The FMCSA’s CSA 2010 initiative is designed to improve safety on highways, creating a rating system for truckers based on safety standards. The FMCSA assigns a safety score to carriers using 7 safety performance categories which is based on violations and state inspection and crash reports. Implementation is expected in late C10 and early C11.
Wabtec is one of the world’s largest suppliers of equipment for the freight and transit rail industries, and the company’s products can be found on virtually all U.S. locomotives, freight cars, subway cars and buses. Wabtec is well diversified across its freight and transit, domestic and international, and OEM and aftermarket segments, and seems well positioned to benefit from secular trends in favor of rail. However, we believe its diverse revenue mix likely will limit Wabtec’s upside operating leverage to an eventual turn in new railcar demand. We are initiating coverage with a Peer Perform rating at the previous day’s closing price of $44.62, and we look for a pullback to become more aggressive on the stock.