Greenbrier Companies (GBX) vs FreightCar America (RAIL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Greenbrier Companies (GBX) has outperformed FreightCar America (RAIL) over the past year, losing 13.5% versus a loss of 38.6%. Over five years, RAIL leads with a +43.2% price change compared with -17.1% for GBX. Greenbrier Companies is the larger company by market cap ($1.20 billion vs $202.3 million), about 5.9 times the size.
On valuation, FreightCar America trades at a lower forward P/E (5.8x vs 10.3x for Greenbrier Companies). Greenbrier Companies pays a dividend yielding 3.37%, while FreightCar America does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | GBX | RAIL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.63 | $6.17 |
| Market cap | $1.20B | $202.32M |
| 1-day change | -0.39% | -1.91% |
| YTD return | -17.03% | -44.26% |
| 1-year return | -13.46% | -38.61% |
| 5-year return | -17.07% | +43.16% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.43 | — |
| Forward P/E | 10.30 | 5.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.38 | $-0.39 |
| Dividend yield | 3.37% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.30 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $59.19 | $14.90 |
| 52-week low | $37.61 | $6.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.74% | -58.59% |
| Analyst consensus | underperform | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.34% | +137.76% |
| Average volume | 400.85K | 225.19K |
| Shares outstanding | 30.94M | 32.79M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 1,986 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Railroads | Railroads |
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 5.9 times larger than FreightCar America by market value ($1.20B vs $202.32M).
- GBX has outperformed RAIL by 25.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Greenbrier Companies offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 0.00%).
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
About FreightCar America
RAIL stock →FreightCar America, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells railcars and railcar components for the transportation of bulk commodities and containerized freight products in the United States and Mexico. The company operates through two segments: Manufacturing and Aftermarket.
Industrials · Railroads · 1,986 employees
GBX vs RAIL FAQ
Which is bigger, Greenbrier Companies or FreightCar America?
Greenbrier Companies (GBX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.20B compared with $202.32M for FreightCar America (RAIL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GBX or RAIL?
GBX returned -13.46% over the past 12 months, compared with -38.61% for RAIL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Greenbrier Companies or FreightCar America?
Greenbrier Companies pays a dividend yielding 3.37%, while FreightCar America does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Greenbrier Companies and FreightCar America in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector.