greeksoup/ stock research

FreightCar America, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and deliveries fell year over year: Revenues were $76.5 million against $160.5 million a year earlier. Railcar deliveries were 662 units, against 1,304 in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell to $0.1 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $0.1 million, a 0.2% margin, down from $15.9 million and a 9.9% margin in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Warrant gain produced $8 thousand net income: A $4.7 million non-cash gain on the warrant liability produced net income of $8 thousand, or $0.00 per diluted share, for the quarter. Source
  • Aftermarket revenue grew 65%: Aftermarket revenue was $10.8 million against $6.6 million, with segment income of $4.0 million against $1.5 million. Management cited organic parts growth and recent acquisitions. Source
  • Backlog value up 28% year over year: Backlog was 2,660 units valued at $284.5 million at September 30, 2026, against $222.0 million a year earlier, after the tank car order removal. Source
  • Gross margin fell to 8.8%: Gross margin was 8.8%, on gross profit of $6.7 million, against 15.1% and $24.2 million a year earlier. Cost of sales was $69.8 million against $136.3 million. Source
  • Trinity acquisition completed after quarter end: The company completed the Trinity Equipment Company acquisition after quarter end, its third aftermarket transaction in under a year. Source

“While our third quarter results reflect a challenging period for the business, they were consistent with the preliminary figures we reported in October,”

Nick Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreightCar America

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Railcar deliveries SourceFiscal 20263,100 - 3,300 railcarsKept
Revenue SourceFiscal 2026$370 - $410 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal 2026$15 - $19 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Fiscal 2026 guidance was lowered on October 19 from August 3 levels: 3,500 to 3,900 railcars, $410 million to $460 million revenue, and $36 million to $44 million Adjusted EBITDA.
  • Ended: 1,285 railcars tied to one tank car retrofit order were removed from backlog because the customer was judged unlikely to meet its contract obligations.
  • New: The company completed the Trinity Equipment Company acquisition after quarter end, adding to its aftermarket platform. Source
  • Guidance kept: The fiscal 2026 guidance given on October 19 was reaffirmed without change in the third quarter release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue and deliveries fell year over year: Revenues were $76.5 million against $160.5 million a year earlier. Railcar deliveries were 662 units, against 1,304 in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell to $0.1 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $0.1 million, a 0.2% margin, down from $15.9 million and a 9.9% margin in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Warrant gain produced $8 thousand net income: A $4.7 million non-cash gain on the warrant liability produced net income of $8 thousand, or $0.00 per diluted share, for the quarter. Source
  • Adjusted net loss per diluted share: Adjusted net loss was $9.5 million, or $(0.28) per diluted share, against adjusted net income of $7.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • Manufacturing revenue and income fell: Manufacturing revenues were $65.7 million against $154.0 million, and segment income was $1.5 million against $21.7 million a year earlier. Source
  • Aftermarket revenue grew 65%: Aftermarket revenue was $10.8 million against $6.6 million, with segment income of $4.0 million against $1.5 million. Management cited organic parts growth and recent acquisitions. Source
  • Nine-month revenue by segment: Nine-month manufacturing revenue was $222.9 million and aftermarket revenue $31.0 million, against $354.9 million and $20.5 million a year earlier. Source

“We continued to make progress on our commercial priorities, with order intake through the first nine months exceeding our total for all of 2025 and backlog value up 28% year over year.”

Nick Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreightCar America

Products, customers and backlog

  • Backlog value up 28% year over year: Backlog was 2,660 units valued at $284.5 million at September 30, 2026, against $222.0 million a year earlier, after the tank car order removal. Source
  • Tank car retrofit order removed from backlog: 1,285 railcars were removed from backlog. The order was set for delivery in the second half of 2026 and through 2027. No other orders were affected.
  • Focus on proven railcar types: Management said it focuses on railcar types where it has a proven record and continues to gain share, while growing its aftermarket business.
  • Backlog gives visibility into production: Management said backlog provides visibility into planned production, and that its focus is disciplined execution, cost control and converting orders into profitable deliveries. Source

Costs, margins and cost structure

  • Gross margin fell to 8.8%: Gross margin was 8.8%, on gross profit of $6.7 million, against 15.1% and $24.2 million a year earlier. Cost of sales was $69.8 million against $136.3 million. Source
  • Cost structure described as improved: The CFO said the cost structure has improved. SG&A was $9.8 million against $9.6 million a year earlier. Source
  • Professional services costs added back: Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA excluded $1.3 million of professional services costs tied to governance items, against $0.5 million a year earlier. Source

“With our full-year outlook unchanged, our focus is on converting our backlog into profitable deliveries.”

Mike Riordan, Chief Financial Officer of FreightCar America

Capital, cash and balance sheet

  • Free cash flow of $25.0 million: Free cash flow was $25.0 million in the quarter, against $2.2 million a year earlier, and $31.9 million for the nine months against $22.6 million. Source
  • Cash rose and revolver stayed undrawn: Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents were $86.8 million, up from $64.3 million at December 31, 2025. The CFO said the revolving credit facility had no borrowings. Source
  • Warrant liability cut after exercises: Warrant liability fell to $9.3 million from $168.5 million at December 31, 2025. Warrant exercises in the nine months totaled $130.3 million, per the cash flow statement. Source
  • Customer deposits reached $15.7 million: Customer deposits were $15.7 million at September 30, 2026, against none at December 31, 2025. Nine-month term loan repayments were $8.0 million, against $2.2 million. Source

Strategy and acquisitions

  • Trinity acquisition completed after quarter end: The company completed the Trinity Equipment Company acquisition after quarter end, its third aftermarket transaction in under a year. Source
  • Recent acquisition expected accretive: Management said its most recent acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive and consistent with its capital allocation priorities. Source
  • Aftermarket growth and integration continue: Management said it continues to integrate acquisitions and grow the aftermarket business alongside its railcar manufacturing. Source

Workforce and productivity

  • Workforce realignment in second quarter: The company incurred workforce realignment costs in the second quarter of 2026, linked to sustained productivity gains in manufacturing. The nine-month cost was $2.2 million. Source
  • Manufacturing flexibility maintained: Management said it keeps manufacturing flexibility to respond to changes in customer demand. Source
  • Leadership named in release: The release quotes CEO Nick Randall and CFO Mike Riordan. It does not describe a change in leadership. Source

Coming up, as management said on 9 November 2026

  • Backlog expected to convert in 2027: Management said it expects backlog to convert into deliveries in 2027, along with continued aftermarket growth.

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Railcar deliveries, third quarter 2026 Source662 units (1,304 units in the prior year period)
Backlog Source2,660 units valued at $284.5 million
Aftermarket revenue growth Source65% year over year

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: The customer behind the removed tank car retrofit order may not meet its contractual obligations, which led to the 1,285-railcar removal from backlog.
  • Demand: Some industry indicators are improving, but management has not yet seen this translate into broader growth in railcar demand. Source
  • Financial: Changes to warrant liability and non-core items could affect future GAAP results, according to the company's note on Adjusted EBITDA guidance. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said the third quarter results were consistent with the preliminary figures released on October 19. Source
  • On track: Management said integration of acquired businesses is on track. Source
  • Not stated: The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance as given on October 19. Source
  • Not stated: Management said its commitment to the tank car retrofit market is unchanged, despite the removal of one order from backlog.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.