Wabtec Reports Strong Third Quarter Sales, Earnings and Cash From Operations; Increases Full-Year Guidance

WILMERDING, Pa., Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) today reported strong results for the 2012 third quarter, including the following:

• Third quarter sales of $588 million, 18 percent higher than the year-ago quarter, as both operating groups showed growth.
• Income from operations was $97 million, 28 percent higher than the 2011 third quarter.
• Operating margin was 16.5 percent of sales compared to 15.1 percent of sales in the year-ago quarter.
• Earnings per diluted share were $1.30, 35 percent higher than the year-ago quarter.
• Cash flow from operations was $83 million for the quarter and $114 million for the first nine months of the year.
• At Sept. 30, 2012, the company had cash of $282 million and debt of $433 million.
• During the quarter, Wabtec repurchased 77,500 shares of its common stock for about $6 million.  The company has about $95 million remaining on a $150 million authorization.

Based on its third quarter results and outlook for the rest of the year, Wabtec increased its full-year 2012 guidance for earnings per diluted share to $5.13-$5.18, with revenues now expected to be up about 22 percent for the year.  Previously, the company's guidance was for earnings per diluted share of $5.10-$5.15, with revenue growth of about 20 percent.

Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec's president and chief executive officer, said:  "Our third quarter performance was strong, and we remain on track for a record year.  We have benefited from our Wabtec Performance System improvement initiatives, diverse business model and ongoing investments in strategic growth opportunities.  As the U.S. and other countries around the world invest in their freight and passenger transit infrastructure, we expect to continue to play a vital role."

Wabtec Corporation (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of value-added, technology-based products and services for rail and other 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, an economic slowdown in the markets we serve; a 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.

The company will conduct a conference call with analysts and investors at 10 a.m., eastern time, today.  To listen to the call via webcast, please go to www.wabtec.com and click on the "Webcasts" tab in the "Investor Relations" section.

SOURCE Wabtec Corporation