Q1 Rundown: L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) Vs Other General Industrial Machinery Stocks

FSTR Cover Image
Q1 Rundown: L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) Vs Other General Industrial Machinery Stocks

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The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) and the rest of the general industrial machinery stocks fared in Q1.

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for general industrial machinery companies. Those who innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles, but all general industrial machinery companies are still at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings.

The 15 general industrial machinery stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.5% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR)

Founded with a $2,500 loan, L.B. Foster (NASDAQ:FSTR) is a provider of products and services for the transportation and energy infrastructure sectors, including rail products, construction materials, and coating solutions.

L.B. Foster reported revenues of $97.79 million, down 21.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 14.5%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

John Kasel, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "As mentioned in our 2024 year end earnings announcement back in March, we started 2025 with first quarter sales and profitability down versus last year. This was due to an exceptionally-strong first quarter last year for our Rail segment. Within the segment, Rail Products sales declined $23.7 million, or 44.7%, due to lower Rail Distribution volumes. Infrastructure sales grew 5.0% over last year and expanded operating results in the quarter driven by a 33.7% increase in Precast Concrete sales. Focusing on what we can influence in the short term, we drove cost controls which resulted in an 8.4% reduction in operating expenses versus last year, partially mitigating the impact of lower gross profit from the Rail Distribution sales decline. We also stepped up our stock buybacks to 168,911 shares in the first quarter, or 1.5% of outstanding common stock."

L.B. Foster Total Revenue
L.B. Foster Total Revenue

L.B. Foster pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 13.3% since reporting and currently trades at $18.98.