Here's Why Investors Should Bet on Wabtec Stock Right Now

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies WAB, operating as Wabtec Corporation, is benefiting from robust demand driving backlog growth. Moreover, shareholder-friendly initiatives are further boosting the company’s prospects. Due to these tailwinds, WAB shares have performed impressively on the bourse. If you have not taken advantage of its share price appreciation yet, it’s time to do so.Let’s delve deeper.WAB’s Northward Earnings Estimate Revision: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has been revised upward by 1.01% over the past 60 days for the current quarter. For the second quarter of 2025, the consensus mark for earnings per share has moved 1.42% north in the same time frame. The favorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ confidence in the stock.Robust Price Performance: A look at the company’s price trend reveals that its shares have risen 17.4% over the past year, surpassing the  Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry’s 31.2% decline.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchPositive Earnings Surprise History: Wabtec has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company's earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once in the remaining quarter, delivering an average surprise of 9.2%.Solid Zacks Rank: WAB currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).Growth Factors: Strong market demand continues to fuel Wabtec’s backlog growth, signaling healthy revenue visibility and customer confidence. The company increased its 12-month backlog by 3%, adding $224 million year over year, which reflects solid customer commitments. It also expanded its total backlog by 1.2%, highlighting positive momentum in order intake. Moreover, Wabtec grew its multi-year backlog by $273 million, underscoring confidence in its long-term business outlook. Excluding foreign currency impacts, the 12-month backlog rose 5.5%, and the multi-year backlog increased 3.6%, further strengthening Wabtec’s market position and growth trajectory.Wabtec's commitment to its shareholders is commendable, with consistent returns through dividends and share repurchases. In 2021, the company paid $92 million in dividends and repurchased $300 million in shares. These figures grew to $111 million and $473 million in 2022 and $123 million and $409 million in 2023, respectively. In 2024, WAB returned $1.2 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Additionally, the company approved a 25% dividend increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, raising it to 25 cents per share, effective March 7, 2025.Other Stocks to ConsiderInvestors interested in the Transportation sector may also consider Ryanair RYAAY and Expeditors International of Washington EXPD.Ryanair currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.RYAAY has an expected earnings growth rate of 39.7% for the next quarter of 2025. The company has a mixed earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, delivering an average surprise of 44.5%.Expeditors International of Washington carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.The company has an encouraging track record regarding earnings surprise, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and meeting once. The average surprise was 11.6%.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ryanair Holdings PLC (RYAAY): Free Stock Analysis Report Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD): Free Stock Analysis Report Wabtec (WAB): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks