tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Greenbrier Companies (GBX)
NYSE:GBX

Greenbrier (GBX) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
391 Followers

Top Page

GBX

Greenbrier

(NYSE:GBX)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$57.00
▲(1.03% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/04/26
The score is anchored by mixed financial fundamentals: improved profitability and returns, but pressured recent revenue trends, high leverage, and uneven free cash flow. Offsetting this, technicals are positive with the stock above major moving averages, valuation is compelling with a low P/E and a dividend, and the earnings call supported confidence via reiterated FY2026 guidance and strong liquidity despite demand uncertainty.
Positive Factors
Recurring leasing & diversified revenue
High lease utilization and strong renewals create a durable, recurring revenue stream that smooths cyclicality from new‑build orders. Recurring leasing cash flows support steady EBITDA, improve predictability for financing and underwriting of fleet investments over the medium term.
Improved profitability and margins
Material margin recovery and rising net income indicate better operational leverage and pricing mix, giving the company a margin cushion against volume weakness. Sustained higher margins enhance cash generation capacity and support ROIC targets over the next several quarters.
Strong liquidity and access to long-term financing
Successful long-dated ABS and high quarter liquidity (~$895M) show durable access to capital and investor confidence in fleet cash flows. This reduces refinancing risk, enables opportunistic fleet investments, and supports leasing expansion without immediate balance-sheet strain.
Negative Factors
Top-line contraction and demand uncertainty
A pronounced revenue decline raises the risk that recent margin gains are not sustainable if volumes remain weak. Prolonged demand weakness from freight and trade-policy uncertainty can compress manufacturing throughput, worsen absorption of fixed costs, and rebound slowly over multiple quarters.
Elevated leverage
Above‑average debt levels reduce financial flexibility in a cyclical capital‑goods business. Elevated leverage increases interest and covenant sensitivity, limiting ability to invest or buy back stock during downturns and making the company more reliant on steady leasing cash flows and external financing.
Inconsistent free cash flow
Volatile and sometimes negative free cash flow signals heavy capex, working-capital swings or fleet investments that can impair debt paydown and capital allocation. Persistent FCF variability raises refinancing and dividend sustainability concerns without sustained margin and volume recovery.

Greenbrier (GBX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Greenbrier Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionThe Greenbrier Companies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America. It operates through three segments: Manufacturing; Wheels, Repair & Parts; and Leasing & Services. The Manufacturing segment offers conventional railcars, such as covered hopper cars, boxcars, center partition cars, and bulkhead flat cars; tank cars; double-stack intermodal railcars; auto-max and multi-max products for the transportation of light vehicles; pressurized tank cars, non-pressurized tank cars, flat cars, coil cars, gondolas, sliding wall cars, and automobile transporter cars; and marine vessels. The Wheels, Repair & Parts segment provides wheel services, including reconditioning of wheels and axles, new axle machining and finishing, and downsizing; operates a railcar repair, refurbishment, and maintenance network; and reconditions and manufactures railcar cushioning units, couplers, yokes, side frames, bolsters, and various other parts, as well as produces roofs, doors, and associated parts for boxcars. The Leasing & Services segment offers operating leases and 'per diem' leases for a fleet of approximately 8,800 railcars; and management services comprising railcar maintenance management, railcar accounting services, fleet management and logistics, administration, and railcar remarketing. This segment owns or provides management services to a fleet of approximately 444,000 railcars for railroads, shippers, carriers, institutional investors, and other leasing and transportation companies. The company serves railroads, leasing companies, financial institutions, shippers, carriers, and transportation companies. The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
How the Company Makes MoneyGreenbrier generates revenue through multiple key streams, primarily from the sale of new railcars and the provision of railcar repair and refurbishment services. The company manufactures various types of railcars, which are sold to railroads and leasing companies, contributing significantly to its top line. In addition to new railcar sales, Greenbrier earns income from its aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and parts sales, which ensure ongoing revenue from its existing railcar fleet. Strategic partnerships with major railroads and leasing companies enhance its market presence and facilitate consistent orders. Additionally, Greenbrier's involvement in international markets allows it to tap into diverse revenue sources, benefiting from global demand for rail transportation solutions.

