AME vs. WAB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 22, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AME and WAB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AME	WAB
Company Name	AMETEK, Inc.	Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Electrical Equipment	Machinery
Market Capitalization	42.34 billion USD	32.97 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	July 19, 1984	June 16, 1995
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AME and WAB by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AME vs. WAB: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AME	WAB
5-Day Price Return	-0.91%	0.98%
13-Week Price Return	1.34%	-6.91%
26-Week Price Return	-0.16%	-1.85%
52-Week Price Return	13.84%	19.80%
Month-to-Date Return	0.19%	0.42%
Year-to-Date Return	2.74%	1.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.13M	1.05M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.34M	1.02M
3-Month Volatility	17.75%	20.33%
Beta	1.13	1.11

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AME

14.53%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 37.56%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 14.38%
Q1: 4.35%
Min: 0.90%

AME’s Return on Equity of 14.53% is on par with the norm for the Electrical Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

WAB

11.11%

Machinery Industry

Max: 34.68%
Q3: 19.06%
Median: 13.13%
Q1: 8.53%
Min: -4.87%

WAB’s Return on Equity of 11.11% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AME

20.60%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 20.43%
Q3: 10.97%
Median: 6.07%
Q1: 3.16%
Min: 0.29%

AME’s Net Profit Margin of 20.60% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

WAB

10.92%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.74%
Q3: 11.24%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 5.38%
Min: -1.11%

WAB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AME

26.24%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 26.20%
Q3: 14.31%
Median: 7.54%
Q1: 3.77%
Min: -5.64%

AME’s Operating Profit Margin of 26.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

WAB

16.22%

Machinery Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 16.15%
Median: 11.27%
Q1: 7.72%
Min: -4.91%

An Operating Profit Margin of 16.22% places WAB in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AME	WAB
Return on Equity (TTM)	14.53%	11.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.66%	6.00%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	20.60%	10.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	26.24%	16.22%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	36.12%	33.57%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AME

1.63

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.99
Median: 1.41
Q1: 1.07
Min: 0.80

AME’s Current Ratio of 1.63 aligns with the median group of the Electrical Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

WAB

1.76

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.32
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.78

WAB’s Current Ratio of 1.76 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AME

0.19

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.99
Median: 0.56
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, AME’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

WAB

0.44

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.44
Q1: 0.26
Min: 0.00

WAB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.44 is typical for the Machinery industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AME

15.71

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 36.12
Q3: 19.29
Median: 9.38
Q1: 1.16
Min: -10.92

AME’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.71 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electrical Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

WAB

7.65

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 33.79
Median: 13.87
Q1: 7.97
Min: -1.43

In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, WAB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.65 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AME	WAB
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.63	1.76
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	1.05
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.19	0.44
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	15.71	7.65

Growth

Revenue Growth

AME vs. WAB: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AME vs. WAB: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AME

0.64%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 2.20%
Q3: 1.53%
Median: 1.01%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AME’s Dividend Yield of 0.64% is consistent with its peers in the Electrical Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

WAB

0.47%

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.32%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.87%
Q1: 1.09%
Min: 0.00%

WAB’s Dividend Yield of 0.47% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AME

18.94%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 119.44%
Q3: 51.87%
Median: 27.71%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AME’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.94% is within the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

WAB

13.53%

Machinery Industry

Max: 202.17%
Q3: 98.65%
Median: 55.54%
Q1: 29.03%
Min: 0.00%

WAB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.53% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AME	WAB
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.64%	0.47%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	18.94%	13.53%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AME

29.53

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 81.85
Q3: 44.17
Median: 27.61
Q1: 18.62
Min: 7.73

AME’s P/E Ratio of 29.53 is within the middle range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

WAB

28.50

Machinery Industry

Max: 53.66
Q3: 31.29
Median: 22.00
Q1: 16.18
Min: 7.00

WAB’s P/E Ratio of 28.50 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AME

6.08

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 8.18
Q3: 4.02
Median: 1.84
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.44

AME’s P/S Ratio of 6.08 is in the upper echelon for the Electrical Equipment industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

WAB

3.11

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 2.72
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.24

WAB’s P/S Ratio of 3.11 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AME

4.02

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 8.50
Q3: 4.53
Median: 3.39
Q1: 1.70
Min: 0.51

AME’s P/B Ratio of 4.02 is within the conventional range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

WAB

3.32

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.23
Q3: 3.90
Median: 2.52
Q1: 1.47
Min: 0.49

WAB’s P/B Ratio of 3.32 is within the conventional range for the Machinery industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

AME vs. WAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AME	WAB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	29.53	28.50
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.08	3.11
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.02	3.32
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	25.22	22.63