Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twelve analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $289.8182.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Wabtec from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 14th. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $318.00 target price on shares of Wabtec in a report on Monday, April 27th. Stephens upped their target price on shares of Wabtec from $230.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Wabtec from $283.00 to $292.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Wabtec from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 10th.

Wabtec Price Performance

Wabtec stock opened at $257.00 on Friday. Wabtec has a 52 week low of $184.26 and a 52 week high of $275.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $256.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $237.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.61 billion, a PE ratio of 36.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.97.

Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The transportation company reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.62 by $0.09. Wabtec had a net margin of 10.52% and a return on equity of 14.52%. The business had revenue of $2.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.28 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Wabtec has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.250-10.650 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Wabtec will post 10.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wabtec Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 22nd will be issued a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 22nd. Wabtec’s dividend payout ratio is 17.54%.

Wabtec declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, February 11th that permits the company to repurchase $1.20 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the transportation company to purchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Wabtec news, EVP Gina Trombley sold 4,013 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $241.87, for a total value of $970,624.31. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 13,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,347,722.67. This represents a 22.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO John A. Olin sold 11,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.30, for a total transaction of $2,896,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 60,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,926,227.10. This trade represents a 15.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 87,277 shares of company stock worth $23,216,740 in the last 90 days. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wabtec during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Wabtec by 125.9% during the 4th quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 131 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wabtec by 122.0% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 131 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the period. McMillan Office Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Wabtec during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Wabtec during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. 91.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wabtec Company Profile

Wabtec Corporation (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation) is a global provider of equipment, systems and services for the rail industry. The company supplies products and solutions to freight railroads, transit agencies and other industrial operators, focusing on technologies that improve the performance, safety and efficiency of locomotives and rail networks. Wabtec’s business spans new equipment manufacturing, aftermarket parts and services, and digital and control systems for rail operations.

Product and service offerings include locomotive systems and components, braking and air systems, propulsion and traction equipment, signaling and control technologies, and a range of aftermarket services such as maintenance, remanufacturing, parts distribution and fleet modernization.