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Wabash National Corp (WNC)
NYSE:WNC

Wabash National (WNC) AI Stock Analysis

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WNC

Wabash National

(NYSE:WNC)

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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$12.50
▲(23.15% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/05/26
The score is held back primarily by weak cash flow (negative free cash flow) and cautious near-term guidance with negative margins and expected Q1 losses. Offsetting these are strong technical momentum (price above major moving averages with a positive MACD) and an extremely low P/E with a moderate dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Parts & Services growth
Rapid Parts & Services growth creates higher‑margin, recurring revenue less tied to new trailer cycles. Over time this segment can stabilize cash flow, improve gross margin mix, and provide durable aftermarket income that cushions volatility in new‑unit demand and supports organic margin expansion.
Upfit network expansion
Expanding upfit capacity and geographic footprint diversifies revenue and builds a recurring services pipeline. A larger network enables cross‑selling, faster service turnarounds, and steadier utilization, reducing dependence on volatile new‑trailer orders and improving long‑term customer stickiness and lifetime value.
Liquidity preservation
Maintaining $235M of liquidity and prioritizing ABL paydown gives the firm flexibility through prolonged cyclical troughs. Adequate near‑term liquidity supports restructuring execution, targeted capex, and debt management, reducing short‑term solvency risk and enabling strategic investments when markets recover.
Negative Factors
Weak cash generation
Negative and weakening free cash flow constrains the company's ability to invest, de‑lever, or sustain distributions without tapping liquidity. Persistent FCF shortfalls increase reliance on ABL and available borrowings, elevating refinancing and working‑capital risk during cyclical downturns and delaying balance‑sheet repair.
Thin margins & volatile profitability
Very thin and volatile gross margins expose earnings to small mix or pricing shifts. Competitive pricing pressure and production inefficiencies can quickly flip profits to losses, undermining sustainable returns on capital and making long‑term planning and credit metrics more sensitive to demand swings.
Restructuring costs & production inefficiencies
Idling plants and incurring restructuring charges reflect persistent demand weakness and create near‑term cash and execution burdens. While intended to lower fixed costs long‑term, exit costs, severance and disrupted operations can degrade productivity and customer service, risking margin recovery timing and operational execution.

Wabash National (WNC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Wabash National Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWabash National Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes engineered solutions for the transportation, logistics, and distribution industries primarily in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Transportation Solutions and Parts & Services. The Transportation Solutions segment provides dry van and platform trailers; refrigerated trailers; converter dollies; van bodies for dry-freight transportation; cutaway van bodies for commercial applications; service bodies; insulated van bodies; stake bodies; refrigerated truck bodies; and used trailers, as well as laminated hardwood oak flooring products. This segment also offers stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers for the dairy, food and beverage, oil, gas, and chemical end markets; dry bulk trailers; and fiberglass reinforced poly tank trailers. The Parts & Services segment provides aftermarket parts and services; aluminum and steel flatbed bodies, shelving for package delivery, partitions, roof racks, hitches, liftgates, and thermal solutions; and door repair and replacement, collision repair, and basic maintenance services. This segment also offers stainless steel storage tanks and silos, mixers, and processors for the dairy, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, craft brewing, and biotech end markets; and composite products, including truck bodies, overhead doors, and other industrial application products. The company offers its products under the Wabash, DuraPlate, DuraPlateHD, DuraPlate AeroSkirt, and AeroSkirt CX brands, as well as EcoNex brand. It distributes its products directly, as well as through its retail operations and independent dealers to truckload common carriers, leasing companies, private fleet carriers, less-than-truckload common carriers, and package carriers. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana.
How the Company Makes MoneyWabash National generates revenue primarily through the sale of its trailers and truck bodies to a wide array of customers, including trucking companies, logistics providers, and fleet operators. The company’s revenue model is built on the manufacturing and direct sales of its core products, with key revenue streams coming from new trailer sales, aftermarket parts and services, and leasing options. Additionally, Wabash benefits from strategic partnerships with major logistics companies and has invested in research and development to enhance its product offerings, which provides competitive advantages. The company’s focus on innovation, particularly in fuel efficiency and weight reduction, positions it favorably in a market increasingly concerned with sustainability and operational cost savings.

