WAB vs. WSO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at WAB and WSO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | WAB | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation | Watsco, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 33.94 billion USD | 16.35 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 16, 1995 | June 7, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of WAB and WSO 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 | WAB | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.24% | 3.49% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.24% | -8.45% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 6.81% | -21.22% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.99% | -18.48% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.60% | 0.48% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.74% | -14.68% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 0.53M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.07M | 0.37M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.57% | 28.46% |
| Beta | 1.10 | 0.94 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
WSO
19.73%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.66%
- Median
- 13.72%
- Q1
- 9.74%
- Min
- -0.34%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, WSO’s Return on Equity of 19.73% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WSO
7.08%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
WSO’s Net Profit Margin of 7.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WSO
10.26%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
WSO’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.26% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | WAB | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.11% | 19.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.00% | 11.69% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.92% | 7.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.22% | 10.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.57% | 27.54% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WSO
3.08
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
WSO’s Current Ratio of 3.08 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WSO
0.01
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, WSO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 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 (TTM)
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.
WSO
140.00
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -1.67
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 140.00, WSO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | WAB | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.76 | 3.08 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.05 | 1.26 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.44 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.65 | 140.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
WSO
2.71%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSO’s Dividend Yield of 2.71% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
WSO
84.37%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 84.37% is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | WAB | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.46% | 2.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 13.53% | 84.37% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
WAB
29.57
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 47.95
- Q3
- 30.11
- Median
- 22.35
- Q1
- 16.56
- Min
- 6.48
WAB’s P/E Ratio of 29.57 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.
WSO
31.18
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
A P/E Ratio of 31.18 places WSO in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
WAB
3.23
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.04
WAB’s P/S Ratio of 3.23 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.
WSO
2.21
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
WSO’s P/S Ratio of 2.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WSO
6.47
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.31
WSO’s P/B Ratio of 6.47 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | WAB | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.57 | 31.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.23 | 2.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.32 | 6.47 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 23.48 | 22.31 |