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Federal Signal Corp. (FSS)
NYSE:FSS

Federal Signal (FSS) AI Stock Analysis

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FSS

Federal Signal

(NYSE:FSS)

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Outperform 76 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$132.00
▲(15.27% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by strong underlying financial performance and a bullish earnings update with raised full-year guidance and record order intake. Technicals are supportive but somewhat stretched, while valuation (high P/E and low yield) meaningfully tempers the overall rating.
Positive Factors
Low Financial Leverage
A very low debt-to-equity ratio and high equity share provide durable financial flexibility. This capital structure supports sustained investment in capex and M&A, reduces refinancing risk in downturns, and preserves the company's ability to fund growth initiatives without stressing liquidity.
Margin and Profitability Trends
Improving gross and stable net margins reflect durable operational improvements and pricing power across product lines. Higher margins support reinvestment, buffer cyclical volatility in municipal spending, and increase long-term cash flow generation capacity for strategic priorities.
Market Position and Recurring Demand
Leading share in specialty vehicles and safety products combined with publicly funded end-market exposure creates resilient, recurring demand. Strong aftermarket parts businesses and long-term municipal contracts underpin predictable revenue and justify continued investment in product and service capabilities.
Negative Factors
Free Cash Flow Weakness
A negative trend in free cash flow growth, if persistent, could constrain the company's ability to fund acquisitions, capex, dividends, or buybacks. Even with healthy cash conversion ratios, ongoing FCF contraction reduces financial optionality and warrants monitoring of operating working capital and capex execution.
Backlog Decline From Product Transition
A 4% backlog decline tied to transitioning refuse-truck offerings reduces near-term revenue visibility. Product platform migrations often span multiple quarters, creating timing risk for deliveries and complicating capacity planning, which can pressure short-to-medium-term organic growth despite strategic benefits.
Extended Lead Times in Key Lines
Very long lead times in certain product lines signal supply-chain or capacity constraints that can delay revenue realization and strain customer relationships. These structural fulfilment issues may require sustained investment in manufacturing or supply chain changes before throughput and service levels normalize.

Federal Signal (FSS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Federal Signal Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFederal Signal Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and supplies a suite of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial, and commercial customers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Environmental Solutions Group, and Safety and Security Systems Group. The Environmental Solutions Group segment offers a range of street sweepers, safe-digging trucks ,sewer cleaners, industrial vacuum loaders, vacuum, and hydro-excavation trucks; road-marking, line-removal and waterblasting equipment, dump truck bodies, trailers, and metal extraction support equipment under the Elgin, Vactor, Guzzler, TRUVAC, Westech, Jetstream, Mark Rite Lines, Ox Bodies, Crysteel, J-Craft, Duraclass, Rugby, Travis, OSW, NTE, WTB, Ground Force, Bucks, and Switch-N-Go brand names. It also offers refuse and recycling collection vehicles, camera systems, ice resurfacing equipment, and snow-removal equipment, as well as safety, and security systems. In addition, this segment engages in the sale of parts, service and repair, equipment rental, and training activities. The Safety and Security Systems Group segment provides systems and products for community alerting, emergency vehicles, first responder interoperable communications, and industrial communications. Its products include vehicle lightbars and sirens, industrial signaling equipment, public warning systems, general alarm systems, and public address systems. This segment sells its products under the Federal Signal, Federal Signal VAMA, and Victor brand names. The company sells its products through wholesaler, distributor, independent manufacturer representative, original equipment manufacturer, and direct sales force, as well as independent foreign distributor. Federal Signal Corporation was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyFederal Signal generates revenue through the sale of its diverse range of products and services across its two primary segments. Key revenue streams include the sale of emergency warning systems, industrial cleaning equipment, and environmental services. The company benefits from long-term contracts with municipalities and government agencies, providing a stable income source. Additionally, FSS engages in partnerships with other technology firms to integrate advanced solutions, which helps to increase market presence and sales. The company's focus on research and development also allows it to innovate and introduce new products that meet evolving market needs, further contributing to its earnings.

Federal Signal Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a positive sentiment with record financial performance, strong order intake, and successful acquisition integration despite challenges in backlog reduction due to the transition in refuse truck offerings and continued lead time issues in specific product lines.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Third Quarter Financial Performance
Federal Signal Corporation reported record third quarter results with a 17% year-over-year net sales growth, a 24% increase in operating income, and a 130 basis point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin. Adjusted EPS was up 30% from the previous year.
Strong Order Intake and Backlog
The company recorded a third quarter order intake of $467 million, the highest ever for a third quarter, representing a 10% year-over-year increase. Despite a 4% decline in backlog, the strong order intake provides excellent visibility into 2026.
Robust Performance in ESG and SSG Segments
Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) and Safety and Security Systems Group (SSG) both showed significant growth. ESG's net sales increased by 17% and SSG's by 18% year-over-year. SSG's adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 220 basis points.
Successful Integration of Acquisitions
Recent acquisitions like Hog Technologies and Standard contributed positively to the top line, with Hog exceeding initial financial estimates.
Expansion and Investment Initiatives
The company executed a new 5-year $1.5 billion credit facility to support growth initiatives and future acquisitions. Additionally, significant investments are being made in productivity-enhancing projects and strategic growth initiatives.
Negative Updates
Decrease in Backlog Due to Transition in Refuse Truck Offerings
The backlog decreased by 4% year-over-year, primarily due to an 85% decline in third-party refuse truck orders as the company transitions to New Way refuse truck offerings.
Challenges with Lead Times
Certain product lines, such as 4-wheel sweepers, continue to experience long lead times ranging from 12 to 18 months, indicating ongoing challenges in production capacity.
Increased Corporate Operating Expenses
Corporate operating expenses increased due to higher acquisition and integration-related costs, impacting overall profitability.
Company Guidance
During the Federal Signal Corporation's third-quarter earnings call, the company updated its guidance for the fiscal year 2025, highlighting various metrics reflecting strong performance and growth initiatives. The company reported a 17% year-over-year increase in net sales, amounting to $555 million in Q3 2025, with an organic net sales growth of 11%. Consolidated operating income rose by 24% to $94 million, and adjusted EBITDA grew by 25% to $116.2 million, translating to a margin increase of 130 basis points to 20.9%. Earnings per share (EPS) on a GAAP basis were $1.11, up by 28%, while adjusted EPS was $1.14, showing a 30% increase. The company also achieved a record third-quarter order intake of $467 million, a 10% rise from the previous year, although backlog declined by 4% to $992 million. Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) and Safety and Security Systems Group (SSG) both showed significant gains, with ESG reporting a 17% increase in net sales to $466 million and SSG recording an 18% rise to $90 million. Federal Signal's full-year adjusted EPS outlook was raised to a range of $4.09 to $4.17, and the net sales outlook was increased to $2.1 billion to $2.14 billion, reflecting the company's confidence in sustained demand and strategic growth initiatives.

Federal Signal Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Federal Signal demonstrates strong financial health with consistent revenue growth and profitability. The company maintains a stable balance sheet with low leverage and effective equity utilization. While cash flow generation is robust, the recent decline in free cash flow growth is a point to monitor.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Federal Signal has demonstrated strong revenue growth with a TTM increase of 4.09% and consistent profitability, as evidenced by a solid gross profit margin of 29.04% and a net profit margin of 11.22%. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy at 15.37% and 19.05%, respectively, indicating efficient operational management. The company has shown a positive revenue growth trajectory over the years, contributing to its high income statement score.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, reflecting prudent financial leverage. The return on equity is robust at 18.97%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds to generate profits. The equity ratio stands at 68.19%, indicating a strong equity base relative to total assets. While the balance sheet is stable, the score is slightly moderated by the need for continued equity growth to support expansion.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Federal Signal's cash flow performance is solid, with an operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.97, indicating strong cash generation relative to net income. However, the free cash flow growth rate has declined by 3.00% in the TTM, which slightly impacts the cash flow score. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.89 suggests efficient cash conversion, but the recent decline in free cash flow growth warrants attention.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.06B1.86B1.72B1.43B1.21B1.13B
Gross Profit590.00M533.00M450.20M344.90M288.70M293.60M
EBITDA397.70M341.70M283.10M215.90M172.50M175.10M
Net Income235.80M216.30M157.40M120.40M100.60M96.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.94B1.77B1.62B1.52B1.37B1.21B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments54.40M91.10M61.00M47.50M40.50M81.70M
Total Debt243.10M252.40M320.70M388.40M313.70M233.70M
Total Liabilities616.70M579.10M618.60M663.40M582.10M506.70M
Stockholders Equity1.32B1.19B1.00B860.90M784.00M702.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow219.70M190.70M164.10M18.80M64.40M106.50M
Operating Cash Flow248.10M231.30M194.40M71.80M101.80M136.20M
Investing Cash Flow-149.40M-78.90M-83.70M-99.70M-168.70M-34.40M
Financing Cash Flow-118.20M-121.00M-97.90M35.50M26.40M-53.40M

Federal Signal Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price114.51
Price Trends
50DMA
111.81
Positive
100DMA
117.10
Negative
200DMA
108.25
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.29
Negative
RSI
60.38
Neutral
STOCH
75.37
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FSS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 114.51 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 113.57, above the 50-day MA of 111.81, and above the 200-day MA of 108.25, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.29 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 60.38 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.37 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for FSS.

