Q4 Earnings Overview: Greenbrier (NYSE:GBX) and Other Companies in the Heavy Transportation Equipment Sector

Heavy Transportation Equipment Sector: Q4 Earnings Overview

Quarterly earnings reports often provide valuable insight into a company’s future trajectory. With the fourth quarter now concluded, let’s examine how Greenbrier (NYSE:GBX) and its industry peers performed.

Companies in the heavy transportation equipment sector are embracing automation and connected technologies to boost efficiency and gather actionable data. Many are also investing in electric vehicles and innovative mobility solutions to address environmental concerns, opening up new revenue streams. However, these businesses remain sensitive to broader economic trends—factors like interest rates can significantly influence demand for their products by affecting construction and transportation activity.

Sector Performance in Q4

Among the 11 heavy transportation equipment companies we monitor, the group delivered a robust fourth quarter. Collectively, their revenues surpassed analyst forecasts by 4.6%, and guidance for the upcoming quarter was generally in line with expectations.

Share prices have shown resilience, with the group’s stocks rising an average of 6% since the latest earnings announcements.

Greenbrier (NYSE:GBX)

Greenbrier, known for pioneering the double-decker railcar in the 1980s, supplies railcars and related services to the freight rail industry.

In Q4, Greenbrier posted revenue of $706.1 million, representing a 19.4% decline compared to the previous year. Despite the drop, results exceeded analyst estimates by 7.7%. The company also delivered strong beats on both earnings per share and adjusted operating income.

Following the report, Greenbrier’s stock has climbed 9% and is currently trading at $58.16.

Curious if Greenbrier is a good investment right now?

Top Performer: Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW)

Douglas Dynamics, which began by producing snowplows for early Jeep vehicles, now manufactures snow and ice removal equipment for roads and sidewalks.

The company reported $184.5 million in revenue for Q4, a 28.6% increase year-over-year, beating analyst expectations by 8.6%. Douglas Dynamics not only exceeded revenue forecasts but also delivered a strong beat on EBITDA.

Douglas Dynamics led its peer group in revenue growth and raised its full-year guidance more than any other. The market responded positively, with shares up 9.7% since the earnings release, currently priced at $46.78.

Interested in Douglas Dynamics?

Biggest Miss: Wabash (NYSE:WNC)

Wabash, whose origins trace back to building its first trailer on two sawhorses, now offers a range of products including semi-trailers, liquid transport containers, and truck bodies.

For the quarter, Wabash reported $321.5 million in revenue, a 22.9% decrease from the prior year, but still managed to edge past analyst estimates by 1%. Despite this, the company issued guidance for the next quarter that fell well short of expectations and missed significantly on adjusted operating income.

Wabash experienced the slowest revenue growth among its peers, and as a result, its stock has fallen 9.8% since the earnings report, now trading at $10.14.

Oshkosh (NYSE:OSK)

Oshkosh produces specialized vehicles for defense, emergency response, and commercial use, operating a variety of brands within these sectors.

In Q4, Oshkosh generated $2.69 billion in revenue, up 2.5% year-over-year and surpassing analyst projections by 2.6%. While the company beat revenue expectations, its full-year earnings per share guidance came in below forecasts.

Oshkosh’s stock has surged 17.7% since the earnings release and is currently valued at $172.08.

Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS)

Federal Signal, originally known for developing air raid and fallout sirens during the Cold War, now supplies safety and emergency equipment to government agencies, municipalities, and industrial clients.

The company reported $597.1 million in revenue for the quarter, a 26.5% increase year-over-year, beating analyst expectations by 9.5%. Federal Signal also delivered standout results on EBITDA and revenue, outperforming its peers in terms of analyst estimate beats.

Despite these strong results, Federal Signal’s share price has remained steady since the report and is currently at $117.80.

Looking for High-Quality Growth Stocks?

If you’re seeking companies with strong fundamentals and momentum, explore our list. These businesses are well-positioned for growth, regardless of the broader economic or political environment.

The StockStory analyst team—comprised of experienced professional investors—leverages quantitative analysis and automation to deliver timely, high-quality market insights.