Analyst Ratings January 23, 2026

BofA Uplifts Wabtec Price Target Following Norfolk Southern Locomotive Deal

Boosted by a sizable order and promising acquisitions, analysts maintain confidence in Wabtec’s growth trajectory

By Hana Yamamoto WAB
BofA Uplifts Wabtec Price Target Following Norfolk Southern Locomotive Deal
WAB

BofA Securities increased its price target for Wabtec Inc. to $263 from $253, maintaining a Buy rating, citing a significant locomotive order from Norfolk Southern and robust revenue gains. Wabtec secured a 40-locomotive deal valued at several billion dollars, reflecting the railroad’s first such purchase since 2022, with deliveries planned for late 2026. Additional contracts and strategic acquisitions boost prospects for long-term expansion.

Key Points

  • BofA Securities raised Wabtec’s price target to $263, representing a 14% increase from current levels, with a Buy rating maintained.
  • Norfolk Southern’s purchase of 40 advanced Tier 4 locomotives from Wabtec marks the railroad’s first locomotive acquisition since 2022, with deliveries expected by mid-2026.
  • Wabtec expands its footprint with a $386 million order from New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and completes acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology, enhancing technological capabilities in train detection and control.

Bank of America Securities has revised upward its price target for Wabtec Corporation (NYSE:WAB), raising it to $263 from the previous $253, reaffirming a Buy recommendation on the stock. This revised valuation suggests a 14% potential gain over the current trading price, recently hovering around $230.43. The stock has been performing near its annual peak of $235.05, reflecting strong investor interest in the transportation equipment manufacturer that holds a market capitalization of approximately $39.39 billion.

The revaluation follows Norfolk Southern’s procurement of 40 ES44AC Tier 4 locomotives from Wabtec, marking Norfolk Southern’s first locomotive order since 2022. The delivery of these units is slated for the latter half of 2026. Based on data from InvestingPro, Wabtec has exhibited steady revenue growth, achieving a 4.4% increase over the past twelve months to reach total revenue of $10.79 billion.

Norfolk Southern’s acquisition will expand its current locomotive fleet by about 2.5%, considering the railroad operates roughly 1,600 high-horsepower locomotives. The newly ordered units incorporate advanced control systems, providing capabilities such as real-time remote diagnostics and live operational monitoring. Additionally, these locomotives promise enhancements in fuel efficiency, reduced operational expenditures, decreased emissions, and elevated reliability, offering multiple benefits to the railroad’s operational infrastructure.

The order, formally placed in the third quarter of 2025, is already factored into Wabtec’s backlog figures, according to Bank of America’s research note.

Further strengthening its market position, Wabtec has secured a substantial $386 million contract with New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority to supply additional R255 hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives. This contract supports the MTA’s broader Capital Plan aimed at modernizing the urban transit network’s asset base. In parallel, Wabtec completed the acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group GmbH, a firm specializing in train detection and control solutions, for €675 million in cash. Frauscher is projected to generate revenues in the vicinity of €145 million in 2025.

Reflecting the positive market sentiment, Wolfe Research upgraded Wabtec’s stock rating from Peerperform to Outperform, motivated by expectations of accelerated organic growth starting in 2026. In addition, Bank of America Securities has maintained its Buy rating with a price target set at $233, noting ongoing opportunities tied to the modernization of the North American locomotive fleet. These actions underline Wabtec’s strategic initiatives and the analyst community’s confidence in its future growth potential.

Risks

  • Delivery of locomotives is scheduled for the second half of 2026, introducing timeline risks associated with manufacturing and supply chain challenges.
  • Wabtec’s growth projections rely on successful integration of Frauscher Sensor Technology, with potential revenue and operational synergies dependent on execution.
  • Market valuations carry risk as the stock is trading near its 52-week high, making it sensitive to fluctuations in transportation and manufacturing sector conditions.

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