Howmet Aerospace Inc (HWM)vsFreightcar America Inc (RAIL)
HWM
Howmet Aerospace Inc
$250.72
-1.88%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $100.31B
RAIL
Freightcar America Inc
$7.58
+3.13%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $150.42M
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Howmet Aerospace Inc generates 1739% more annual revenue ($8.62B vs $469.01M). HWM leads profitability with a 20.2% profit margin vs 6.3%. RAIL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.64. HWM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).
HWM
Strong Buy73
out of 100
Grade: B
RAIL
Hold41
out of 100
Grade: D
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Every $100 of equity generates 32 in profit
Earnings expanding 71.4% YoY
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Strong operational efficiency at 28.2%
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Growing faster than its price suggests
Areas to Watch
Trading at 18.2x book value
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
6.3% margin — thin
ROE of -8.8% — below average capital efficiency
Revenue declined 33.2%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : HWM
The strongest argument for HWM centers on Return on Equity, EPS Growth, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.2% and operating margin at 28.2%. Revenue growth of 19.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : RAIL
The strongest argument for RAIL centers on P/E Ratio, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.64 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : HWM
The primary concerns for HWM are Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 58.2x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : RAIL
The primary concerns for RAIL are Market Cap, Profit Margin, Return on Equity.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
HWM profiles as a growth stock while RAIL is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
RAIL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.49 — expect wider price swings.
HWM is growing revenue faster at 19.1% — sustainability is the question.
HWM generates stronger free cash flow (359M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
HWM scores higher overall (73/100 vs 41/100), backed by strong 20.2% margins and 19.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Howmet Aerospace Inc
INDUSTRIALS · AEROSPACE & DEFENSE · USA
Howmet Aerospace Inc. is an American aerospace company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company manufactures components for jet engines, fasteners and titanium structures for aerospace applications, and forged aluminum wheels for heavy trucks.
Freightcar America Inc
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
FreightCar America, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells railroad cars and railroad components for the transportation of bulk goods and containerized cargo products primarily in North America. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Compare with Other AEROSPACE & DEFENSE Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?