Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Robust first quarter order activity. During the first quarter ending on March 31, FreightCar America received orders for a total of 1,250 railcars valued at approximately $141 million. Based on the Railway Supply Institute’s American Railway Car Institute Committee (ARCI) first quarter 2025 reporting statistics, industry orders totaled 5,085 railcars, while deliveries amounted to 7,810. Freight Car’s orders represented approximately 25% of all new railcars ordered during the quarter and 36% of FreightCar America’s addressable market.
2025 corporate guidance. Railcar deliveries are expected to be in the range of 4,500 to 4,900, revenue is expected to be in the range of $530 million to $595 million, and adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $43 to $49 million. Our current 2025 estimates include railcar deliveries of 4,700 units, revenue of $562.5 million, and EBITDA of $45.4 million. While first quarter orders of 1,250 was above our estimate of 1,000, our estimate for first quarter deliveries is unchanged.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Orders Highlight Continued Strength Across Diverse Product Offerings
CHICAGO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreightCar America, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAIL) (“FreightCar America” or the “Company”), a diversified manufacturer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts, and components, today announced that it received total orders valued at approximately $141 million, representing a total of 1,250 railcars, during the quarter ended March 31, 2025. These orders underscore ongoing demand for FreightCar America’s railcar offerings and reflect continued market share gains.
FreightCar America continues to gain share within its core railcar markets, driven by strategic initiatives aimed at increasing operational efficiency, product innovation, and commercial excellence. The orders represent approximately 25% of all new railcars ordered in the quarter, and 36% in our addressable market, marking the largest new railcar market share quarter intake in 15 years.
Nick Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreightCar America, commented, “We are pleased to see sustained customer interest across our product portfolio, particularly in gondolas, open-top hoppers and covered hopper cars, which remain an integral part of our diverse portfolio of railcar types. Our manufacturing agility and ability to capture these opportunities highlights our competitive strengths.”
Randall continued, “We have been monitoring recent tariff developments and based on our current understanding, railcars sold by FreightCar America in North America are not subject to tariffs due to their compliance with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. We continue to monitor any tariff developments. With our supply chain strategy, operational excellence initiatives at our manufacturing facility and continued commercial momentum, we remain confident in our forward trajectory.”
Certain orders referenced in this release are subject to customary documentation and completion of terms.
About FreightCar America
FreightCar America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading designer, producer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components. We also specialize in railcar repairs, complete railcar rebody services and railcar conversions that repurpose idled rail assets back into revenue service. Since 1901, our customers have trusted us to build quality railcars that are critical to economic growth and instrumental to the North American supply chain. To learn more about FreightCar America, visit www.freightcaramerica.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements relating to our expected financial performance, financial condition, and/or future business prospects, events and/or plans that are “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Our actual results may differ materially from the results described in or anticipated by our forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties. These potential risks and uncertainties relate to, among other things, the cyclical nature of our business; adverse economic and market conditions, including inflation; material disruption in the movement of rail traffic for deliveries; fluctuating costs of raw materials, including steel and aluminum; delays in the delivery of raw materials; our ability to maintain relationships with our suppliers of railcar components; our reliance upon a small number of customers that represent a large percentage of our sales; the variable purchase patterns of our customers and the timing of completion; delivery and customer acceptance of orders; the highly competitive nature of our industry; the risk of lack of acceptance of our new railcar offerings; potential unexpected changes in laws, rules, and regulatory requirements, including tariffs and trade barriers (including recent United States tariffs imposed or threatened to be imposed on China, Canada, Mexico and other countries and any retaliatory actions taken by such countries); and other competitive factors. The factors listed above are not exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time that may cause our business not to develop as we expect, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We expressly disclaim any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CHICAGO, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreightCar America, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAIL), a diversified manufacturer of railroad freight cars, today announced that it will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on Monday, May 5, 2025, after the market close and host a teleconference to discuss its first quarter 2025 results on the following day. Teleconference details are as follows:
Please note that the webcast is listen-only and webcast participants will not be able to participate in the question and answer portion of the conference call. Interested parties are asked to dial in approximately 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time of the call.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. To access the replay, please dial (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671. The replay passcode is 13753235. An archived version of the webcast will also be available on the FreightCar America Investor Relations website.
About FreightCar America
FreightCar America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading designer, producer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components. We also specialize in railcar repairs, complete railcar rebody services and railcar conversions that repurpose idled rail assets back into revenue service. Since 1901, our customers have trusted us to build quality railcars that are critical to economic growth and instrumental to the North American supply chain. To learn more about FreightCar America, visit www.freightcaramerica.com.
The current market sentiment is one of extreme fear, with widespread selling across many small-cap stocks, especially those in the Russell 2000 index. A variety of factors, including tariffs and broader market uncertainty, have led to this wholesale selling, and as a result, many fundamentally strong small companies are being punished. However, for those willing to take a closer look, this fear-induced market drop may present some excellent investment opportunities.
On Friday, the Russell 2000 was down 27%, a sharp decline that reflects how smaller companies, particularly those in this index, are feeling the brunt of the market’s volatility. The Russell 2000 is made up of small-cap companies, which are inherently more volatile and have less liquidity than larger companies. As a result, they tend to experience more extreme price swings in response to broader market movements. This has created a situation where many small-cap stocks are now trading at huge discounts.
