Let’s dig into the relative performance of Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q2 heavy transportation equipment earnings season.

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 14 heavy transportation equipment stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

The Fed cut its policy rate by 50bps (half a percent) in September 2024, the first in roughly four years. This marks the end of its most pointed inflation-busting campaign since the 1980s. While CPI (inflation) readings have been supportive lately, employment measures have bordered on worrisome. The markets will be assessing whether this rate cut's timing (and more potential ones in 2024 and 2025) is ideal for supporting the economy or a bit too late for a macro that has already cooled too much.

Heavy transportation equipment stocks have held steady amidst all this with average share prices relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

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 $490.4 million, up 10.8% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ operating margin estimates but a miss of analysts’ backlog sales estimates.

"Our businesses were able to deliver double-digit year-over-year organic net sales and earnings growth, gross margin expansion, and a 280-basis point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin during the second quarter," commented Jennifer L. Sherman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 5.8% since reporting and currently trades at $88.94.

Is now the time to buy Federal Signal? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW)

Once manufacturing snowplows designed for the iconic jeep vehicle precursor, Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW) offers snow and ice equipment for the roads and sidewalks.

Douglas Dynamics reported revenues of $199.9 million, down 3.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 9.4%. The business had an incredible quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ earnings estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 5.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $27.95.

Is now the time to buy Douglas Dynamics? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: 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 $229.9 million, down 12.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ earnings estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 32.3% since the results and currently trades at $3.20.

Read our full analysis of Commercial Vehicle Group’s results here.

PACCAR (NASDAQ:PCAR)

Founded more than a century ago, PACCAR (NASDAQ:PCAR) designs and manufactures commercial trucks of various weights and sizes for the commercial trucking industry.

PACCAR reported revenues of $8.26 billion, down 2.1% year on year. This number met analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

The stock is down 9.7% since reporting and currently trades at $98.50.

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

Blue Bird (NASDAQ:BLBD)

With around a century of experience, Blue Bird (NASDAQ:BLBD) is a manufacturer of school buses and complementary parts.

Blue Bird reported revenues of $333.4 million, up 13.3% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ earnings and operating margin estimates.

The stock is up 10.2% since reporting and currently trades at $53.48.

Read our full, actionable report on Blue Bird here, it’s free.

Join Paid Stock Investor Research

Help us make StockStory more helpful to investors like yourself. Join our paid user research session and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for your opinions. Sign up here.