Wabtec Reports Record Results for 2015; Issues 2016 Earnings Guidance of $4.30-$4.50

WILMERDING, Pa., Feb. 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabtec Corporation WAB today reported record results for 2015, including the following:

• Sales for the fourth quarter increased to $833 million, as higher sales in the Freight Group more than offset lower sales in the Transit Group. Changes in foreign exchange rates reduced sales by about $27 million compared to the year-ago quarter.
• Income from operations in the fourth quarter was $151 million or 18.2% of sales, compared to $137 million or 16.7% of sales in the year-ago fourth quarter. 
• In the fourth quarter, earnings per diluted share were a record $1.05, 11 percent higher than the year-ago quarter.
• For the full year, Wabtec had sales of $3.3 billion, income from operations of $608 million or 18.4% of sales, and earnings per diluted share of $4.10, all of which were records.  For the full year, the company generated cash flow from operations of $448 million, which exceeded net income of $399 million.
• At year-end, the company had cash of $226 million, an additional $203 million of cash held in escrow for the planned acquisition of Faiveley Transport, and debt of $696 million. 
• In 2015, Wabtec repurchased 4.9 million shares of its common stock for $388 million, or about $79 per share.

Also today, Wabtec issued 2016 guidance for earnings per diluted share of between $4.30-$4.50, with revenues expected to be flat to slightly up.  The company expects 2016 quarterly results to improve sequentially during the year as it realizes the benefits of ongoing cost reduction initiatives and as projects already in backlog begin to ramp up.  This guidance does not include Wabtec's pending acquisition of Faiveley Transport, which is progressing and which Wabtec currently expects to close by mid-year, depending on the timing of regulatory approvals.  Faiveley Transport is a global supplier of high added value integrated systems for the railway industry.

Raymond T. Betler, Wabtec's president and chief executive officer, said:  "We finished 2015 with a strong performance and are positioned for record results again in 2016, even as we face challenges in some of our key markets.  We have responded to these challenges by accelerating our cost and efficiency improvement programs.  At the same time, we continue to invest in our growth strategies and remain optimistic about our long-term prospects, thanks to continued investment in freight rail and passenger transit projects around the world.  As always, we expect to benefit from our diversified business model, balanced growth strategies and rigorous application of the Wabtec Performance System."

Wabtec (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of technology-based products and services for rail and industrial markets. 

This release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding the company's expectations about future earnings.  Actual results could differ materially from the results suggested in any forward-looking statement.  Factors that could cause or contribute to these material differences include, but are not limited to, a further economic slowdown in the markets we serve; a further decrease in freight or passenger rail traffic; an increase in manufacturing costs; and other factors contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The company assumes no obligation to update these statements or advise of changes in the assumptions on which they are based.

Wabtec will host a call with analysts and investors at 9:30 a.m., eastern time, today.  To listen via webcast, go to www.wabtec.com and click on "Webcasts" in the "Investor Relations" section.