Take, for example, FreightCar America (RAIL). Just last December, this stock was trading at around $14. Now, it’s hovering around $4.50. Despite the severe decline, this is a stock that is fundamentally sound. The company is exempt from tariffs, has improved its financials with a successful refinancing deal in December, and has a solid business model. Yet, the stock continues to trade lower because of the broader market selloff affecting the Russell 2000 ETF. This creates a disconnect between the company’s true value and its current price.
Similarly, Graham (GHM), a defense manufacturer, was trading at $52 just a few months ago. Today, it’s at $27, representing a 50% discount on a fundamentally strong company. The Trump administration’s push to build more ships should actually work in Graham’s favor, making this steep decline even more perplexing. The fear in the market has led to excessive selling, but for long-term investors, this represents a buying opportunity.
And then there’s Eledon Pharmaceuticals (ELDN), a biopharmaceutical company whose stock has dropped from $5.50 to $2.80. This is a company with improving fundamentals, particularly positive patient data, yet the stock price has fallen sharply. This disconnect between price and performance highlights how the selloff has been more about broader market panic than about the company’s intrinsic value.
The bottom line is that there are real bargains out there in small-cap stocks for individual investors who are willing to look past the short-term fear. The Russell 2000 index has been hit harder than other indexes due to the smaller size and lower liquidity of the companies involved. As a result, the impact of impulsive, panic-driven selling is more pronounced in this index than in the larger ones.
For investors with staying power, particularly those with a 2-3 year horizon, the current market turmoil presents a significant opportunity. Many of these companies, which are being unfairly dragged down by the broader market, have strong fundamentals and the potential to rebound once market sentiment stabilizes. As the market continues to digest these challenges, patient investors may see significant returns as these companies recover and grow.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
No direct tariff impact. While the Trump administration recently announced sweeping new tariffs, goods from Mexico and Canada that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade agreement remain exempt from tariffs, except for automobile exports and steel and aluminum, which fall under separate tariffs. FreightCar America sources most of its raw materials, including aluminum, from the United States.
Return to business as usual. FreightCar America, along with customers in its addressable markets, have greater certainty regarding tariff policies, which could promote a return to business as usual for those that might have previously deferred orders due to uncertainty. While the Trump administration’s trade policies could have implications for U.S. and global economic growth, we believe the tariffs are negotiable. Importantly, because RAIL continues to increase its market share serving an industry that is in a replacement cycle, we do not anticipate a change in RAIL’s near-term sales trajectory despite the potential for slower economic growth.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Shelf registration. FreightCar recently filed a universal shelf registration statement pertaining to the offer and sale from time to time of up to $200 million in aggregate of the company’s common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, new warrants, rights or units, and the resale by a selling stockholder, affiliates of PIMCO, of up to 17,038,583 shares of common stock. PIMCO has now registered the shares associated with its warrants which enables them to sell shares over time following the exercise of the warrants. The warrants are already reflected in RAIL’s fully diluted share count and in our financial model.
Cleaner financial reporting. The change in the fair market value of the warrant liability fluctuates each quarter in line with the change in RAIL’s stock price during the period. The valuation adjustment reflects accounting for the warrant holder’s investment. For the full year 2024, the company recognized a $99.5 million non-cash adjustment due to the change in the fair market value of the warrant liability. All shares underlying the warrants have been reflected as part of the weighted shares outstanding since their issuance in prior years. Eliminating the warrant liability and need to report on the change in its fair market value could narrow the difference between GAAP and adjusted earnings.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Full year 2024 financial results. FreightCar America generated 2024 adjusted net income to common stockholders of $4.4 million or $0.15 per share compared to a loss of $11.0 million or $(0.39) per share in 2023 and our estimate of $5.5 million or $0.17 per share. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 12.0% compared to 11.7% in FY 2023. Revenue and rail car deliveries increased to $559.4 million and 4,362 compared to $358.1 million and 3,022 in 2023. We had forecast revenue of $577.4 million and deliveries of 4,550. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $43.0 million compared to $20.1 million in 2023 and our estimate of $38.3 million. Full year adjusted free cash flow amounted to $21.7 million versus $(17.6) million in 2023.
Full Year 2025 corporate guidance. Management issued full year 2025 guidance. Railcar deliveries are expected to be in the range of 4,500 to 4,900, revenue is expected to be in the range of $530 million to $595 million, and adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $43 to $49 million. Compared to 2024, railcar deliveries, revenue, and adjusted EBITDA are expected to increase 7.7%, 0.6%, and 7.0%, respectively, at the midpoints of guidance.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
New asset-based lending credit facility. FreightCar America executed a new $35 million asset-based lending (ABL) credit agreement with Bank of America consisting of revolving loans and a sub-facility for letters of credit. Compared to the company’s previous ABL credit agreement, the new revolving credit facility offers a lower interest rate that is based on the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) plus 175 basis points with a term ending on February 12, 2030.
