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WAB vs RXO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Trucking
WAB vs RXO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Railroads | Trucking |
| Market Cap | $45.09B | $3.81B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $11.51B | $4.31B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.21B | $-69M |
| Gross Margin | 33.8% | 17.5% |
| Operating Margin | 16.1% | -0.2% |
| Forward P/E | 25.0x | — |
| Total Debt | $5.54B | $861M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $789M | $18M |
WAB vs RXO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Oct 22 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse Air Br… (WAB) | 100 | 284.9 | +184.9% |
| RXO, Inc. (RXO) | 100 | 110.2 | +10.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WAB vs RXO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
WAB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 1.11, yield 0.4%
- 247.1% 10Y total return vs RXO's 10.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.11, Low D/E 49.5%, current ratio 1.11x
RXO is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 26.2%, EPS growth 72.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.2%
- 26.2% revenue growth vs WAB's 7.5%
- +78.2% vs WAB's +40.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 26.2% revenue growth vs WAB's 7.5% | |
| Quality / Margins | 10.5% margin vs RXO's -1.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.11 vs RXO's 2.74, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.4% yield; 6-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +78.2% vs WAB's +40.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.6% ROA vs RXO's -2.9%, ROIC 9.6% vs -0.2% |
WAB vs RXO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
WAB vs RXO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WAB leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WAB is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.5B annually — 2.7x RXO's $4.3B. WAB is the more profitable business, keeping 10.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to RXO's -1.6%. On growth, WAB holds the edge at +13.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $11.5B | $4.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.3B | $77M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.2B | -$69M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.6B | $9M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +33.8% | +17.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.1% | -0.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.5% | -1.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.3% | +0.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.0% | -99.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.8% | -16.7% |
Valuation Metrics
RXO leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, WAB's 21.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than RXO's 42.7x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $45.1B | $3.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $49.8B | $4.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 38.90x | -39.24x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 25.05x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.51x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 21.03x | 42.72x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.04x | 0.66x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.06x | 2.53x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 30.08x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
WAB leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WAB delivers a 10.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $-6 for RXO. WAB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.50x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to RXO's 0.56x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RXO scores 6/9 vs WAB's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.9% | -5.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.6% | -2.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.6% | -0.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.7% | -0.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.50x | 0.56x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.8B | $843M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $789M | $18M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5.5B | $861M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.41x | -3.15x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WAB leads this category, winning 4 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 $11,024 for RXO. Over the past 12 months, RXO leads with a +78.2% total return vs WAB's +40.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WAB at 39.3% vs RXO's 6.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +23.0% | +80.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +40.6% | +78.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +170.1% | +19.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +229.0% | +10.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +247.1% | +10.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +39.3% | +6.2% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WAB and RXO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WAB is the less volatile stock with a 1.11 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RXO's 2.74 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. RXO currently trades 99.4% from its 52-week high vs WAB's 96.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.11x | 2.74x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $275.84 | $23.29 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $184.26 | $10.43 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.3% | +99.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.7 | 62.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 905K | 1.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WAB as "Buy" and RXO as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 9.5% upside for WAB (target: $291) vs -30.9% for RXO (target: $16). WAB is the only dividend payer here at 0.38% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $291.00 | $16.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 34 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.4% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.01 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.5% | +0.0% |
WAB leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). RXO leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
WAB vs RXO: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WAB or RXO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, RXO, Inc.
(RXO) is the stronger pick with 26. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 5% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB). Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) offers the better valuation at 38. 9x trailing P/E (25. 0x 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 is the better long-term investment — WAB or RXO?
Over the past 5 years, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) delivered a total return of +229.
0%, compared to +10. 2% for RXO, Inc. (RXO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WAB returned +247. 1% versus RXO's +10. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — WAB or RXO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
11β versus RXO, Inc. 's 2. 74β — meaning RXO is approximately 147% more volatile than WAB 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 56% for RXO, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — WAB or RXO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), RXO, Inc.
(RXO) is pulling ahead at 26. 2% versus 7. 5% for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: RXO, Inc. grew EPS 72. 8% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — WAB or RXO?
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) is the more profitable company, earning 10.
5% net margin versus -1. 7% for RXO, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WAB leads at 16. 7% versus -0. 1% for RXO. 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.
06Is WAB or RXO more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WAB: 9.
5% to $291. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — WAB or RXO?
In this comparison, WAB (0.
4% yield) pays a dividend. RXO does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is WAB or RXO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
11), +247. 1% 10Y return). RXO, Inc. (RXO) carries a higher beta of 2. 74 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WAB: +247. 1%, RXO: +10. 2%), 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.
09What are the main differences between WAB and RXO?
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: WAB is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; RXO is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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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