Coming Soon: FreightCar America Earnings

FreightCar America (Nasdaq: RAIL  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 19. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict FreightCar America's revenues will drop -27.0% and EPS will shrink -62.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $136.6 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.27.

Revenue details
Last quarter, FreightCar America reported revenue of $160.6 million. GAAP reported sales were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $130.1 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, EPS came in at $0.40. GAAP EPS were $0.40 for Q3 compared to -$0.20 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 10.0%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 4.9%, 350 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.0%, 490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $696.9 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.94.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 741 members out of 783 rating the stock outperform, and 42 members rating it underperform. Among 227 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 219 give FreightCar America a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on FreightCar America is hold, with an average price target of $23.13.

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