Wabash National Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 04, 2026
(Q4-2025)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Negative
The call described significant near‑term challenges: negative margins, an adjusted net loss in Q4, plant idlings with noncash charges, negative free cash flow and a cautious Q1 2026 outlook. Offsetting strengths include resilient and fast‑growing Parts & Services (33% YoY), expanding upfit volumes and network footprint, preserved liquidity ($235M), and targeted cost actions expected to yield ~$10M in annualized savings. Management remains cautious but positions the company to scale when the freight recovery materializes and expects 2026 to be an improvement over 2025, though timing is uncertain.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Parts & Services Strong Growth and Profitability
Parts & Services revenue of $64.5M in Q4; segment grew 33% year-over-year and ~6% sequentially; generated operating income of $5.1M (7.9% of sales). Management expects the business to trend toward high‑teens EBITDA over time and to provide durable, higher‑margin recurring revenue through the cycle.
Upfit Volume Expansion and Network Growth
Shipped ~550 upfit units in Q4 and ~2,050 full-year (more than double 2023); opened three new upfit centers in 2025 (Northwest Indiana, Atlanta, Phoenix) and expects to exceed ~2,500 units in 2026, supporting revenue diversification and recurring opportunities.
Liquidity and Balance Sheet Preservation
Liquidity (cash + available borrowings) of $235M at Dec 31; full‑year operating cash generation of $12M. Management emphasized maintaining liquidity and financial flexibility while navigating weak demand.
Cost Realignment Actions with Expected Run‑Rate Savings
Idling of Little Falls and Goshen facilities produced approximately $16M of noncash Q4 charges; actions are projected to deliver ~ $10M of ongoing annualized cost savings as fixed manufacturing overhead and operating expenses are reduced.
Disciplined Capital Allocation
2025 investments included $25M traditional CapEx and $48M in revenue‑generating assets (TAS); returned capital via $34M share repurchases and $13.8M dividends. Q1 2026 maintenance CapEx expected roughly in line with 2025 (~$26M); no near‑term TAS investments planned.
Early Industry Stabilization Indicators
Management cited encouraging signs beneath the surface: freight volumes stabilizing off recent lows, lean dealer inventories, and gradually improving fleet utilization—though these have not yet translated into materially higher order activity.
Negative Updates
Weak Q4 Profitability and Losses
Consolidated Q4 revenue of $321M, but adjusted gross margin of -1.1% and adjusted operating margin of -13%. Adjusted EBITDA was negative $26.2M (negative 8.1% of sales) and adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders was -$37.8M (‑$0.93 per diluted share).
Negative Near‑Term Guidance
Q1 2026 guidance: revenue $310M–$330M, adjusted EPS in range -$0.95 to -$1.05, and operating margin midpoint around -15%. Management expects Q1 to be the weakest quarter of 2026.
Production Inefficiencies in Truck Body Business
Lower‑than‑expected production volumes within the truck body business created operational inefficiencies that materially pressured margins in the quarter and contributed to the negative gross margin result.
Plant Idling Charges and Near‑Term Exit Costs
The idling of Little Falls and Goshen resulted in approximately $16M of noncash charges in Q4; management expects an additional $4M–$5M of charges in 2026, with ~$1M–$2M expected to be cash outlays (severance and exit‑related).
Negative Free Cash Flow and Increased Short‑Term Leverage
Full‑year free cash flow was negative $31M in 2025 (stated excluding a $30M legal settlement paid in Q4). The company drew $45M on its ABL during 2025; management said primary use of incremental cash will be ABL paydown if cash flow improves.
Persistent Demand Weakness and Margin Pressure from Competitive Pricing
Management reiterated prolonged softness in freight, construction, and industrial end markets with uneven order patterns and lengthened replacement cycles. Competitive pricing pressure (notably market pricing rather than tariff‑driven material cost) compressed gross margins in 2025 versus 2024.
Company Guidance
Wabash provided quarterly-only guidance for Q1 2026, forecasting revenue of $310–$330 million, adjusted EPS of negative $0.95 to negative $1.05, and an operating‑margin midpoint of about negative 15% (noting Q1 is expected to be the weakest quarter of the year); the company declined to give full‑year 2026 guidance but said full‑year revenue and operating margin are likely to be higher than 2025. Management reiterated that recent plant idlings produced roughly $16 million of noncash charges in Q4 and they expect an additional $4–$5 million of charges in 2026 (about $1–$2 million of which will be cash), with these actions targeting approximately $10 million of ongoing annualized cost savings. On capital and liquidity, they reported $235 million of liquidity at December 31, plan maintenance CapEx roughly in line with 2025 (~$25–$26 million) with no near‑term TAS investments, and continue to prioritize preserving liquidity and paying down the $45 million ABL draw while leaning on parts & services (Q4 parts revenue $64.5M, +33% YoY, margins to recover after Q1) as a more durable revenue stream.