Greater financial flexibility. The new facility is expected to provide the company with greater financial flexibility to support its growth and strategic objectives. Because the borrowing base requirements include eligible parts inventory and railcar inventory, we think the ability to borrow against its inventory could also provide the company with greater flexibility with respect to how it manages its production schedule.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Tariffs. Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trump Administration is implementing a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China. The tariffs are effective on February 4. Energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10% tariff. The action is intended to hold Mexico, Canada, and Mexico accountable for their promises of halting illegal immigration and preventing fentanyl and other drugs from entering the United States. The ad valorem duties do not appear to consider the origin of raw materials or to be subject to exemption.
Exposure. In 2021, FreightCar moved its manufacturing activities in the United States to a new state-of-the-art facility in Castanos, Mexico. It steadily grew production capacity to 5,000 rail cars per year with the addition of a fourth production line during the fourth quarter of 2023. Importantly, the company’s competitors, Greenbrier Companies (NYSE-GBX) and Trinity Industries (NYSE-TRN), also have significant manufacturing operations in Mexico that serve the U.S. market.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
New financing arrangement reduces Company’s cost of capital by approximately 40%
Further enhances financial flexibility, cash generation and ability to support growth strategy
CHICAGO, Jan. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreightCar America, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAIL) (“FreightCar America” or the “Company”), a diversified manufacturer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components, today announced it has completed a new term loan facility. The proceeds from the term loan will be used to redeem all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, as well as settle all related accrued dividends.
Highlights:
The Company closed a $115 million 4-year term loan agreement on December 31st, 2024 (the “Term Loan”).
Proceeds from the Term Loan were used to redeem all 85,412 shares of Series C Preferred Stock that were outstanding and all accrued dividends as of December 31st, 2024.
The Term Loan is priced at SOFR + 600, which will reduce the Company’s existing cost of capital by approximately 40%, resulting in savings of approximately $9.2 million in the first year, or approximately $0.26 per share on a fully diluted basis.
Mike Riordan, Chief Financial Officer of FreightCar America, commented, “As further testament to the strength and momentum of FreightCar America, I am extremely pleased to announce that we have taken an important step to improve our capital structure and lower borrowing costs. The completion of this financing along with the retirement of our Series C Preferred Stock enhances our financial flexibility, cash flow generation and allows us to continue executing our growth strategy with even greater confidence and agility.”
For additional information about the Company’s update, please refer to the Company’s Form 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About FreightCar America
FreightCar America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading designer, producer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components. We also specialize in railcar repairs, complete railcar rebody services and railcar conversions that repurpose idled rail assets back into revenue service. Since 1901, our customers have trusted us to build quality railcars that are critical to economic growth and instrumental to the North American supply chain. To learn more about FreightCar America, visit www.freightcaramerica.com.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Redemption of preferred stock. FreightCar America closed a $115 million four-year term loan on December 31, 2024. The loan is priced at the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) plus 600 basis points. Proceeds from the term loan were used to redeem all 85,412 shares of Series C preferred stock for a total redemption price of $113,274,739, including accrued dividends of $27,862,739. Recall that the dividends accrued at a rate of 17.5% per annum on the initial stated value of the preferred stock.
Lower cost of capital. The completion of the term loan financing, along with the retirement of the Series C preferred stock, enhances the company’s financial flexibility, cash flow profile, and lowers borrowing costs. Most recently, the secured overnight financing rate was ~4.40%.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreightCar America, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAIL or the “Company”), a diversified manufacturer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components, today announced that the Company will present and conduct investor meetings at Noble Capital Markets’ Emerging Growth Equity Conference on December 3-4, 2024 in Boca Raton, Florida.
Nick Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mike Riordan, Chief Financial Officer, will begin the presentation at 1:30 PM CT on December 3rd and conduct one-on-one investor meetings scheduled on both days.
Interested parties can access a replay of the presentation on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.freightcaramerica.com under the “News and Events” section.
About FreightCar America
FreightCar America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading designer, producer and supplier of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components. We also specialize in railcar repairs, complete railcar rebody services and railcar conversions that repurpose idled rail assets back into revenue service. Since 1901, our customers have trusted us to build quality railcars that are critical to economic growth and instrumental to the North American supply chain. To learn more about FreightCar America, visit www.freightcaramerica.com.
Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Third quarter financial results. FreightCar America generated third quarter adjusted net income to common stockholders of $2.455 million or $0.08 per share compared to $3.953 million or $0.13 per share during the prior year period. We had anticipated adjusted net income to common stockholders of $2.465 million or $0.07 per share. Average shares outstanding of 31.4 million were lower than our estimate of 34.5 million. Revenue and rail car deliveries increased to $113.3 million and 961, respectively, compared to $61.9 million and 503 during the third quarter of 2023. On a year-over-year basis, adjusted EBITDA increased to $10.9 million compared to $3.5 million during the prior year period and our estimate of $9.8 million. Free cash flow amounted to $5.7 million.
Full year 2024 corporate guidance. While guidance for revenue and rail car deliveries is unchanged, management narrowed its guidance range for EBITDA to $37.0 million to $39.0 million compared to previous expectations of $35.0 million to $39.0 million.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
