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Blue Bird Corp (BLBD)
NASDAQ:BLBD
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Blue Bird (BLBD) AI Stock Analysis

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BLBD

Blue Bird

(NASDAQ:BLBD)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$64.00
▲(11.56% Upside)
Blue Bird's strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment are the most significant factors driving the score. Technical analysis suggests potential short-term volatility due to overbought conditions. Valuation is reasonable, but the lack of a dividend yield is a minor drawback.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Blue Bird beat and maintained outlook as revamped operations drive outperformance.
Market Expansion
The Buy rating is reiterated due to the potential expansion into the class 5/6 truck market which is seen as a growth opportunity beyond the traditional school bus market.
Product Development
Pricing power and new product levers driving increased long term margin guidance.
Negative Factors
Funding Uncertainty
There is elevated uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle school bus deliveries due to concerns over Environmental Protection Agency funding.
Regulatory Challenges
Fears of an EV school bus slowdown on less supportive regulatory policies as an anchor weighing on estimates.
Tariff Impact
The 145% tariffs on China severely impact the firm’s EV kits from Accelera, with the potential to add 10% to the price of an EV bus.

Blue Bird (BLBD) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Blue Bird Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionBlue Bird Corporation (BLBD) is a leading manufacturer of school buses and commercial buses in the United States. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Fort Valley, Georgia, the company specializes in producing a wide range of school buses, including traditional, electric, and propane-powered models. Blue Bird’s commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability has positioned it as a key player in the public transportation sector, catering primarily to school districts and municipalities across North America.
How the Company Makes MoneyBlue Bird generates revenue primarily through the sale of its buses to school districts and transit agencies. The company offers a variety of models that cater to different customer needs, enhancing its appeal in the market. In addition to bus sales, Blue Bird earns revenue from parts and service offerings, including aftermarket parts sales and maintenance services, which provide ongoing income after the initial bus sale. The company has also made significant strides in the electric bus market, which is becoming an important revenue stream as schools and municipalities seek to implement greener transportation solutions. Strategic partnerships with various suppliers and technology firms enhance Blue Bird's product offerings and drive additional sales, while government funding for school transportation and sustainability initiatives can further bolster the company's financial performance.

Blue Bird Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Gross Profit by Segment
Gross Profit by Segment
Examines profit after direct costs across segments, indicating which areas are most lucrative and efficient in cost management.
Chart InsightsBlue Bird's gross profit from the Bus segment has rebounded significantly since 2022, reflecting strategic pricing and strong demand, despite previous volatility. The Parts segment shows steady growth, supporting overall profitability. The latest earnings call highlights record revenue and profit, driven by increased bus prices and a robust backlog. However, new tariffs may challenge EV production costs, potentially affecting future margins. Despite these hurdles, Blue Bird's leadership in alternative power vehicles and strategic actions position it well for continued growth in fiscal 2025.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Blue Bird Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: 29.97%|
Next Earnings Date:Dec 10, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted Blue Bird's record-breaking revenue and growth, strong EV sales, and increased guidance for the fiscal year, indicating a positive outlook. However, challenges related to tariff-induced pricing uncertainties and order backlog reductions were noted. Despite these challenges, the company's strategic initiatives and operational improvements convey a strong, positive sentiment.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Revenue and Growth
Blue Bird reported record sales of $398 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, which is $65 million or 20% higher than the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter also reached a record $58 million, $10 million stronger than last year.
Strong EV Performance
EV sales in Q3 were a record 271 units, which is 67 units or 33% higher than last year. The company remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for EVs despite some tariff-related uncertainties.
Increased Guidance for Fiscal Year
Blue Bird increased its full-year guidance to $210 million adjusted EBITDA, with an expected revenue of approximately $1.45 billion.
Successful Operational Improvements
Operational improvements and lean manufacturing principles contributed to a gross margin increase of 80 basis points, achieving 21.6%.
New Share Repurchase Program
A new stock buyback program for up to $100 million over the next 2 years was announced, reflecting confidence in future performance.
Negative Updates
Order and Backlog Challenges
The uncertainty created by tariff volatility led to a reduction in industry backlog, including Blue Bird's, which now stands at 3,900 units.
Tariff Impact on Pricing
The volatility in tariffs has created pricing uncertainties, causing school districts to delay orders until the situation stabilizes.
Company Guidance
In the Blue Bird Fiscal 2025 Third Quarter Earnings Call, the company reported record sales and adjusted EBITDA, surpassing Q3 guidance and raising full-year projections despite challenges from tariff policies. The quarter saw sales of 2,467 buses, generating $398 million in revenue, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $58 million, a $10 million increase from the prior year. The EV segment contributed 271 units, with long-term outlooks remaining optimistic. The company maintained a backlog of 3,900 units, described as "in the sweet spot," and highlighted operational execution and future manufacturing strategies, including production automation. Blue Bird increased its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $210 million, reflecting strong business momentum and strategic cost management, while announcing a new $100 million share repurchase program.