Federal Signal Risk Analysis

Federal Signal disclosed 21 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Federal Signal reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Federal Signal Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$7.91B42.0711.76%0.80%6.88%42.07%
76
Outperform
$7.11B30.5219.08%0.49%11.83%11.08%
75
Outperform
$2.36B47.3618.85%29.86%331.33%
71
Outperform
$4.66B23.8271.52%0.39%3.72%11.71%
68
Neutral
$757.50M42.029.41%0.10%1.50%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
55
Neutral
$2.00B-8.16-147.56%12.57%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FSS
Federal Signal
114.51
17.86
18.48%
CECO
Ceco Environmental
67.04
37.44
126.49%
ERII
Energy Recovery
14.30
-0.47
-3.18%
ZWS
Zurn Water Solutions
47.27
9.45
24.99%
PCT
PureCycle Technologies
11.76
2.18
22.76%
ATMU
Atmus Filtration Technologies, Inc.
56.68
14.68
34.95%

Federal Signal Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Federal Signal completes acquisition of specialty vehicle maker
Positive
Jan 16, 2026

On January 16, 2026, Federal Signal Corporation completed its acquisition of Mega Corp., a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles and equipment serving global metal extraction and construction markets, following the signing of a definitive agreement announced on December 18, 2025. The deal expands Federal Signal’s presence in the global metal extraction support equipment market, deepens its specialty vehicle platform by combining Mega with its existing Ground Force and TowHaul businesses, and is expected to strengthen its growth prospects through a complementary product portfolio, shared customer base and enhanced global reach, with management indicating the acquisition should be accretive to earnings and cash flow in 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSS) stock is a Buy with a $133.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Federal Signal stock, see the FSS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
Federal Signal Highlights Growth, Investments in Investor Presentation
Positive
Jan 14, 2026

On January 14, 2026, Federal Signal Corporation posted an investor presentation to its website outlining its financial profile, business mix and recent strategic investments, including capacity expansions and acquisitions such as Hog Technologies and New Way, which will bolster its specialty vehicle platform but did not contribute to 2024 sales. The materials highlight that the company generated approximately $2.06 billion in last-twelve-month net sales through the third quarter of 2025, has delivered a roughly 13% net sales CAGR from 2016 to 2024 with average five-year cash conversion of 106%, maintains low leverage at 0.4x net debt to EBITDA, and holds top-tier market share positions across key vehicle and safety product categories, underscoring resilient, largely publicly funded end-market exposure and a disciplined capital deployment strategy focused on M&A, capex, dividends and share repurchases.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSS) stock is a Buy with a $123.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Federal Signal stock, see the FSS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Federal Signal to Acquire Mega Corp in Cash Deal
Positive
Dec 18, 2025

On December 17–18, 2025, Federal Signal announced a definitive agreement to acquire Mega Corp., a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles and equipment used in global metal extraction and construction markets, for $45.5 million in cash, including Mega’s manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mega, which generated about $40 million in net sales in 2024 with a sizable aftermarket parts business, will deepen Federal Signal’s presence in the metal extraction support equipment market and align with its existing Ground Force and TowHaul operations, with management highlighting opportunities to leverage complementary products, shared customers and expanded global reach. The deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 subject to customary conditions, is projected to be accretive to Federal Signal’s earnings and cash flow in 2026 and will add approximately 95 Mega employees to the company, reinforcing its specialty vehicle platform and aftermarket service capabilities.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSS) stock is a Buy with a $124.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Federal Signal stock, see the FSS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Federal Signal Completes Acquisition of New Way Trucks
Positive
Dec 1, 2025

On November 25, 2025, Federal Signal Corporation completed the acquisition of Scranton Manufacturing Company LLC, known as New Way Trucks, for an initial purchase price of $396 million, with additional consideration for real estate. This acquisition, which adds New Way’s expertise in refuse collection vehicles to Federal Signal’s portfolio, is expected to enhance growth and margins, despite being neutral to adjusted EPS in 2025 and 2026. The company has raised its full-year 2025 net sales and adjusted EPS outlooks, anticipating long-term value creation and EPS accretion by 2028.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSS) stock is a Hold with a $112.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Federal Signal stock, see the FSS 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: Jan 17, 2026