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Freightcar America Inc (RAIL)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
01/24/2025: RAIL (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 9.68% | Avg. Invested days 26 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 117.41M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 14.25 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 14.25 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 191472 | Beta 2.09 | 52 Weeks Range 3.02 - 16.10 | Updated Date 03/27/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 3.02 - 16.10 | Updated Date 03/27/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -3.02 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-03-17 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.045 | Actual 0.21 |
Profitability
Profit Margin -13.55% | Operating Margin (TTM) 8.26% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 8.72% | Return on Equity (TTM) -8.83% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE 8.55 | Enterprise Value 231956045 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.21 |
Enterprise Value 231956045 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.21 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.41 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 19.21 | Shares Outstanding 19060400 | Shares Floating 14093258 |
Shares Outstanding 19060400 | Shares Floating 14093258 | ||
Percent Insiders 26.79 | Percent Institutions 42.22 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 5 | Target Price 14.88 | Buy - | Strong Buy 1 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 1 | ||
Hold - | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Freightcar America Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
Freightcar America, Inc. was founded in 1901 as Johnstown America Corporation. The company evolved over time, focusing on designing and manufacturing various types of railroad freight cars. Significant milestones include expansions in manufacturing capacity and strategic acquisitions.
Core Business Areas
- Manufacturing: The company manufactures a wide range of freight cars, including gondolas, hoppers, intermodal flat cars, and boxcars.
- Services: Freightcar America also offers repair and maintenance services for freight cars.
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team consists of the CEO, CFO, and other key executives. The organizational structure is typical of a manufacturing company, with departments focusing on engineering, manufacturing, sales, and finance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Gondola Cars: Gondola cars are open-top railcars used for hauling bulk commodities like coal, ore, and scrap metal. Market share data for specific car types is difficult to obtain publicly, but Freightcar America competes with Trinity Industries and Greenbrier Companies in this space.
- Hopper Cars: Hopper cars are used to transport bulk materials such as grain, coal, and sand. Similar to gondolas, market share data is not readily available. Major competitors are Trinity Industries and Greenbrier Companies.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The freight car manufacturing industry is cyclical and depends on the overall health of the economy, freight demand, and railroad investment. Factors like government regulations and fuel prices also play a role.
Positioning
Freightcar America is a significant player in the North American freight car market, competing with larger manufacturers. Their competitive advantage is in their engineering capabilities and customer relationships.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market is estimated to be in the billions of dollars annually. Freightcar America's positioning depends on its ability to secure contracts and adapt to market demands.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Engineering Expertise
- Customer Relationships
- Manufacturing Capabilities
Weaknesses
- Cyclical Business
- Reliance on North American Market
- Smaller Scale Compared to Major Competitors
Opportunities
- Increased Freight Demand
- Replacement of Aging Fleet
- Expansion into New Markets
Threats
- Economic Downturns
- Increased Competition
- Changes in Government Regulations
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Trinity Industries (TRN)
- Greenbrier Companies (GBX)
- National Steel Car
Competitive Landscape
Freightcar America faces stiff competition from larger, more diversified manufacturers. Their ability to differentiate through engineering and customer service is crucial for success.
Major Acquisitions
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been inconsistent due to industry cycles and company-specific challenges. Look at revenue and earnings growth over the past 5-10 years for insight.
Future Projections: Future growth depends on freight demand, railroad investment, and Freightcar America's ability to win contracts. Analyst estimates can be found on financial websites.
Recent Initiatives: Recent strategic initiatives should be researched in company press releases and investor presentations.
Summary
Freightcar America operates in a highly cyclical industry and has faced financial challenges, indicated by lack of dividend payments. While it has strengths in engineering and customer relationships, it is smaller compared to its competitors. Future success depends on their ability to win contracts and adapt to industry dynamics, manage cost, and execute the company's strategic transformation.
Similar Companies
- TRN
- GBX
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings (SEC)
- Financial News Websites
- Industry Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market conditions and company performance can change rapidly. Consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Freightcar America Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Chicago, IL, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2005-04-06 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Nicholas J. Randall | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Railroads | Full time employees 2030 | Website https://freightcaramerica.com |
Full time employees 2030 | Website https://freightcaramerica.com |
FreightCar America, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in design, manufacture, and sale of railcars and railcar components for the transportation of bulk commodities and containerized freight products in the United States and Mexico. It operates in two segments, Manufacturing and Parts. The company offers a range of railcars, including open top hoppers, mill gondola cars, intermodal and non-intermodal flat cars, coal cars; bulk commodity cars covered hopper cars, coil steel cars, boxcars, woodchip hoppers, aluminum vehicle carriers, and articulated bulk container railcars. It also sells used railcars; rebuilds, converts, and leases railcars; and sells forged, cast, and fabricated parts for various railcars. The company's customers primarily include shippers, railroads, and financial institutions. FreightCar America, Inc. was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
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