tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
L. B. Foster Company (FSTR)
:FSTR
Advertisement

L. B. Foster Company (FSTR) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
114 Followers

Top Page

FSTR

L. B. Foster Company

(NASDAQ:FSTR)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$24.50
▲(2.98%Upside)
L.B. Foster's overall stock score reflects its strong valuation and improved financial flexibility following the credit agreement expansion. While profitability and technical indicators are favorable, challenges in revenue growth and cash flow, along with potential overbought conditions, temper the score. Optimism from the earnings call and strategic initiatives provide additional support to the stock's outlook.

L. B. Foster Company (FSTR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

L. B. Foster Company Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionL.B. Foster Company provides engineered and manufactured products and services for the building and infrastructure projects worldwide. The company's Rail, Technologies, and Services segment offers new rail to passenger and short line freight railroads, industrial companies, and rail contractors; used rails; rail accessories, including track spikes and anchors, bolts, angle bars, tie plates, and other products; power rail, direct fixation fasteners, coverboards, and special accessories; and trackwork products, as well as engineers and manufactures insulated rail joints and related accessories. This segment also provides friction management products and application systems, railroad condition monitoring systems and equipment, wheel impact load detection systems, wayside data collection and management systems, track fasteners, and engineered concrete railroad ties; and aftermarket services. Its Precast Concrete Products segment offers a range of specialty precast concrete products, such as sound walls, burial vaults, bridge beams, box culverts, septic tanks, and other custom pre-stressed products for use in transportation and general infrastructure markets. This segment also manufactures precast concrete buildings for use as restrooms, concession stands, and protective storage buildings in national, state, and municipal parks. The company's Steel Products and Measurement segment provides bridge decking, bridge railing, structural steel fabrications, expansion joints, bridge forms, and other products for highway construction and repair. This segment also produces threaded pipe products for industrial water well, irrigation, and oil and gas markets, as well as offers pipe coatings for oil and gas pipelines and utilities, and precision measurement systems for the oil and gas market. The company markets its products directly, as well as through a network of agents. L.B. Foster Company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How the Company Makes MoneyL. B. Foster Company generates revenue through its diversified product and service offerings across its three primary segments. The Rail Technologies and Services segment earns income by selling and servicing rail infrastructure components, including track accessories and signaling systems. The Construction Products segment contributes to revenue by providing engineered concrete and steel solutions for infrastructure projects such as bridges and tunnels. The Tubular and Energy Services segment makes money through the sale of coated and lined pipe products and other related services that cater to the oil and gas industry. The company's revenue is further bolstered by strategic partnerships and long-term contracts with key industry players, as well as its ability to adapt its offerings to meet evolving market demands and regulatory requirements.

L. B. Foster Company Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 16.16%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 12, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture with significant growth in infrastructure sales, backlog, and orders, while also highlighting challenges in the Rail segment and increased net debt. The sentiment reflects optimism for future quarters based on improved backlog and order rates, but also acknowledges the current financial pressures from the Rail segment's performance.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Infrastructure Sales Growth
Infrastructure sales grew 5% over last year, driven by a 33.7% increase in Precast Concrete sales.
Rail Backlog Increase
Rail backlog increased by 46.9% during the quarter, indicating improved project funding and bidding levels.
Order and Backlog Growth
Order rates increased 39.1% sequentially and 12.6% over last year, translating into a backlog increase of $51.3 million during the quarter.
Share Buyback Program
A new three-year, $40 million stock buyback program was authorized, with approximately 1.5% of shares repurchased in the first quarter.
Improved Infrastructure Orders
Infrastructure orders were up 35.3% over the prior year quarter, with a $12 million backlog increase in Protective Coatings.
Negative Updates
Rail Segment Sales Decline
Rail segment sales were down 34.6% due to weak Rail distribution demand, leading to a 69.3% decrease in adjusted EBITDA.
Net Debt Increase
Net debt increased to $79.9 million during the quarter, with the gross leverage ratio rising to 2.5 times compared to 2.2 times last year.
Decline in Gross Profit Margin
Gross profit margin declined by 50 basis points to 20.6% due to lower Rail sales and unfavorable mix within the Rail segment.
Negative Operating Cash Flow
Operating cash flow was a use of $26.1 million, reflecting normal seasonal patterns and increased working capital needs.
Company Guidance
During L.B. Foster's first quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance indicating that despite a challenging start to the year—with first quarter sales down 21.3% driven by a 34.6% decline in the Rail segment—they remain optimistic about the rest of 2025. The decline in the Rail segment was offset by a 5% increase in Infrastructure sales, primarily due to a 33.7% rise in Precast Concrete sales. The company reported a 46.9% increase in rail backlog during the quarter. Order rates improved by 39.1% sequentially and 12.6% over last year, resulting in a backlog at quarter-end of $237.2 million, up $51.3 million during the quarter and $15 million year-over-year. Despite the first quarter's softness, L.B. Foster is maintaining its full-year guidance, citing strong backlog growth and favorable demand drivers. The company's net debt increased to $79.9 million, with a gross leverage ratio of 2.5 times. They expect improved sales volumes and profitability in the second quarter, aligning with typical seasonal patterns.