Blue Bird Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Blue Bird shows strong revenue growth and improving profitability, with a robust cash flow performance. However, the balance sheet indicates a high reliance on liabilities, which could pose financial risks.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Blue Bird has demonstrated a strong revenue growth trajectory, with a significant increase in total revenue from 2022 to TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The company's gross profit margin and net profit margin have improved over the years, indicating enhanced operational efficiency and profitability. However, the EBIT margin has experienced fluctuations, suggesting potential volatility in operating expenses.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company has shown improvement in its debt-to-equity ratio, reflecting a more balanced capital structure. The return on equity (ROE) has increased significantly, indicating better utilization of equity investments. However, the equity ratio remains low, highlighting a higher reliance on liabilities, which could pose financial risks.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Blue Bird's cash flow performance is strong, with consistent free cash flow generation and a positive free cash flow growth rate. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust, suggesting efficient cash conversion. However, fluctuations in investing and financing cash flows indicate potential volatility in investment activities.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.42B1.35B1.13B800.64M684.00M879.22M
Gross Profit276.70M256.16M138.85M36.55M72.14M96.20M
EBITDA167.60M152.34M60.92M-23.23M21.95M37.14M
Net Income115.89M105.55M23.81M-41.60M-787.00K8.97M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets575.45M524.89M417.77M366.13M356.02M317.42M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments173.07M127.69M78.99M10.48M11.71M44.51M
Total Debt91.49M95.97M131.91M172.33M215.29M181.26M
Total Liabilities353.60M365.33M377.77M364.74M388.68M370.64M
Stockholders Equity221.85M159.56M40.00M1.38M-32.66M-53.23M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow152.13M95.85M111.41M-30.89M-66.45M-15.51M
Operating Cash Flow166.45M111.11M119.93M-24.44M-54.24M3.46M
Investing Cash Flow-24.74M-15.81M-8.52M-6.45M-11.31M-18.80M
Financing Cash Flow-57.05M-46.60M-42.90M29.66M32.75M-11.11M

Blue Bird Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price57.37
Price Trends
50DMA
45.13
Positive
100DMA
40.74
Positive
200DMA
39.71
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
3.49
Negative
RSI
81.11
Negative
STOCH
78.93
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For BLBD, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 57.37 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 48.46, above the 50-day MA of 45.13, and above the 200-day MA of 39.71, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 3.49 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 81.11 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 78.93 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for BLBD.

Blue Bird Risk Analysis

Blue Bird disclosed 41 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Blue Bird reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Blue Bird Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$1.79B16.3864.54%9.31%17.38%
61
Neutral
€477.86M-17.35-0.18%2.50%1.83%-431.69%
55
Neutral
$292.87M-186.28%8.52%98.75%
44
Neutral
$16.77M-201.87%11.73%74.79%
42
Neutral
$774.20M-70.02%-31.27%13.28%
41
Neutral
$6.20M-132.63%-47.62%8.33%
40
Neutral
$29.51M-31.82%7.86%-22.19%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
BLBD
Blue Bird
57.37
9.50
19.85%
WKHS
Workhorse Group
1.65
-13.60
-89.18%
CENN
Cenntro Electric Group
0.56
-0.89
-61.38%
EVTV
Envirotech Vehicles
1.82
-18.38
-90.99%
FFAI
Faraday Future Intelligent Electric
2.77
-1.22
-30.58%
LVWR
LiveWire Group
3.55
-3.18
-47.25%

Blue Bird Corporate Events

Stock Buyback
Blue Bird Announces $100 Million Share Buyback Plan
Positive
Aug 7, 2025

On August 5, 2025, Blue Bird Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program for up to $100 million of its common stock, set to run until January 1, 2028. This initiative allows the company to buy back shares through various methods, with the flexibility to adjust or terminate the program as needed, potentially impacting the company’s stock value and shareholder returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (BLBD) stock is a Hold with a $48.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Blue Bird stock, see the BLBD Stock Forecast page.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Blue Bird Announces Record Q3 Results and Share Buyback
Positive
Aug 6, 2025

On August 6, 2025, Blue Bird Corporation announced its fiscal 2025 third quarter results, reporting record net sales of $398 million and a GAAP net income of $36 million. The company exceeded its third-quarter guidance and raised its full-year financial outlook, with an adjusted EBITDA guidance increased to $210 million. Blue Bird also announced a $100 million share buy-back program, reflecting its strong market position and commitment to shareholder value. The company highlighted its successful expansion in the electric bus market, with a record 271 electric buses delivered in the quarter and a robust backlog of 1,200 EV buses, supporting its 2025 sales targets.

The most recent analyst rating on (BLBD) stock is a Hold with a $48.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Blue Bird stock, see the BLBD Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 14, 2025