Greenbrier Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 08, 2026
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 13, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call emphasized disciplined execution, strong liquidity, solid Q1 financial results (revenue, margins, EPS, EBITDA) and resilient leasing performance. Management reiterated FY2026 guidance and highlighted order momentum, backlog stability and opportunistic fleet transactions. Key near-term challenges include demand timing uncertainty driven by freight volumes and trade policy, moderated production with workforce adjustments (primarily Mexico) and European restructuring-related inefficiencies. On balance, the positives (liquidity, recurring leasing earnings, order momentum, stable backlog, and guidance reiteration) outweigh the near-term operational and demand-related headwinds.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Solid Quarterly Financials
Q1 revenue of $706 million; aggregate gross margin of 15%; operating income of $61 million (~9% of revenue); diluted EPS of $1.14; EBITDA of $98 million (~14% of revenue).
Strong Liquidity and Cash Generation
Q1 liquidity highest in 20 quarters at over $895 million (more than $300 million cash on hand and $535 million available borrowing capacity); operating cash flow of $76 million for the quarter.
Recurring Earnings from Leasing Business
Lease fleet utilization nearly 98% with strong retention; renewals showing double-digit year-over-year increases; approximately 1,500–1,800 leases were up for renewal entering the fiscal year with ~35% already renewed.
Order Momentum and Backlog
Received global orders for ~3,700 railcars valued at roughly $550 million (average ASP ~ $150k driven by specialty cars); backlog roughly steady at ~16,300 units valued at about $2.2 billion.
Capital Allocation Discipline and Shareholder Returns
Declared $0.32 quarterly dividend (47th consecutive quarterly dividend); repurchased ~$13 million of shares in Q1 with ~ $65 million remaining authorization; opportunistic fleet sales generated a gain of ~$17.7 million (~$0.30 EPS impact this quarter).
Reiterated FY2026 Guidance
Guidance maintained for FY26: new railcar deliveries 17,500–20,500 units; revenue $2.7B–$3.2B; aggregate gross margin 16%–16.5%; operating margin 9%–9.5%; EPS $3.75–$4.75.
Return on Invested Capital In Line with Target
12-month return on invested capital of 10%, within the company's FY2026 target range of 10%–14%.
Operational Efficiency Actions
Proactive alignment of production with demand, continued overhead optimization and process improvement initiatives; manufacturing footprint adjustments (including targeted headcount reductions) intended to improve structural efficiency and scale economics as demand recovers.
Negative Updates
Demand Uncertainty and Customer Caution
Customers remain circumspect on capital investments due to current freight volumes, trade policy uncertainty and improving rail service/velocity, delaying near-term new railcar orders and creating 'white space' in summer ordering cadence.
Moderated Production and Workforce Reductions
Production rates moderated and headcount reductions occurred primarily in Mexico to align capacity with current demand; additional modest rate adjustments expected in Q2.
European Market Challenges
European performance affected by operating inefficiencies during ongoing restructuring and rightsizing initiatives, with associated near-term costs and volatility in results.
Pressure on Lease Rates for Commoditized Cars
While specialty and tank car lease rates held stable, lease rates for more commoditized cars have been pressured; overall discipline emphasized to maintain pricing and return thresholds.
Quarter-to-Quarter Margin Variability
Management highlighted quarter-to-quarter variability in margins driven by lower production/absorbed fixed costs and mix effects; manufacturing margins expected to be stronger in the back half of the year versus the first half.
Trade Policy and Tariff Uncertainty
Tariff and trade policy uncertainty has created a pause in some customer decisions; although tariffs have been neutral to financials so far, the uncertainty remains a headwind to ordering timing.
Company Guidance
Greenbrier reiterated fiscal 2026 guidance calling for new railcar deliveries of 17,500–20,500 units (including ~1,500 in Greenbrier‑Maxion Brazil), revenue of $2.7–$3.2 billion, aggregate gross margin of 16.0–16.5%, operating margin of 9.0–9.5% and diluted EPS of $3.75–$4.75; they forecast manufacturing capital expenditures of about $80 million, gross investment in leasing and fleet management of roughly $205 million (with expected equipment sale proceeds of about $165 million) and noted trailing‑12‑month ROIC of 10% with a 2026 ROIC target of 10–14%, while flagging the potential to opportunistically increase used‑equipment investments above plan.

