As the Q2 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the heavy transportation equipment industry, including Douglas Dynamics (NYSE: PLOW) and its peers.

Heavy transportation equipment companies are investing in automated vehicles that increase efficiencies and connected machinery that collects actionable data. Some are also developing electric vehicles and mobility solutions to address customers’ concerns about carbon emissions, creating new sales opportunities. Additionally, they are increasingly offering automated equipment that increases efficiencies and connected machinery that collects actionable data. On the other hand, heavy transportation equipment companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the construction and transport volumes that drive demand for these companies’ offerings.

The 13 heavy transportation equipment stocks we track reported a very strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.6%.

Luckily, heavy transportation equipment stocks have performed well with share prices up 11.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

Douglas Dynamics (NYSE: PLOW)

Once manufacturing snowplows designed for the iconic jeep vehicle precursor, Douglas Dynamics (NYSE: PLOW) offers snow and ice equipment for the roads and sidewalks.

Douglas Dynamics reported revenues of $194.3 million, down 2.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 6.3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

“We take great pride in the fact that strong execution, unwavering dedication, and market leading innovation remain defining hallmarks of our company,” commented Mark Van Genderen, President and CEO.

Douglas Dynamics scored the highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 17.5% since reporting and currently trades at $33.25.

Is now the time to buy Douglas Dynamics? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: Cummins (NYSE: CMI)

With more than half of the heavy-duty truck market using its engines at one point, Cummins (NYSE: CMI) offers engines and power systems.

Cummins reported revenues of $8.64 billion, down 1.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.4%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 13.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $410.70.

Is now the time to buy Cummins? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Trinity (NYSE: TRN)

Operating under the trade name TrinityRail, Trinity (NYSE: TRN) is a provider of railcar products and services in North America.

Trinity reported revenues of $506.2 million, down 39.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 13.3%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Trinity delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 14.2% since the results and currently trades at $28.56.

Read our full analysis of Trinity’s results here.

Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN)

Helping build race cars at one point, Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) offers transmissions to original equipment manufacturers and fleet operators.

Allison Transmission reported revenues of $814 million, flat year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and .

The stock is up 2.3% since reporting and currently trades at $90.

Read our full, actionable report on Allison Transmission here, it’s free.

Wabash (NYSE: WNC)

With its first trailer reportedly built on two sawhorses, Wabash (NYSE: WNC) offers semi trailers, liquid transportation containers, truck bodies, and equipment for moving goods.

Wabash reported revenues of $458.8 million, down 16.7% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 5.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Wabash had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 9.8% since reporting and currently trades at $11.74.

Read our full, actionable report on Wabash here, it’s free.

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

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