlook - Rising earnings estimates and the Zacks rating upgrade for WAB indicate an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investors should respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, WAB is expected to earn $8.89 per share, with a 1.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of WAB to a Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Key Takeaways Wabtec signed a $4.2B multi-year locomotive deal with Kazakhstan's national railway KTZ.This deal boosts WAB's competitive position as a rail technology partner and innovator in the industry.Through this deal, WAB aims to offer Evolution Series locomotives and long-term maintenance services to KTZ.Wabtec Corporation(WAB) is strengthening its operations through strategic agreements. To this end, Wabtec has inked a multi-year locomotive deal worth $4.2 billion with National Company Kazakhstan Te ...

Wabtec has unveiled plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Barton, as part of its strategy to increase production capacity and consolidate core activities in the UK rail sector. The 7,300m² expansion is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will create 150 skilled jobs in the region. The Barton site will accommodate up to 500 employees upon completion and support several product lines supplying components to rail operators and manufacturers across the UK. Lichfield MP Dave ...

Group 1 - Wabtec's shares increased by 4.9% to $197.96, following a higher-than-average trading volume, contrasting with a 3.6% loss over the past four weeks [1][2] - The stock's recent rise is linked to an agreement with Kazakhstan's national railway for Evolution Series locomotives and long-term service support [2] - Wabtec is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.27 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 13.5%, with revenues projected at $2.9 billion, up 8.8% from the previous year [2] Group 2 - The consensus EPS estimate for Wabtec has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without earnings estimate revisions [4] - Wabtec holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), similar to Herc Holdings, which also has a Zacks Rank of 3 and reported a 4.5% increase in its stock price [5][6] - Herc Holdings' EPS estimate for the upcoming report is $2.23, representing a significant year-over-year decline of 48.7% [6]

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) announced today a landmark agreement with National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway of Kazakhstan, to deliver Evolution Series locomotives and provide long-term service support. The multi-year order, valued at $4.2 billion, marks the largest locomotive agreement in Wabtec's history. "For over two decades, our partnership with KTZ has been critical in transforming Kazakhstan's rail industry,†said Rafael Santan. ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry is facing a challenging macroeconomic environment characterized by persistent inflation, tariff-related tensions, and supply-chain disruptions, alongside geopolitical issues [1][5]. Industry Overview - The industry encompasses companies that provide equipment financing, leasing, and supply-chain management services, including aircraft, railcar, and intermodal container lessors. It also includes logistics and transportation solutions for a diverse customer base, primarily in automotive, electronics, transportation, grocery, lumber, food service, and home furnishing sectors [3]. Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - Companies like Wabtec Corporation and Ryder System are noted for their shareholder-friendly initiatives, such as dividend payouts and share buybacks, indicating strong financial health. Ryder recently approved a 12% dividend increase, raising its quarterly cash dividend to 91 cents per share, while Wabtec announced a 25% increase, raising its quarterly cash dividend from 20 cents to 25 cents [2][4]. Economic Challenges - The industry is grappling with ongoing tariff tensions and inflation, which contribute to economic uncertainty and may hinder stock performance. Supply-chain disruptions and rising operating costs are also limiting growth potential [5][6]. Industry Ranking and Performance - The Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 75, placing it in the top 31% of over 250 Zacks industries. However, it has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 and the broader sector over the past year, declining 18.4% against the S&P 500's increase of 18.7% [7][9][10]. Current Valuation - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.99X, which is lower than the S&P 500's 23.52X and the sector's 13.84X. Historically, the industry has traded between 8.42X and 15.65X over the past five years [13]. Notable Companies to Watch - **Wabtec Corporation**: Focused on technology-based locomotives and services, Wabtec has shown strong earnings performance, with a 17.6% expected earnings growth rate for 2025 [17][19]. - **Ryder System**: A logistics and transportation company with a long history of dividend payments, Ryder has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.3% for 2025 [22][23]. - **The Greenbrier Companies**: Specializing in railroad freight car equipment, Greenbrier has a notable earnings surprise history and an expected earnings growth rate of 33.1% for 2025 [26][28].

Core Insights - Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) is a leading provider of technology-based solutions for the freight rail and passenger transit industries, with a market capitalization of $32.3 billion [1][2] - The company has over 150 years of expertise in rail technology and is recognized for its diverse product portfolio and global reach, contributing to the industry's shift towards cleaner and smarter transportation [2] Financial Performance - WAB's shares have decreased by 12.6% from their 52-week high of $216.10, reached on July 8, and have declined 7.4% over the past three months, underperforming the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLI) 6.6% return [3][4] - Year-to-date, WAB shares are down slightly, lagging behind XLI's 15.4% increase, while over the past 52 weeks, WAB has gained 12.6%, compared to XLI's 16.5% rise [4] - Following a mixed Q2 earnings report, WAB shares fell 6.4% on July 24; the adjusted EPS of $2.27 grew 15.8% year-over-year, exceeding consensus estimates, but revenue increased only 2.3% to $2.7 billion, missing analyst expectations by 2.2% [5]

On May 8, I wrote my first analysis of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (NYSE: WAB ), the company more commonly known as Wabtec. The company had recently announced positive Q1 2025 results that included anI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value. The best opportunities for profits on individual ...

Core Insights - Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) reported Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $2.27, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.18, marking a 15.8% year-over-year increase driven by higher sales, operating margin expansion, and share repurchases [1][9] - Revenues for the quarter were $2.71 billion, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.77 billion, but reflecting a 2.3% year-over-year growth due to increased sales in the Transit segment, offset by lower Equipment sales [2][9] Financial Performance - WAB raised its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $8.55 to $9.15 from the previous range of $8.35 to $8.95, supported by strong first-half performance, mergers and acquisitions, and prudent cost management [3] - The company also increased its 2025 revenue guidance to $10.925 billion to $11.225 billion from $10.725 billion to $11.025 billion, primarily due to the acquisition of Evident Inspection Technologies Division [4] Segment Performance - The Freight segment reported net sales of $1.91 billion, a slight decline of 0.1% year-over-year, impacted by lower locomotive deliveries due to a supplied part issue, although service sales increased by 6% [5][6] - The Transit segment saw net sales grow by 8.7% year-over-year to $787 million, with an adjusted operating margin increase to 15.2% from 12.7% in the same quarter of 2024 [6] Operational Details - Total operating expenses rose by $22 million year-over-year to $466 million, with the operating ratio increasing to 17.2% from 16.8% [7] - WAB ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.49 billion, a significant increase from $698 million at the end of the previous quarter, while long-term debt rose to $4.78 billion from $3.50 billion [7] Shareholder Returns - During the quarter, WAB paid $44 million in dividends and repurchased shares worth $50 million [8]