L. B. Foster Company Financial Statement Overview

Summary
L. B. Foster Company demonstrates strong profitability margins and has improved its return on equity significantly. However, the company faces challenges in revenue growth and cash flow generation, which may impact future financial flexibility. The balance sheet remains stable with reasonable leverage, but attention to cash flow management is needed to support growth and operational needs.
Income Statement
74
Positive
The company exhibited a positive trend in profitability with a TTM gross profit margin of 22.22% and net profit margin of 7.22%, reflecting efficient cost management. However, the revenue growth rate was negative at -5.00% from 2024 to 2025, indicating a decline in sales. The EBIT margin in TTM was 2.57%, showing moderate operational efficiency, while EBITDA margin was 5.33%, suggesting healthy core earnings before depreciation and amortization.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60 in TTM, indicating moderate leverage. The return on equity (ROE) improved significantly to 21.31% in TTM, highlighting effective use of shareholders' funds. The equity ratio stood at 49.83% in TTM, showing a balanced capital structure, though slightly lower compared to previous periods.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Operating cash flow to net income ratio in TTM was 0.49, indicating moderate cash conversion efficiency. The free cash flow to net income ratio was 0.23, reflecting limited free cash flow generation relative to net income. Free cash flow growth rate was -35.49% from 2024 to TTM, showing decreased cash availability for reinvestment or debt reduction.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue504.24M530.76M543.74M497.50M513.62M497.41M
Gross Profit112.04M118.06M112.81M89.61M86.30M95.01M
EBITDA26.90M34.82M22.94M9.21M20.48M31.03M
Net Income36.40M42.95M1.46M-45.56M3.63M7.58M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets342.83M334.55M312.40M365.31M342.60M370.39M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.61M2.45M2.56M2.88M10.37M7.56M
Total Debt102.61M61.65M67.14M106.04M43.53M58.54M
Total Liabilities171.23M155.54M169.57M227.71M158.99M193.56M
Stockholders Equity170.79M178.32M142.11M137.18M183.09M176.83M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow8.29M12.84M32.44M-18.21M-5.68M7.74M
Operating Cash Flow17.94M22.63M37.38M-10.58M-1.06M16.92M
Investing Cash Flow-10.10M-6.31M2.49M-56.42M17.82M-8.04M
Financing Cash Flow-8.71M-16.23M-39.30M60.24M-13.90M-15.30M

L. B. Foster Company Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price23.79
Price Trends
50DMA
20.87
Positive
100DMA
20.56
Positive
200DMA
22.94
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.66
Positive
RSI
61.58
Neutral
STOCH
23.15
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FSTR, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 23.79 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 23.19, above the 50-day MA of 20.87, and above the 200-day MA of 22.94, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.66 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 61.58 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 23.15 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for FSTR.

L. B. Foster Company Risk Analysis

L. B. Foster Company disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. L. B. Foster Company 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

L. B. Foster Company Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (59)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
$36.26B33.2110.84%0.42%5.21%24.15%
75
Outperform
$254.06M7.2923.08%-8.75%354.10%
73
Outperform
$2.19B16.4914.14%4.40%-9.40%8.41%
72
Outperform
$303.40M48.384.71%3.51%33.35%
70
Outperform
$1.51B6.8916.16%2.62%0.71%84.57%
59
Neutral
AU$1.67B10.3311.24%3.44%6.75%3.18%
58
Neutral
$220.63M156.43%12.58%34.10%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FSTR
L. B. Foster Company
24.06
0.85
3.66%
EVI
EVI Industries
24.96
4.02
19.20%
RAIL
Freightcar America
11.32
8.13
254.86%
GBX
Greenbrier
49.05
1.16
2.42%
TRN
Trinity Industries
26.07
-5.95
-18.58%
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies
200.70
42.34
26.74%

L. B. Foster Company Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
L.B. Foster Expands Credit Agreement to $150 Million
Positive
Jun 30, 2025

On June 27, 2025, L.B. Foster Company entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with several banks, expanding its borrowing capacity from $130 million to $150 million and extending the maturity date to June 27, 2030. This agreement, which includes improved pricing and more flexible covenants, is designed to support the company’s strategic growth in its core platforms of Rail Technologies and Precast Concrete, enhancing its ability to invest in growth programs and corporate finance initiatives.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSTR) stock is a Hold with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on L. B. Foster Company stock, see the FSTR Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
L.B. Foster Approves 2025 Equity Compensation Plan
Neutral
May 27, 2025

On May 22, 2025, L.B. Foster Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders where the 2025 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan was approved, authorizing the issuance of 785,000 shares of common stock. Additionally, all nominated directors were elected, Ernst & Young LLP’s appointment as the independent auditor was ratified, and executive compensation for 2024 was approved.

The most recent analyst rating on (FSTR) stock is a Hold with a $25.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on L. B. Foster Company stock, see the FSTR 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: Jul 01, 2025