AVAV vs. WAB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and WAB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVAV | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 20.35 billion USD | 34.10 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 23, 2007 | June 16, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 13.11% | 0.81% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 72.11% | -6.37% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 246.55% | 14.92% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 98.51% | 9.57% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 29.41% | -0.50% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 164.81% | 5.21% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.46M | 0.97M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.42M | 1.07M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 48.69% | 23.56% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.01 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVAV
-2.55%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
AVAV has a negative Return on Equity of -2.55%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
WAB
11.11%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 33.68%
- Q3
- 20.05%
- Median
- 12.37%
- Q1
- 8.67%
- Min
- -7.69%
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.14%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
AVAV has a negative Net Profit Margin of -4.14%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
WAB
10.92%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.72%
- Q3
- 11.07%
- Median
- 7.62%
- Q1
- 5.05%
- Min
- -1.52%
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.75%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
AVAV has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.75%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
WAB
16.22%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 15.99%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -0.51%
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.55% | 11.11% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -2.04% | 6.00% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.14% | 10.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.75% | 16.22% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.60% | 33.57% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
5.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 5.96 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
WAB
1.76
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.77
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
0.16
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 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
- 1.56
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.27
- 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
20.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
WAB
7.65
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 81.58
- Q3
- 37.68
- Median
- 13.76
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 5.96 | 1.76 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 4.98 | 1.05 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.16 | 0.44 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.72 | 7.65 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
WAB
0.46%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.55%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 1.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
WAB’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
WAB
13.53%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 198.34%
- Q3
- 101.42%
- Median
- 62.79%
- Q1
- 29.85%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 13.53% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
P/E Ratio data for AVAV is currently unavailable.
WAB
29.67
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 47.95
- Q3
- 30.11
- Median
- 22.35
- Q1
- 16.56
- Min
- 6.48
WAB’s P/E Ratio of 29.67 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
18.07
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
With a P/S Ratio of 18.07, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
WAB
3.24
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.04
WAB’s P/S Ratio of 3.24 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
3.02
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 3.02 is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
WAB
3.32
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.29
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 2.67
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.52
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 29.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 18.07 | 3.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.02 | 3.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 273.80 | 23.56 |