Merit Financial Group LLC Buys 2,311 Shares of Wabtec $WAB

Merit Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) by 33.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,254 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,311 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Wabtec were worth $1,975,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co raised its position in shares of Wabtec by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 47,924 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $9,607,000 after acquiring an additional 4,000 shares during the last quarter. Gibraltar Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Wabtec during the 3rd quarter valued at $5,801,000. 111 Capital bought a new stake in shares of Wabtec during the 3rd quarter valued at $949,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new stake in shares of Wabtec during the 3rd quarter valued at $842,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Wabtec by 809.6% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 152,297 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,508,000 after acquiring an additional 135,553 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.69% of the company’s stock.

Wabtec Trading Down 2.5%

Wabtec stock opened at $257.78 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $253.97 and a 200-day moving average of $227.77. Wabtec has a one year low of $168.82 and a one year high of $275.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The company has a market cap of $43.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.99.

Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The transportation company reported $2.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.02. Wabtec had a net margin of 10.48% and a return on equity of 14.12%. The company had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.68 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. Wabtec has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.050-10.450 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Wabtec will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wabtec Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. This is a positive change from Wabtec’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Wabtec’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.16%.

Wabtec announced that its Board of Directors 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 shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on WAB. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Wabtec from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 10th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price target on shares of Wabtec in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $290.00 price target (down from $300.00) on shares of Wabtec in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Wabtec from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 14th. Finally, Susquehanna set a $300.00 price target on shares of Wabtec in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $275.75.

Insider Activity at Wabtec

In other news, insider Rogerio Mendonca sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.21, for a total value of $924,735.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 10,101 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,668,785.21. This represents a 25.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, 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 transaction of $970,624.31. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 13,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,347,722.67. The trade was a 22.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 92,364 shares of company stock worth $24,522,522. Corporate insiders own 0.57% of the company’s stock.

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.