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CSX vs WAB
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CSX Corporation (CSX) vs. Wabtec Corporation (WAB) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CSX Corporation (CSX), a leading rail operator, and Wabtec Corporation (WAB), a rail equipment and services provider, offer complementary exposures in the transportation sector.
- Year-to-date (YTD) performance shows WAB ahead at +23.95% versus CSX's +20.98%, reflecting stronger growth sentiment for WAB.
- CSX shares have declined around 8% in recent weeks due to softer freight demand and weather impacts, while WAB maintains upward momentum.
- CSX trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 28.38 compared to WAB's 38.75 (trailing twelve months, TTM), indicating relative value but higher growth premium for WAB.
- Both stocks report Q1 2026 earnings on April 22, with expectations of EPS growth for CSX at $0.39 and robust revenue rise for WAB at 12.5% year-over-year.
- Analyst targets imply ~10% upside for WAB versus flat for CSX, highlighting relative positioning.
Introduction
CSX Corporation (CSX) and Wabtec Corporation (WAB) represent key players in the rail industry, with CSX focusing on freight transportation and WAB on equipment and technology solutions. This comparison is particularly relevant for investors eyeing transportation and infrastructure themes, as both stocks reflect broader economic cycles like industrial demand and supply chain dynamics. Traders monitoring relative performance may find insights into momentum shifts, valuation trade-offs, and sector catalysts amid recent market volatility.
CSX Overview and Recent Performance
CSX Corporation operates as one of the largest Class I railroads in the eastern United States, transporting commodities such as coal, chemicals, and intermodal freight. With a market capitalization of approximately $81.3 billion, it benefits from extensive network efficiency and volume growth potential. In recent market activity, CSX shares have traded near their 52-week high of $43.80, closing around $43.71, supported by YTD gains of nearly 21%. However, sentiment has softened in recent weeks with an approximate 8% pullback, influenced by analyst downgrades, subdued freight volumes, and weather-related disruptions. Upcoming Q1 earnings are expected to show EPS of $0.39, amid focus on cost pressures and network optimization.
WAB Overview and Recent Performance
Wabtec Corporation, formerly Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies, specializes in train control products, railcar components, and digital solutions for global freight and transit markets. Its $45 billion market cap underscores a focus on aftermarket services and innovation. Recently, WAB shares have shown resilience, trading around $264 with a 52-week range of $168.83 to $275.84 and YTD returns of 23.95%. Positive momentum stems from a strong Q4 beat, record backlogs, and growth in transit segments, despite some sector-wide cost concerns. Q1 expectations include $2.55 EPS and 12.5% revenue growth, bolstering its growth stock profile.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CSX and WAB share rail sector exposure but diverge in business models: CSX generates revenue primarily from freight operations (volume-driven), while WAB emphasizes equipment sales and services (margin-accretive aftermarket). Growth drivers favor WAB, with higher expected EPS expansion and a massive backlog, versus CSX's reliance on intermodal recovery. Recent momentum tilts to WAB amid CSX's dip from demand softness. Risk factors include cyclical volumes for CSX and input costs for WAB, though both exhibit low beta stability. Market sentiment positions WAB as a higher-growth play with analyst upside, contrasting CSX's value-oriented stability in a maturing operator landscape.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI tools would likely favor WAB in the current environment due to its superior YTD momentum, growth catalysts like backlog execution, and analyst-implied upside potential exceeding 10%, compared to CSX's recent pullback and valuation plateau. This probabilistic edge stems from trend consistency and relative positioning, though both merit monitoring post-earnings for shifts in freight dynamics.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CSX is a Buy and WAB is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CSX’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileWAB’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CSX’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- WAB’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CSX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WAB’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CSX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- WAB’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CSX (@Railroads) experienced а +1.23% price change this week, while WAB (@Railroads) price change was +1.84% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was +0.77%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.60%, and the average quarterly price growth was +7.36%.
Reported Earning Dates
CSX is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
WAB is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (+0.77% weekly)The Railroad industry includes passenger and freight transportation services along rail lines. This also includes companies that provide maintenance and switching duties as part of rail services. Within North America, the industry is largely dominated by some large operators. Several short-line railroads serve regional and local routes. Union Pacific Corporation, Canadian National Railway Company, and CSX Corporation are some of the prominent names in the business. The railroad business is relatively cyclical; economic expansion boost the freight services in particular, while economic stagnation often dampens transportation demand.
| CSX | WAB | CSX / WAB | |
| Capitalization | 88.4B | 45B | 196% |
| EBITDA | 6.49B | 2.36B | 275% |
| Gain YTD | 32.063 | 24.547 | 131% |
| P/E Ratio | 29.18 | 37.51 | 78% |
| Revenue | 14.2B | 11.5B | 123% |
| Total Cash | 1.11B | 531M | 209% |
| Total Debt | 19.3B | 6.54B | 295% |
CSX | WAB | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 14 | 68 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 87 Overvalued | 88 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 33 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 41 | 68 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 25 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 19 | 34 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 49 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CSX's Valuation (87) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (88) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
WAB's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is in the same range as CSX (33) in the Railroads industry. This means that WAB’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's SMR Rating (41) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (68) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Price Growth Rating (14) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (25) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's P/E Growth Rating (19) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as WAB (34) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry. This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to WAB’s over the last 12 months.
| CSX | WAB | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 40% | 3 days ago 48% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 55% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 17 days ago 49% | 7 days ago 45% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 80% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 61% |
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WAB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WAB has been loosely correlated with UNP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 52% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WAB jumps, then UNP could also see price increases.