Greenbrier Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Earnings and operating margins improved materially (net income up through 2025; EBIT margin ~12% in 2025), but the recent revenue contraction (including sharp TTM decline) increases cyclical risk. Leverage remains elevated (debt-to-equity ~1.2x–1.3x), and cash-flow quality is mixed due to historically inconsistent and often negative free cash flow despite better operating cash flow.
Income Statement
68
Positive
Profitability has improved materially versus earlier years, with annual net income rising from $62.5M (2023) to $160.1M (2024) and $204.1M (2025), alongside stronger operating profitability (EBIT margin ~12% in 2025 vs ~4% in 2022–2023). However, the top line is weakening: revenue declined in 2024 and 2025 (annual) and fell sharply in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) (-27.1%), which increases the risk that margins and earnings soften if volume/pricing pressure persists.
Balance Sheet
56
Neutral
Leverage is a key constraint: debt relative to equity is consistently high (roughly 1.2x–1.3x in 2022–2025), which reduces financial flexibility in a cyclical industry. Offsetting that, equity has grown (from ~$1.25B in 2023 to ~$1.53B in 2025 annual), and returns on equity have improved meaningfully (about 13% in 2025 vs ~3%–5% in 2021–2023). Overall, the balance sheet is improving, but still levered.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
Cash generation is uneven. Operating cash flow recovered strongly in 2024–2025 (annual) and is solid in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) at ~$402M, but free cash flow has been inconsistent and often negative (2021–2024 and slightly negative in 2025 annual), suggesting heavy investment needs or working-capital swings. The very large negative TTM free-cash-flow growth figure also signals volatility, even though TTM free cash flow is positive at ~$123M.
BreakdownTTMAug 2025Aug 2024Aug 2023Aug 2022Aug 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.06B3.23B3.54B3.94B2.98B1.75B
Gross Profit531.30M600.40M553.10M442.10M305.60M232.29M
EBITDA465.70M517.80M450.30M312.10M213.70M131.46M
Net Income185.20M204.10M160.10M62.50M46.90M32.48M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.30B4.36B4.25B3.98B3.85B3.39B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments361.80M326.40M351.80M302.70M559.10M671.40M
Total Debt1.85B1.84B2.17B1.68B1.62B1.24B
Total Liabilities2.56B2.63B2.68B2.51B2.39B1.88B
Stockholders Equity1.54B1.53B1.38B1.25B1.28B1.31B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow123.40M-14.70M-65.80M-284.10M-527.60M-174.19M
Operating Cash Flow402.20M265.70M332.50M78.00M-146.90M-35.17M
Investing Cash Flow-159.60M-203.10M-323.30M-286.80M-227.50M-123.11M
Financing Cash Flow-179.90M-101.70M86.20M-76.20M244.90M-22.74M

Greenbrier Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price56.42
Price Trends
50DMA
51.22
Positive
100DMA
47.56
Positive
200DMA
46.89
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.09
Positive
RSI
58.89
Neutral
STOCH
50.56
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GBX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 56.42 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 55.73, above the 50-day MA of 51.22, and above the 200-day MA of 46.89, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.09 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 58.89 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.56 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for GBX.

Greenbrier Risk Analysis

Greenbrier disclosed 50 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Greenbrier 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

Greenbrier Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$45.01B38.7011.01%0.46%4.40%14.60%
68
Neutral
$1.74B9.7912.54%2.71%-8.66%27.14%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
62
Neutral
$263.86M5.59-6.18%
57
Neutral
$319.38M69.372.74%-5.51%-88.11%
56
Neutral
$2.73B11.2024.37%4.34%-33.03%-44.18%
40
Underperform
$18.50M-0.67-74.03%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GBX
Greenbrier
56.42
3.76
7.14%
RAIL
Freightcar America
13.83
6.18
80.78%
FSTR
L. B. Foster Company
30.73
4.97
19.29%
TRN
Trinity Industries
34.18
5.41
18.79%
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies
263.95
83.20
46.03%
RVSN
Rail Vision Ltd.
8.44
-5.66
-40.15%

Greenbrier Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Greenbrier Completes $300 Million Railcar ABS Financing
Positive
Feb 4, 2026

On February 4, 2026, Greenbrier, through its indirect wholly owned special purpose subsidiary GBX Leasing 2022-1 LLC, completed a $300 million issuance of railcar asset-backed securities comprising Class A and Class B Notes. The Notes, backed by a portfolio of railcars and associated operating leases acquired from GBX Leasing entities, carry fixed interest rates with a blended coupon of 5.2%, long dated legal maturities with targeted amortization, S&P Global Ratings of “AA” and “A,” and are structured as non-recourse obligations of the issuer that will nonetheless be consolidated on Greenbrier’s balance sheet. Proceeds from the transaction, which was privately placed with qualified institutional and certain offshore investors, will be used for general corporate purposes, providing attractive long-term financing to support the continued growth of Greenbrier’s leasing business and its recurring revenue base, while signaling strong investor confidence in the performance, utilization and cash flow profile of the company’s railcar portfolios and manufacturing platform.

The most recent analyst rating on (GBX) stock is a Buy with a $60.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Greenbrier stock, see the GBX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Greenbrier Shareholders Back Board, Compensation and Share Increase
Positive
Jan 9, 2026

On January 7, 2026, The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where investors elected five directors to staggered board terms, including confirming recent appointees Stevan B. Bobb and Jeffrey M. Songer, thereby reinforcing continuity and refreshed oversight at the board level. Shareholders also approved on an advisory basis the 2025 executive compensation program, endorsed amendments to the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, authorized an increase in the number of authorized common shares through amended and restated articles of incorporation, and ratified KPMG LLP as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2026, collectively signaling broad investor support for Greenbrier’s governance, capital structure flexibility and financial reporting oversight.

The most recent analyst rating on (GBX) stock is a Hold with a $56.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Greenbrier stock, see the GBX 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: Feb 04, 2026