Looking back on heavy transportation equipment stocks’ Q2 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) 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%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 6.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

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 print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

David S. Graziosi, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Allison Transmission commented, "Delivering record quarterly earnings per share, while incurring one-time costs associated with our recently announced acquisition of the Dana Off-Highway business, is a clear reflection of the Allison team's continued focus on execution and delivering strong financial performance. Our second quarter results, highlighted by continued growth in the Defense end market and a record $142 million of quarterly net sales in the Outside North America On-Highway end market, demonstrate the diversity of Allison's end markets and the incremental sales opportunities available from growth initiatives."

The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $88.

Is now the time to buy Allison Transmission? 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 and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 8.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $392.55.

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 11.6% since the results and currently trades at $27.89.

Read our full analysis of Trinity’s results here.

Federal Signal (NYSE: FSS)

Developing sirens that warned of air raid attacks or fallout during the Cold War, Federal Signal (NYSE: FSS) provides safety and emergency equipment for government agencies, municipalities, and industrial companies.

Federal Signal reported revenues of $564.6 million, up 15.1% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 5.2%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also logged full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 16.4% since reporting and currently trades at $122.05.

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

Commercial Vehicle Group (NASDAQ: CVGI)

Formed from a partnership between two distinct companies, CVG (NASDAQ: CVGI) offers various components used in vehicles and systems used in warehouses.

Commercial Vehicle Group reported revenues of $172 million, down 11.2% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 6.4%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 10.2% since reporting and currently trades at $1.67.

Read our full, actionable report on Commercial Vehicle Group here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

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