FreightCar America Reports Q1 Revenue of $64.31M
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 04 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RAIL?
Reports Q1 revenue $64.31M, consensus $74.6M. "Our first quarter results were in line with expectations and reflective of the current industry environment. Despite this environment, we continue to win high quality commercial opportunities, create new efficiencies and grow our aftermarket parts business. This represents our highest quarterly gross margin in over a decade and demonstrates that we are well positioned across the cycle," said Nick Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreightCar America. "Fleets continue to age and deferred replacement needs are contributing to pent-up demand across the industry. As replacement demand materializes, FreightCar America is well positioned to respond quickly and capitalize in a shorter lead-time environment, supported by scalable capacity and strong operational flexibility. At the same time, our differentiated full-service railcar offering, including retrofits, conversions and an expanding aftermarket presence, positions us well to drive growth and create value across a range of market conditions."
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Analyst Views on RAIL
Wall Street analysts forecast RAIL stock price to rise
1 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 7.730
Low
18.00
Averages
18.00
High
18.00
Current: 7.730
Low
18.00
Averages
18.00
High
18.00
About RAIL
FreightCar America, Inc. is a designer, producer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components. It also specializes in railcar repairs, complete railcar rebody services and railcar conversions that repurpose idled rail assets back into revenue service. It designs and manufactures a broad variety of freight cars including box cars, covered hoppers, open top hoppers, gondolas, intermodal and non-intermodal flat cars that transport numerous types of dry bulk and containerized freight products. It offers VersaFlood II open-top hoppers in all steel and hybrid configurations (aluminum/stainless steel) with a patented automatic door system; 52’ and 66’ mill gondolas in multiple cubic capacities; rotary and non-rotary aggregate gondolas; triple hoppers in all steel and hybrid configurations; intermodal flats (including single unit, 2 unit and 3 unit, 53’ well cars) and non-intermodal flat cars including 64’ - 89’ length for general purpose, steel slab, and bulkhead flats.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
FreightCar America Q1 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Performance: FreightCar America reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.04, meeting expectations, but revenue of $64.31 million fell 33.2% year-over-year, missing estimates by $10.29 million, indicating significant market challenges.
- Fiscal 2026 Outlook: The company reaffirms its fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting railcar deliveries of 4,000 to 4,500, a 3% year-over-year increase, with revenue expectations set between $500 million and $550 million, reflecting a 4.8% growth, showing cautious optimism for future market conditions.
- Adjusted EBITDA Forecast: Expected adjusted EBITDA is between $41 million and $50 million, representing a 10.4% year-over-year increase, highlighting the company's efforts in cost control and operational efficiency despite the overall revenue decline.
- Market Reaction: Following the earnings report, FreightCar America's shares rose 1.36% in after-hours trading, suggesting a recovery in investor confidence regarding the company's future outlook, even though overall performance remains weak.
See More
FreightCar America Reports Q4 Earnings Miss Amid Revenue Decline
- Quarterly Revenue Miss: FreightCar America reported Q4 2025 revenue of $125.6 million, falling short of the $160.6 million analysts expected by 21.8%, indicating a shift towards lower-priced converted railcars affecting overall revenue.
- Earnings Per Share Decline: The EPS for the quarter was $0.16, below the consensus estimate of $0.17, with management attributing the shortfall to a higher effective tax rate and the absence of a prior-year tax valuation allowance benefit, highlighting pressure on profitability.
- Full-Year Performance Decline: Total revenue for FY2025 was $501.0 million, a 10.4% year-over-year decline primarily due to fewer railcar deliveries (4,125 vs. 4,362) and a shift towards lower-priced conversion builds, although EPS improved to $1.09 from a loss of $3.12 in FY2024, aided by a $51.9 million tax allowance release and improved gross margin.
- Stable Future Guidance: The company issued guidance for FY2026, expecting 4,000 to 4,500 railcar deliveries, revenue between $500 million and $550 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $41 million to $50 million, reflecting management's confidence in future operations despite current performance challenges.
See More
FreightCar America Reports Strong 2025 Financial Performance
- Revenue and Cash Flow: FreightCar America achieved $501 million in total revenue for 2025, with free cash flow of $31.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of approximately 45%, which enhances the company's competitive position in the market.
- Margin Expansion: The company expanded its gross margin by over 260 basis points year-over-year, achieving a fourth-quarter gross margin of 13.4%, indicating significant improvements in operational efficiency that contribute to overall profitability.
