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On Monday, DA Davidson maintained a Neutral rating on Wabash National (NYSE:WNC) with a price target of $7.50, while the stock currently trades at $8.97. The firm’s analyst, Michael Shlisky, cited recent industry data from ACT Research as a basis for the continued stance on the company’s stock. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets for WNC range from $7.50 to $16.00, reflecting mixed sentiment about the company’s prospects. According to the analyst, the April data showed a significant year-over-year decline in the US trailer industry, with orders, backlogs, and shipments all showing downward trends.
Orders for trailers dropped by 32% compared to the same month last year, while backlogs decreased by 28%. Shipments followed a similar pattern, falling by 26% year-over-year. This industry-wide decline is reflected in Wabash’s financial performance, with revenue declining 25.44% over the last twelve months. Shlisky pointed out that these statistics suggest a lack of confidence among fleets to place orders beyond immediate needs, which he attributed to concerns over tariffs and broader macroeconomic issues.
Retailers and manufacturers are reportedly adopting a cautious tone in the near term. Despite a modest recovery in Wabash National’s stock, the analyst expressed that the current data does not provide optimism for a near-term turnaround in the trailer sector. InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is slightly undervalued at current levels, with additional ProTips indicating management’s aggressive share buybacks and strong free cash flow yield. The report suggests that the company, and perhaps the industry at large, faces ongoing challenges as market players navigate a cautious economic landscape.
Wabash National’s stock performance will continue to be influenced by industry trends and macroeconomic factors. Investors and stakeholders in the company may be watching closely for any signs of improvement or further decline in the trailer-manufacturing sector as they assess the potential for growth and recovery. For a comprehensive analysis of Wabash National’s prospects, including 13 additional ProTips and detailed financial metrics, check out the full research report available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Wabash National Corporation reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, revealing significant shortfalls in both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue. The company posted an EPS of -$0.58, missing the forecasted -$0.26, while revenue came in at $381 million, falling short of the projected $414.55 million. These results have led to a downgrade in Wabash’s credit ratings by both S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s, citing weaker cash flows and higher leverage. Moody’s downgraded the corporate family rating to B1 from Ba3, while S&P lowered the credit rating to ’B+’ from ’BB-’.
S&P Global Ratings anticipates some improvement in trailer deliveries by 2026, which could enhance the company’s credit measures. Meanwhile, Wabash announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, payable on July 24, reflecting its ongoing commitment to shareholder value. The company is also appealing a significant legal verdict, with punitive damages reduced to $108 million from an initial $450 million, adding uncertainty to its financial outlook. Despite these challenges, Wabash is expanding its Trailers as a Service (TaaS) fleet and parts services, aiming for positive EPS in the latter half of 2025.
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