TRN
Trinity Industries, Inc.
Railroads
Market Cap$2.93B
5Y Perf.+83.4%
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Stock Comparison
TRN vs WAB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Railroads
Market Cap$45.09B
5Y Perf.+335.1%
TRN vs WAB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | TRN | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Railroads | Railroads |
| Market Cap | $2.93B | $45.09B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.06B | $11.51B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $255M | $1.21B |
| Gross Margin | 27.0% | 33.8% |
| Operating Margin | 16.6% | 16.1% |
| Forward P/E | 18.8x | 25.0x |
| Total Debt | $5.44B | $5.54B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $201M | $789M |
TRN vs WAB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
TRN
WAB
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Industries,… (TRN) | 100 | 183.4 | +83.4% |
| Westinghouse Air Br… (WAB) | 100 | 435.1 | +335.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TRN vs WAB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: TRN leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
TRN
Trinity Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
TRN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 15 yrs, beta 0.97, yield 3.2%
- 261.3% 10Y total return vs WAB's 247.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.97, current ratio 2.12x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
The Growth Play
WAB is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 7.5%, EPS growth 13.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.1%
- 7.5% revenue growth vs TRN's -30.0%
- 5.6% ROA vs TRN's 3.0%, ROIC 9.6% vs 4.1%
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | WAB | 7.5% revenue growth vs TRN's -30.0% |
| Value | TRN | Lower P/E (18.8x vs 25.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | TRN | 12.4% margin vs WAB's 10.5% |
| Stability / Safety | TRN | Beta 0.97 vs WAB's 1.11 |
| Dividends | TRN | 3.2% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs WAB's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | TRN | +57.0% vs WAB's +40.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WAB | 5.6% ROA vs TRN's 3.0%, ROIC 9.6% vs 4.1% |
TRN vs WAB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
TRN vs WAB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLTRNLAGGINGWAB
WABWestinghouse Air Brak…
1leads
TRNTrinity Industries, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WABMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
TRN5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WAB6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
TRN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
TRN2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — TRN and WAB each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WAB is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.5B annually — 5.6x TRN's $2.1B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 12.4% (TRN) to 10.5% (WAB). On growth, WAB holds the edge at +13.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | TRNTrinity Industrie… | WABWestinghouse Air … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.1B | $11.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $646M | $2.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $255M | $1.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$283M | $1.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +27.0% | +33.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.6% | +16.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.4% | +10.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -13.7% | +14.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -16.0% | +13.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.4% | +12.8% |
Evenly matched — TRN and WAB each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
TRN leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.0x trailing earnings, TRN trades at a 69% valuation discount to WAB's 38.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, TRN's 12.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WAB's 21.0x.
| Metric | TRNTrinity Industrie… | WABWestinghouse Air … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.9B | $45.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.2B | $49.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.01x | 38.90x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.79x | 25.05x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.51x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.31x | 21.03x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.36x | 4.04x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.65x | 4.06x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 30.08x |
TRN leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WAB leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TRN delivers a 21.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $11 for WAB. WAB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.50x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TRN's 4.75x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TRN scores 8/9 vs WAB's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | TRNTrinity Industrie… | WABWestinghouse Air … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +21.3% | +10.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.0% | +5.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.1% | +9.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.7% | +11.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 4.75x | 0.50x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $5.2B | $4.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $201M | $789M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5.4B | $5.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.29x | 7.41x |
WAB leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — TRN and WAB each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WAB five years ago would be worth $32,899 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $14,024 for TRN. Over the past 12 months, TRN leads with a +57.0% total return vs WAB's +40.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WAB at 39.3% vs TRN's 23.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | TRNTrinity Industrie… | WABWestinghouse Air … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +38.3% | +23.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +57.0% | +40.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +88.1% | +170.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +40.2% | +229.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +261.3% | +247.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +23.4% | +39.3% |
Evenly matched — TRN and WAB each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TRN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TRN is the less volatile stock with a 0.97 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WAB's 1.11 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | TRNTrinity Industrie… | WABWestinghouse Air … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.97x | 1.11x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $37.27 | $275.84 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.38 | $184.26 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.3% | +96.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.1 | 58.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 575K | 905K |
TRN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
TRN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TRN as "Hold" and WAB as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 9.5% upside for WAB (target: $291) vs -4.5% for TRN (target: $35). For income investors, TRN offers the higher dividend yield at 3.25% vs WAB's 0.38%.
| Metric | TRNTrinity Industrie… | WABWestinghouse Air … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $35.00 | $291.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 25 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.2% | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 15 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.19 | $1.01 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.4% | +0.5% |
TRN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
TRN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). WAB leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
Best OverallTrinity Industries, Inc. (TRN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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TRN vs WAB: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TRN or WAB a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) is the stronger pick with 7.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -30. 0% for Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN). Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN) offers the better valuation at 12. 0x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) a "Buy" — based on 34 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — TRN or WAB?
On trailing P/E, Trinity Industries, Inc.
(TRN) is the cheapest at 12. 0x versus Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation at 38. 9x. On forward P/E, Trinity Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TRN or WAB?
Over the past 5 years, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) delivered a total return of +229.
0%, compared to +40. 2% for Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TRN returned +261. 3% versus WAB's +247. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — TRN or WAB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Trinity Industries, Inc.
(TRN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 97β versus Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation's 1. 11β — meaning WAB is approximately 14% more volatile than TRN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 50% versus 5% for Trinity Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TRN or WAB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) is pulling ahead at 7.
5% versus -30. 0% for Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Trinity Industries, Inc. grew EPS 86. 0% year-over-year, compared to 13. 1% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, WAB leads at 10. 1% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — TRN or WAB?
Trinity Industries, Inc.
(TRN) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 7% net margin versus 10. 5% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation — meaning it keeps 11. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WAB leads at 16. 7% versus 16. 6% for TRN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WAB leads at 31. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is TRN or WAB more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Trinity Industries, Inc.
(TRN) trades at 18. 8x forward P/E versus 25. 0x for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation — 6. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WAB: 9. 5% to $291. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — TRN or WAB?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 0. 4% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB).
09Is TRN or WAB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Trinity Industries, Inc.
(TRN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 97), 3. 2% yield, +261. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TRN: +261. 3%, WAB: +247. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between TRN and WAB?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: TRN is a small-cap deep-value stock; WAB is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. TRN pays a dividend while WAB does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(TRN: -16.0% · WAB: 13.0%)Net Margin>
%
(TRN: 12.4% · WAB: 10.5%)P/E Ratio<
x
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