Press Release: Wabtec Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

Dow Jones
Apr 22

Strong Start with Backlog Expansion, Double Digit Sales & EPS Growth and Announces Increase in Full-Year EPS Guidance

   --  Sales Growth of 13.0% to $2.95 Billion Driven by Both the Freight and 
      Transit Segments 
   --  GAAP Operating Margin at 17.5%; Adjusted Operating Margin Up 0.2 pts to 
      21.9% 
   --  Strong Multi-year Backlog at $30.80 Billion; 12-month Backlog Growth at 
      12.8% 
   --  GAAP Earnings Per Share of $2.12, Up 12.8%; Adjusted Earnings Per Share 
      of $2.71, Up 18.9% 
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2026-- 

Wabtec Corporation $(WAB)$ today reported first quarter 2026 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.12, up 12.8% versus the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $2.71, up 18.9% versus the same quarter a year ago. First quarter sales were $2.95 billion and cash from operations was $199 million.

"Wabtec delivered a strong start to 2026, with solid first quarter execution across our businesses driving double digit sales and adjusted EPS growth," said Rafael Santana, Wabtec's President and CEO.

"During the quarter we secured significant wins across multiple businesses, executed integration plans for our recent acquisitions, advanced key innovation initiatives, and further strengthened our portfolio, reinforcing Wabtec's position as a leading industrial technology company.

"With a strong pipeline of opportunities that continues to strengthen our visibility, a resilient installed base, and a committed global team, we remain well positioned to deliver profitable growth and continue compounding long-term value for our shareholders."

2026 First Quarter Consolidated Results

 
Wabtec Corporation Consolidated Financial Results 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
$ in millions except earnings per share and 
percentages; margin change in percentage points 
(pts)                                                      First Quarter 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------------------- 
                                                       2026    2025     Change 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Net Sales                                            $2,950  $2,610     13.0 % 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 
GAAP Gross Margin                                    36.0 %  34.5 %    1.5 pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Adjusted Gross Margin                                36.9 %  34.6 %    2.3 pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
GAAP Operating Margin                                17.5 %  18.2 %  (0.7) pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Adjusted Operating Margin                            21.9 %  21.7 %    0.2 pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 
GAAP Diluted EPS                                      $2.12   $1.88     12.8 % 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Adjusted Diluted EPS                                  $2.71   $2.28     18.9 % 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 
Cash Flow from Operations                              $199    $191         $8 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Operating Cash Flow Conversion                         40 %    43 % 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 
   --  Sales increased 13.0% compared to the year-ago quarter driven by higher 
      sales in the Freight and Transit segments, which includes the 
      acquisitions of Inspection Technologies, Frauscher Sensor Technologies, 
      and Dellner Couplers. 
 
   --  GAAP operating margin was lower than the prior year at 17.5%, and 
      adjusted operating margin was modestly higher than the prior year at 
      21.9%. Both GAAP and adjusted operating margins benefited from strong 
      sales growth in the quarter. GAAP operating margins were impacted by the 
      exit of a low margin Digital project, restructuring costs, purchase 
      accounting adjustments, and transaction costs associated with recent 
      acquisitions. 
 
   --  GAAP EPS and adjusted EPS increased from the year-ago quarter primarily 
      due to higher sales, and non-operational benefits primarily related to 
      currency fluctuation and timing of tax expense. 

2026 First Quarter Freight Segment Results

 
Wabtec Corporation Freight Segment Financial Results 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Net sales $ in millions; margin change in 
percentage points (pts)                                    First Quarter 
---------------------------------------------------  ------------------------- 
                                                       2026    2025     Change 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Net Sales                                            $2,115  $1,901     11.3 % 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
GAAP Gross Margin                                    37.3 %  36.0 %    1.3 pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Adjusted Gross Margin                                38.3 %  36.2 %    2.1 pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
GAAP Operating Margin                                21.3 %  22.1 %  (0.8) pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
Adjusted Operating Margin                            26.0 %  25.7 %    0.3 pts 
---------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  --------- 
 
   --  Freight segment sales for the first quarter were up 11.3%. Equipment 
      sales were up 52.5% driven by higher locomotive deliveries, while 
      Services sales were down 17.3% due to lower modernization deliveries as 
      expected. Digital sales were up 75.7% driven by the acquisitions of 
      Inspection Technologies & Frauscher. 
 
   --  GAAP and adjusted operating margin benefited from gross margin 
      improvements which was partially offset by higher operating expenses as a 
      percentage of revenue. In addition, GAAP operating margin was impacted by 
      the exit of a low margin Digital project, restructuring costs, and 
      purchase accounting adjustments. 

2026 First Quarter Transit Segment Results

 
Wabtec Corporation Transit Segment Financial Results 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Net sales $ in millions; margin change in percentage 
points (pts)                                                First Quarter 
-----------------------------------------------------  ----------------------- 
                                                         2026    2025   Change 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------- 
Net Sales                                                $835    $709   17.8 % 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------- 
GAAP Gross Margin                                      32.7 %  30.3 %  2.4 pts 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------- 
Adjusted Gross Margin                                  33.2 %  30.4 %  2.8 pts 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------- 
GAAP Operating Margin                                  14.5 %  12.7 %  1.8 pts 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------- 
Adjusted Operating Margin                              16.6 %  14.6 %  2.0 pts 
-----------------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------- 
 
   --  Transit segment sales for the first quarter were up 17.8% driven by the 
      acquisition of Dellner, higher OE and aftermarket sales, and favorable 
      foreign currency exchange. Sales were up 11.0% on a constant currency 
      basis. 
 
   --  GAAP & Adjusted operating margins were up as a result of improved gross 
      margins which was partially offset by higher operating expenses as a 
      percent of revenue. 

Backlog

 
Wabtec Corporation Consolidated Backlog Comparison 
--------------------------------------------------------- 
Backlog $ in millions                 March 31, 
                             ---------------------------- 
                                  2026      2025   Change 
---------------------------  ---------  --------  ------- 
12-Month Backlog                $9,247    $8,196   12.8 % 
---------------------------  ---------  --------  ------- 
Total Backlog                  $30,802   $22,302   38.1 % 
---------------------------  ---------  --------  ------- 
 

The Company's multi-year backlog continues to provide strong visibility. At March 31, 2026, the 12-month backlog was $1.05 billion higher than the prior year period. At March 31, 2026, the multi-year backlog was $8.50 billion higher than the prior year period, and excluding foreign currency exchange, the multi-year backlog was $8.07 billion higher, up 36.2%.

Cash Flow and Liquidity Summary

   --  During the first quarter, the Company generated cash from operations of 
      $199 million versus $191 million in the year ago period. The increase in 
      cash was driven by higher net income. 
 
   --  At the end of the quarter, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and 
      restricted cash of $0.53 billion and total debt of $6.54 billion. At 
      March 31, 2026, the Company's total available liquidity was $2.09 billion, 
      which includes $0.52 billion in cash and cash equivalents plus $1.57 
      billion available under current credit facilities. 
 
   --  During the quarter, the Company repurchased $242 million of Wabtec 
      shares and paid $53 million in dividends. 

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

April 22, 2026 06:30 ET (10:30 GMT)

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