MetaCap

L.B. Foster (FSTR) vs Greenbrier Companies (GBX)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

L.B. Foster (FSTR) has outperformed Greenbrier Companies (GBX) over the past year, gaining 36.6% versus a loss of 13.5%. Over five years, FSTR leads with a +124.0% price change compared with -17.1% for GBX. Greenbrier Companies is the larger company by market cap ($1.19 billion vs $369.6 million), about 3.2 times the size.

On valuation, Greenbrier Companies trades at a lower forward P/E (10.3x vs 17.3x for L.B. Foster). Greenbrier Companies pays a dividend yielding 3.37%, while L.B. Foster does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

FSTR+36.56%GBX-13.46%
+78%+30%-18%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
FSTR+127.69%GBX-11.90%
+199%+71%-56%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

FSTR versus GBX key metrics
MetricFSTRGBX
Share price$35.13$38.54
Market cap$369.56M$1.19B
1-day change-1.10%-0.62%
YTD return+31.80%-17.03%
1-year return+36.56%-13.46%
5-year return+123.96%-17.07%
P/E ratio (TTM)33.1411.40
Forward P/E17.3510.28
EPS (TTM)$1.06$3.38
Dividend yield0.00%3.37%
Annual dividend$0.00$1.30
52-week high$45.81$59.19
52-week low$23.81$37.61
Distance from 52-week high-23.31%-34.89%
Analyst consensusholdunderperform
Avg. price target upside+25.25%+17.62%
Average volume61.70K400.85K
Shares outstanding10.52M30.94M
Employees1,19111,000
SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
IndustryMetal FabricationsRailroads

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • Greenbrier Companies is about 3.2 times larger than L.B. Foster by market value ($1.19B vs $369.56M).
  • FSTR has outperformed GBX by 50.0 percentage points over the past year.
  • L.B. Foster trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.1x vs 11.4x trailing P/E).
  • Greenbrier Companies offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 0.00%).

About L.B. Foster

FSTR stock →

L.B. Foster Company provides engineered and manufactured products and services for building and supporting infrastructure in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally.

Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 1,191 employees

About Greenbrier Companies

GBX stock →

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America.

Industrials · Railroads · 11,000 employees

FSTR vs GBX FAQ

Which is bigger, L.B. Foster or Greenbrier Companies?

Greenbrier Companies (GBX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.19B compared with $369.56M for L.B. Foster (FSTR).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, FSTR or GBX?

FSTR returned +36.56% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.46% for GBX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, FSTR or GBX?

GBX has the lower trailing P/E at 11.4, versus 33.1 for FSTR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Which pays a higher dividend, L.B. Foster or Greenbrier Companies?

Greenbrier Companies pays a dividend yielding 3.37%, while L.B. Foster does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are L.B. Foster and Greenbrier Companies in the same industry?

Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Metal Fabrications for L.B. Foster and Railroads for Greenbrier Companies.

More comparisons