- Market Share Growth: By acquiring Carly Railcar Components, FreightCar America expanded its aftermarket platform, successfully diversifying its revenue streams while gaining market share across its served markets, demonstrating the effectiveness of its commercial strategy.
- Future Outlook: The 2026 revenue guidance is forecasted between $500 million and $550 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $41 million and $50 million, showcasing positive growth potential despite facing industry demand pressures.
See More
Under the Radar Growth Opportunities
- Ignored Market Companies: Many small and mid-sized companies are experiencing rapid growth while institutional ownership remains relatively low, presenting potential price appreciation opportunities, especially when companies execute well and attract institutional attention.
- FreightCar America's Recovery: FreightCar America has significantly lowered its cost structure by shifting production to Mexico, and as orders rebound, revenue growth has accelerated; however, institutional ownership remains relatively low, indicating market neglect of its recovery.
- Rapid Growth of Inter & Co.: Inter & Co.'s digital banking platform in Latin America is expanding rapidly, reaching tens of millions of users, and while its revenue is growing quickly, institutional ownership in the U.S. remains limited, reflecting global funds' cautious stance towards Brazilian fintech companies.
- K-Way's Infrastructure Services: K-Way is experiencing accelerated revenue growth in the infrastructure services sector, with management guiding for continued double-digit growth, yet institutional investor interest in this area remains low, leaving the company relatively obscure in the market.
See More
FreightCar America Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Profitability Improvement: FreightCar America achieved total revenues of $501 million in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $44.8 million, a 4.2% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the company's strong operational execution and optimized product mix despite challenging conditions.
- Cash Flow Growth: The company generated $31.4 million in free cash flow in 2025, up 44.8% from the previous year, which not only enhances financial flexibility but also supports future investments and expansions.
- Market Share Expansion: By acquiring Carly Railcar Components, FreightCar America has established a stronger revenue platform in the aftermarket, with projected aftermarket revenues of $40 million to $41 million in 2026, further solidifying its market position.
- Outlook Forecast: Management expects revenues for 2026 to range between $500 million and $550 million, with deliveries of 4,000 to 4,500 railcars, reflecting confidence in future market recovery while planning to initiate tank car retrofit projects in the second half of the year to meet demand.
See More
FreightCar America Reports Earnings Miss, Shares Plunge Over 20%
- Earnings Miss: FreightCar America reported a net loss of $16.6 million in Q4 2025, a stark decline from a $34.6 million profit in the same quarter last year, highlighting the company's vulnerability amid industry challenges.
- Revenue Decline: The company's revenue fell 8.8% year-over-year to $125.6 million, missing market expectations of $129.5 million, reflecting weak market demand and insufficient delivery capacity.
- Adjusted EBITDA Drop: Adjusted EBITDA stood at $10.4 million with a margin of 8.3%, down from $13.9 million and a 10.1% margin in the previous year, indicating a significant decline in profitability.
- Pessimistic 2026 Outlook: FreightCar America expects revenue for fiscal 2026 to be between $500 million and $550 million, well below market estimates of $625.65 million, signaling ongoing market pressures and growth challenges.
See More
FreightCar America Q1 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Performance: FreightCar America reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.04, meeting expectations, but revenue of $64.31 million fell 33.2% year-over-year, missing estimates by $10.29 million, indicating significant market challenges.
- Fiscal 2026 Outlook: The company reaffirms its fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting railcar deliveries of 4,000 to 4,500, a 3% year-over-year increase, with revenue expectations set between $500 million and $550 million, reflecting a 4.8% growth, showing cautious optimism for future market conditions.
- Adjusted EBITDA Forecast: Expected adjusted EBITDA is between $41 million and $50 million, representing a 10.4% year-over-year increase, highlighting the company's efforts in cost control and operational efficiency despite the overall revenue decline.
- Market Reaction: Following the earnings report, FreightCar America's shares rose 1.36% in after-hours trading, suggesting a recovery in investor confidence regarding the company's future outlook, even though overall performance remains weak.
See More
FreightCar America Reports Q4 Earnings Miss Amid Revenue Decline
- Quarterly Revenue Miss: FreightCar America reported Q4 2025 revenue of $125.6 million, falling short of the $160.6 million analysts expected by 21.8%, indicating a shift towards lower-priced converted railcars affecting overall revenue.
