Wabtec Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

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, April 22, 2026 – Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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.

2026 Financial Guidance

  • Wabtec raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance range to $10.25 - $10.65, raising it $0.20 at the midpoint, or up 16.5%.
  • Wabtec continues to expect revenues to be between $12.19 billion to 12.49 billion, up 10.5% at the midpoint.

Forecasted GAAP Earnings Reconciliation

Wabtec is not presenting a quantitative reconciliation of our forecasted GAAP earnings per diluted share to forecasted adjusted earnings per diluted share because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort the impact and timing of restructuring-related and other charges, including acquisition-related expenses and the outcome of certain regulatory, legal and tax matters. The financial impact of these items is uncertain and is dependent on various factors, including timing, and could be material to our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Conference Call Information

Wabtec will host a call with analysts and investors at 8:30 a.m. ET, today.  To listen via webcast, go to Wabtec’s website at www.WabtecCorp.com and click on “Events & Presentations” in the “Investor Relations” section.  Also, an audio replay of the call will be available by calling 1-855-669-9658 or 1-412-317-0088 (access code: 4354537).

About Wabtec

Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations. The Company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for the freight and transit rail industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets. Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 155 years and has a vision to achieve a zero-emission rail system in the U.S. and worldwide. Visit Wabtec’s website at www.wabteccorp.com.

Information about non-GAAP Financial Information and Forward-Looking Statements

Wabtec’s earnings release and 2026 financial guidance mentions certain non-GAAP financial performance measures, including adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating expenses, adjusted operating margin, adjusted gross margin, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted income from operations, adjusted interest and other expense, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted share and operating cash flow conversion. Wabtec defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is further adjusted by restructuring costs. Wabtec defines operating cash flow conversion as net cash provided by operating activities divided by net income plus depreciation and amortization including deferred debt cost amortization. While Wabtec believes these are useful supplemental measures for investors, they are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Investors should not consider non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operations, or any other items calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this release have inherent material limitations as performance measures because they add back certain expenses incurred by the Company to GAAP financial measures, resulting in those expenses not being taken into account in the applicable non-GAAP financial measure. Because not all companies use identical calculations, Wabtec’s presentation of non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.  Included in this release are reconciliation tables that provide details about how adjusted results relate to GAAP results.

This communication contains “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than historical facts, including statements regarding Wabtec’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; Wabtec’s expectations about future sales, earnings and cash conversion; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions, including the impacts of significant recent shifts in trade policies (including the actual or threatened imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariff measures) as well as tax programs, inflation, supply chain disruptions, foreign currency exchange and industry consolidation and market reactions to these factors; (2) changes in the financial condition or operating strategies of Wabtec’s customers; (3) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from acquisitions and potential failure to realize synergies and other anticipated benefits of acquisitions, including as a result of integrating acquired targets into Wabtec; (4) inability to retain and hire key personnel; (5) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (6) changes in the expected timing of projects; (7) a decrease in freight or passenger rail traffic; (8) an increase in manufacturing costs; (9) actions by third parties, including government agencies; (10) the impacts of epidemics, pandemics or similar public health crises on the global economy and, in particular, our customers, suppliers and end-markets, (11) potential disruptions, instability and volatility in global markets as a result of global military action, acts of terrorism or armed conflict, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; (12) cybersecurity and data protection risks and (13) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Wabtec’s reports filed with the SEC, including Wabtec’s annual report on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Wabtec does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.

WABTEC CONTACTS

Media Inquiries
Tim Bader
Tim [dot] Bader [at] wabtec [dot] com (Tim[dot]Bader[at]wabtec[dot]com)
682.319.7925

Investor Inquiries
Kyra Yates
Kyra [dot] Yates [at] wabtec [dot] com (Kyra[dot]Yates[at]wabtec[dot]com)
817.349.2735