Wabtec $WAB Stake Increased by Banco Santander S.A.

Banco Santander S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) by 23.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 143,509 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 27,245 shares during the quarter. Banco Santander S.A. owned 0.08% of Wabtec worth $28,769,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Colonial Trust Advisors boosted its position in Wabtec by 454.5% during the 2nd quarter. Colonial Trust Advisors now owns 122 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Piscataqua Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Wabtec by 12,800.0% during the third quarter. Piscataqua Savings Bank now owns 129 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the period. Motco boosted its holdings in shares of Wabtec by 6,600.0% during the third quarter. Motco now owns 134 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its position in Wabtec by 370.6% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 160 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, North Capital Inc. increased its stake in Wabtec by 18,900.0% in the 3rd quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 190 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 189 shares during the period. 91.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wabtec Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of WAB stock opened at $263.53 on Friday. Wabtec has a 12 month low of $151.81 and a 12 month high of $266.27. The company has a market cap of $44.94 billion, a PE ratio of 38.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The business’s 50 day moving average is $234.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $211.71.

Wabtec (NYSE:WAB) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The transportation company reported $2.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.02. Wabtec had a net margin of 10.48% and a return on equity of 14.12%. The business 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 firm earned $1.68 EPS. Wabtec’s quarterly revenue was up 14.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Wabtec has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.050-10.450 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Wabtec will post 8.54 EPS for the current year.

Wabtec Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This is a boost from Wabtec’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Wabtec’s dividend payout ratio is presently 18.16%.

Wabtec announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, February 11th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.20 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the transportation company to purchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on WAB shares. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Wabtec from $258.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price objective on shares of Wabtec in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Susquehanna set a $300.00 target price on Wabtec in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Wall Street Zen lowered Wabtec from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, February 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Wabtec from $215.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Wabtec presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $269.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Nalin Jain sold 7,936 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.09, for a total transaction of $2,095,818.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 6,364 shares in the company, valued at $1,680,668.76. This represents a 55.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Michael Fetsko sold 5,058 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.72, for a total value of $1,091,111.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 36,882 shares in the company, valued at $7,956,185.04. This trade represents a 12.06% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 39,061 shares of company stock valued at $9,583,454 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Wabtec 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.