- Earnings Per Share Decline: The EPS for the quarter was $0.16, below the consensus estimate of $0.17, with management attributing the shortfall to a higher effective tax rate and the absence of a prior-year tax valuation allowance benefit, highlighting pressure on profitability.
- Full-Year Performance Decline: Total revenue for FY2025 was $501.0 million, a 10.4% year-over-year decline primarily due to fewer railcar deliveries (4,125 vs. 4,362) and a shift towards lower-priced conversion builds, although EPS improved to $1.09 from a loss of $3.12 in FY2024, aided by a $51.9 million tax allowance release and improved gross margin.
- Stable Future Guidance: The company issued guidance for FY2026, expecting 4,000 to 4,500 railcar deliveries, revenue between $500 million and $550 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $41 million to $50 million, reflecting management's confidence in future operations despite current performance challenges.
See More
FreightCar America Reports Strong 2025 Financial Performance
- Revenue and Cash Flow: FreightCar America achieved $501 million in total revenue for 2025, with free cash flow of $31.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of approximately 45%, which enhances the company's competitive position in the market.
- Margin Expansion: The company expanded its gross margin by over 260 basis points year-over-year, achieving a fourth-quarter gross margin of 13.4%, indicating significant improvements in operational efficiency that contribute to overall profitability.
- Market Share Growth: By acquiring Carly Railcar Components, FreightCar America expanded its aftermarket platform, successfully diversifying its revenue streams while gaining market share across its served markets, demonstrating the effectiveness of its commercial strategy.
- Future Outlook: The 2026 revenue guidance is forecasted between $500 million and $550 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $41 million and $50 million, showcasing positive growth potential despite facing industry demand pressures.
See More
Under the Radar Growth Opportunities
- Ignored Market Companies: Many small and mid-sized companies are experiencing rapid growth while institutional ownership remains relatively low, presenting potential price appreciation opportunities, especially when companies execute well and attract institutional attention.
- FreightCar America's Recovery: FreightCar America has significantly lowered its cost structure by shifting production to Mexico, and as orders rebound, revenue growth has accelerated; however, institutional ownership remains relatively low, indicating market neglect of its recovery.
- Rapid Growth of Inter & Co.: Inter & Co.'s digital banking platform in Latin America is expanding rapidly, reaching tens of millions of users, and while its revenue is growing quickly, institutional ownership in the U.S. remains limited, reflecting global funds' cautious stance towards Brazilian fintech companies.
- K-Way's Infrastructure Services: K-Way is experiencing accelerated revenue growth in the infrastructure services sector, with management guiding for continued double-digit growth, yet institutional investor interest in this area remains low, leaving the company relatively obscure in the market.
See More
FreightCar America Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Profitability Improvement: FreightCar America achieved total revenues of $501 million in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $44.8 million, a 4.2% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the company's strong operational execution and optimized product mix despite challenging conditions.
- Cash Flow Growth: The company generated $31.4 million in free cash flow in 2025, up 44.8% from the previous year, which not only enhances financial flexibility but also supports future investments and expansions.
- Market Share Expansion: By acquiring Carly Railcar Components, FreightCar America has established a stronger revenue platform in the aftermarket, with projected aftermarket revenues of $40 million to $41 million in 2026, further solidifying its market position.
- Outlook Forecast: Management expects revenues for 2026 to range between $500 million and $550 million, with deliveries of 4,000 to 4,500 railcars, reflecting confidence in future market recovery while planning to initiate tank car retrofit projects in the second half of the year to meet demand.
See More
FreightCar America Reports Earnings Miss, Shares Plunge Over 20%
- Earnings Miss: FreightCar America reported a net loss of $16.6 million in Q4 2025, a stark decline from a $34.6 million profit in the same quarter last year, highlighting the company's vulnerability amid industry challenges.
- Revenue Decline: The company's revenue fell 8.8% year-over-year to $125.6 million, missing market expectations of $129.5 million, reflecting weak market demand and insufficient delivery capacity.
- Adjusted EBITDA Drop: Adjusted EBITDA stood at $10.4 million with a margin of 8.3%, down from $13.9 million and a 10.1% margin in the previous year, indicating a significant decline in profitability.
- Pessimistic 2026 Outlook: FreightCar America expects revenue for fiscal 2026 to be between $500 million and $550 million, well below market estimates of $625.65 million, signaling ongoing market pressures and growth challenges.
See More
