Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. (NYSE:WAB) Position Boosted by Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd

Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd lifted its stake in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. (NYSE:WAB) by 200.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,800 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the quarter. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd’s holdings in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies were worth $341,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in WAB. Erste Asset Management GmbH purchased a new stake in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $61,474,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies during the third quarter worth $24,630,000. AGF Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at $10,566,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new position in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the third quarter valued at about $7,128,000. Finally, Longbow Finance SA acquired a new position in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $4,312,000. 91.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of WAB opened at $178.89 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $30.56 billion, a PE ratio of 29.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. has a one year low of $139.82 and a one year high of $210.88. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $193.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $189.79.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (NYSE:WAB) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The transportation company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.74 by ($0.06). Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies had a return on equity of 12.78% and a net margin of 10.17%. As a group, analysts expect that Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Co. will post 8.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.56%. This is a positive change from Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies’s payout ratio is 16.58%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on WAB shares. StockNews.com downgraded Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $220.00 price target on shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies from $225.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $206.33.

Insider Activity at Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies

In other Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies news, CEO Rafael Santana sold 886 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.34, for a total value of $161,553.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 176,295 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $32,145,630.30. This represents a 0.50 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

About Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology-based locomotives, equipment, systems, and services for the freight rail and passenger transit industries worldwide. It offers diesel-electric, battery, and liquid natural gas-powered locomotives; engines, electric motors, and propulsion systems; and marine and mining products.