Does FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC. have an economic moat?

Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC. (RAIL) 29.1 out of 100 — below the Shallow-moat bar, so no moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 0, returns on capital 0, balance-sheet safety 85, capital discipline 60.

How has RAIL's Moat Score changed over time?

The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 29.1 out of 100 (no moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

The Moat Index

FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.

RAIL · Consumer Discretionary · $143.6M mkt cap · FY2025 filings · No moat ·

Doesn't clear the bar

No moat

The four filters

Pricing power0

Median gross margin 6.4% over 10y, variable.

Returns on capital0

Median ROIC -34.9%, above the 9% hurdle in 0% of years.

Balance-sheet safety85

Net debt/EBITDA 1.1x, no material interest expense disclosed.

Capital discipline60

Owner earnings +14.3%/yr, share count growing (dilution).

Margin of safety

Above valueOn sale

No price data

Owner earnings (normalized): —
Est. intrinsic value / share: —
Recent price: $7.52
Discount to value: No price data

Conservative model: 9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth (capped at 4%), maintenance capex ≈ min(capex, D&A).

Fundamentals

There's no normalized fundamentals series for RAIL yet — it appears once ingest has processed its filings.

Moat Score history

Moat Score over timeLast scored reading of each day, on the 0–100 scale29.1 / 100

Score history begins Jul 17, 2026 — the record builds from here and can’t be backfilled.

Tier changesSame-methodology crossings of the Wide / Narrow / Shallow bars

None yet — RAIL has read No moat for every logged capture since Jul 17, 2026.

Scores are logged append-only and never overwritten — this record can’t be backfilled, which is exactly why it’s worth keeping.

Consumer Discretionary context

#271 of 340 scored Consumer Discretionary companies, ranked by Moat Score.

Nearest peers by Moat Score

#269STRT STRATTEC SECURITY CORP29.5 out of 100, No moatNo moat
#270AMCR AMCOR PLC29.3 out of 100, No moatNo moat
#272KTOS Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.28.9 out of 100, No moatNo moat
#273HLLY HOLLEY INC.28.5 out of 100, No moatNo moat

Compare RAIL with its nearest peers →All Consumer Discretionary companies on the Index →

Common questions about RAIL

Does FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC. have an economic moat?: Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC. (RAIL) 29.1 out of 100 — below the Shallow-moat bar, so no moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 0, returns on capital 0, balance-sheet safety 85, capital discipline 60.
How has RAIL's Moat Score changed over time?: The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 29.1 out of 100 (no moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

Embed this score on your site

One iframe, no script. The badge shows RAIL’s live Moat Score, updates itself as new filings are scored, and links back here. How it works.

<iframe
  src="https://buylikebuffett.com/embed/RAIL"
  width="340" height="150" style="border:0"
  title="RAIL Moat Score — The Moat Index"
  loading="lazy"></iframe>

Scored from primary SEC filings via the public methodology. Educational only — not a recommendation to buy or sell RAIL. See the disclaimer.