AXON vs. WAB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AXON and WAB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AXON’s market capitalization of 61.93 billion USD is substantially larger than WAB’s 36.68 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 1.28 for AXON and 1.13 for WAB, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AXON | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Railroads |
| CEO | Patrick W. Smith | Rafael Ottoni Santana |
| Price | 795.48 USD | 214.37 USD |
| Market Cap | 61.93 billion USD | 36.68 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.28 | 1.13 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | June 19, 2001 | June 16, 1995 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AXON 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AXON’s Return on Equity of 14.86% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WAB
10.73%
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 40.80%
- Q3
- 24.36%
- Median
- 18.32%
- Q1
- 11.84%
- Min
- 8.37%
WAB’s Return on Equity of 10.73% is in the lower quartile for the Railroads industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Return on Invested Capital
AXON
0.68%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AXON’s Return on Invested Capital of 0.68% is in line with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
WAB
8.17%
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 11.47%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 9.08%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- 4.32%
WAB’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.17% is in line with the norm for the Railroads industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.86% places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WAB
10.53%
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 27.77%
- Q3
- 26.50%
- Median
- 24.33%
- Q1
- 9.34%
- Min
- 4.79%
WAB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.53% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Railroads industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AXON
1.50%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AXON’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.50% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
WAB
16.09%
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 41.08%
- Q3
- 37.86%
- Median
- 35.40%
- Q1
- 15.99%
- Min
- 10.85%
WAB’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.09% is around the midpoint for the Railroads industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.86% | 10.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.44% | 5.79% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 0.68% | 8.17% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.86% | 10.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.50% | 16.09% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.44% | 31.55% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AXON
2.83
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AXON’s Current Ratio of 2.83 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WAB
1.34
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 1.97
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.85
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.62
WAB’s Current Ratio of 1.34 aligns with the median group of the Railroads industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AXON
0.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
AXON’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
WAB
0.39
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 1.19
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.39
Falling into the lower quartile for the Railroads industry, WAB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.39 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AXON
2.53
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
AXON’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
WAB
8.45
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 8.45
- Q3
- 7.16
- Median
- 6.40
- Q1
- 5.53
- Min
- 4.30
WAB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.45 is in the upper quartile for the Railroads industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.83 | 1.34 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 2.62 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.80 | 0.39 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.34 | 0.21 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 4.16 | 1.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.53 | 8.45 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AXON and WAB. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON 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
0.42%
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 4.30%
- Q3
- 2.64%
- Median
- 2.21%
- Q1
- 1.33%
- Min
- 0.43%
WAB’s Dividend Yield of 0.42% is below the typical range for the Railroads industry. This indicates that shareholder returns are likely driven more by potential capital appreciation than by dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON 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
13.29%
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 69.30%
- Q3
- 47.83%
- Median
- 32.93%
- Q1
- 18.85%
- Min
- 13.29%
WAB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.29% is in the lower quartile for the Railroads industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 13.29% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AXON
184.79
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
At 184.79, AXON’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
WAB
33.05
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 26.01
- Q3
- 22.00
- Median
- 19.48
- Q1
- 17.09
- Min
- 16.09
At 33.05, WAB’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Railroads industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AXON
8.54
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
A Forward PEG Ratio of 8.54 places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
WAB
3.48
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 1.85
- Q3
- 1.84
- Median
- 1.79
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 1.52
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Railroads industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AXON
27.81
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
With a P/S Ratio of 27.81, AXON 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
3.49
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 6.74
- Q3
- 5.30
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- 0.42
WAB’s P/S Ratio of 3.49 aligns with the market consensus for the Railroads industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AXON
23.93
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
At 23.93, AXON’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
WAB
3.53
Railroads Industry
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 4.36
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 1.98
- Min
- 1.00
WAB’s P/B Ratio of 3.53 is within the conventional range for the Railroads 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 | AXON | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 184.79 | 33.05 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 8.54 | 3.48 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 27.81 | 3.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.93 | 3.53 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 170.80 | 24.94 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 274.06 | 19.80 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 28.23 | 3.81 |