Wabash National Financial Statement Overview

Summary
TTM earnings rebounded after a large 2024 loss, but gross margin is very thin (~4.5%) and cash conversion is weak: operating cash flow is low (~$11.7M) and free cash flow is negative (~-$13.0M). Leverage improved versus 2024 (debt-to-equity ~1.21x), yet the profile remains cyclical and sensitive to operating swings.
Income Statement
56
Neutral
Profitability has been volatile. After a strong 2023 (about $2.54B revenue and ~$231M net income), 2024 swung to a large loss (~-$284M) on lower revenue. TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) shows a sharp rebound to strong net income (~$211M) despite revenue declining (~-5.8%), but gross margin is very thin (~4.5%), suggesting earnings quality may be sensitive to mix, pricing, or one-time factors.
Balance Sheet
52
Neutral
Leverage is manageable but elevated for a cyclical manufacturer. Debt-to-equity improved meaningfully from 2024 (~2.30x) to TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) (~1.21x) as equity rebuilt, yet total debt remains sizable (~$443M) and the capital structure is still more levered than 2023 (~0.78x). The return on equity is strong in TTM, but given the recent earnings swing, balance-sheet risk remains tied to profit stability.
Cash Flow
41
Neutral
Cash generation weakened materially in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months): operating cash flow is low (~$11.7M) and free cash flow is negative (~-$13.0M), a sharp reversal from positive free cash flow in 2022–2024 and very strong 2023. While cash flow was healthy in several prior years, the latest period shows profits are not currently translating into cash, increasing execution and working-capital risk.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.54B1.95B2.54B2.50B1.80B
Gross Profit58.73M265.07M498.19M322.69M196.47M
EBITDA363.21M-299.77M359.86M214.25M73.26M
Net Income211.45M-284.07M231.25M112.26M1.16M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.17B1.41B1.36B1.20B1.13B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments31.92M115.48M179.27M58.24M71.78M
Total Debt442.85M433.56M428.68M418.82M439.75M
Total Liabilities802.70M1.22B812.72M805.40M802.21M
Stockholders Equity367.36M188.83M549.50M397.61M325.54M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-13.04M45.08M221.51M67.00M-56.58M
Operating Cash Flow11.67M117.27M319.61M124.08M-7.47M
Investing Cash Flow-92.68M-94.79M-106.04M-55.30M-27.08M
Financing Cash Flow-2.54M-86.27M-92.54M-82.31M-111.35M

Wabash National Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price10.15
Price Trends
50DMA
10.22
Negative
100DMA
9.38
Positive
200DMA
9.76
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.05
Positive
RSI
41.11
Neutral
STOCH
6.92
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WNC, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 10.15 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 11.10, below the 50-day MA of 10.22, and above the 200-day MA of 9.76, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.05 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 41.11 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 6.92 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for WNC.

Wabash National Risk Analysis

Wabash National disclosed 32 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Wabash National 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

Wabash National Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$228.95M14.987.68%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
60
Neutral
$523.23M76.508.82%-0.83%
58
Neutral
$410.43M2.0084.07%3.59%-22.95%
58
Neutral
$545.47M91.960.44%1.59%-2.36%-73.77%
51
Neutral
$653.14M250.030.51%4.61%-8.30%-98.18%
48
Neutral
$622.95M-9.80-1.05%-2.75%22.20%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WNC
Wabash National
10.15
-0.27
-2.61%
CMCO
Columbus Mckinnon
18.98
3.03
19.00%
GENC
Gencor
15.62
3.62
30.17%
MTW
Manitowoc Company
14.75
5.22
54.77%
TWI
Titan International
9.73
1.90
24.27%
HY
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling
36.83
-5.84
-13.69%

Wabash National Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Wabash National Announces Plant Idling and Restructuring Plan
Negative
Jan 5, 2026

On January 5, 2026, Wabash National Corporation announced and initiated a plan to idle its facilities in Little Falls, Minnesota, and Goshen, Indiana, leading to job reductions of approximately 3 salaried and 53 hourly workers in Little Falls and 21 salaried and 193 hourly workers in Goshen, with the actions expected to be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of 2026. The company expects to incur total charges of $15 million to $20 million, primarily non-cash asset impairment charges, with $12 million to $15 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $3 million to $5 million in the first half of 2026, and anticipates that these measures will deliver fixed cost reductions in 2026 and beyond without discontinuing any business lines, signaling a restructuring aimed at improving long-term cost efficiency while affecting local employment at the idled plants.

The most recent analyst rating on (WNC) stock is a Hold with a $9.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wabash National stock, see the WNC 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 05, 2026