Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. (NYSE:WAB) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. (NYSE:WAB - Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $206.33.

WAB has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. KeyCorp boosted their price target on Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $220.00 target price on shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies from $225.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Stock Up 2.3 %

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies stock traded up $4.12 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $185.31. The stock had a trading volume of 1,676,342 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,175,563. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.27. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies has a 1-year low of $139.12 and a 1-year high of $210.88. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $196.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $188.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 1.30.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (NYSE:WAB - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The transportation company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.74 by ($0.06). Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies had a return on equity of 12.78% and a net margin of 10.17%. As a group, analysts expect that Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies will post 8.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. This is a boost from Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies's payout ratio is 16.58%.

Insider Activity

In other Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies news, CEO Rafael Santana sold 886 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.34, for a total value of $161,553.24. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 176,295 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,145,630.30. This represents a 0.50 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WAB. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $52,000. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $110,000. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC bought a new stake in shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $204,000. GF Fund Management CO. LTD. acquired a new stake in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $205,000. Finally, Camden National Bank acquired a new stake in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies during the third quarter worth approximately $222,000. Institutional investors own 91.69% of the company's stock.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Company Profile

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology-based locomotives, equipment, systems, and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries worldwide. It offers diesel-electric, battery, and liquid natural gas-powered locomotives; engines, electric motors, and propulsion systems; and marine and mining products.