Key Takeaways Stocks making new highs tend to make even higher highs. Both PM and STRL shares have benefited from strong quarterly results. Both companies' near-term outlooks allude to further gains. When stocks are cruising near all-time or 52-week highs, it reflects considerable bullishness with trends where buyers are in control. Stocks making new highs tend to make even higher highs, particularly when analysts' positive earnings estimate revisions are present.   That’s been precisely the case for Phil ...

Core Insights - Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity has shown notable fluctuations post-COVID, but there are signs of recovery in the market, with Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) making significant moves recently [1][7] Company Acquisition - Sterling Infrastructure announced the acquisition of Texas-based CEC Facilities Group, LLC for a total of $505 million, which includes $450 million in cash and $55 million in STRL stock [2] - The CEO of STRL, Joe Cutillo, emphasized that the combination of CEC's electrical services and Sterling's civil infrastructure services will enhance project timelines and customer value [2] - Following the acquisition announcement, STRL shares increased significantly, rising over 30% year-to-date and outperforming the S&P 500 [2] Strategic Focus - CEC will be integrated into Sterling's E-Infrastructure Solutions segment, aimed at enhancing its capabilities in data centers amid the growing AI market [4] - The E-Infrastructure Solutions segment provides advanced site development services for various sectors, including manufacturing and power generation [4] Financial Impact - The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to STRL's earnings, with contributions anticipated to begin in 2025 [5] - Prior to the acquisition news, STRL was already in a strong position, holding a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with rising EPS expectations [5]

Core Insights - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) is experiencing significant growth in e-infrastructure demand, reporting an 18% year-over-year revenue increase in its E-Infrastructure Solutions segment, with adjusted operating income rising 61% and margins expanding by over 600 basis points to 23% [1][9] - The company has a record e-infrastructure backlog of $1.2 billion and future-phase visibility nearing $2 billion, indicating strong demand and execution capabilities [2][9] - Management anticipates mid-to-high teens revenue growth for the E-Infrastructure segment in 2025, supported by trends in AI, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure [3] Financial Performance - Sterling reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.63, a 29% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA rose 31% to $80 million [2][9] - The company’s pricing model mitigates risks from raw material and fuel cost fluctuations, helping to preserve margins [2] Competitive Landscape - Sterling faces competition from Quanta Services and EMCOR Group, both of which are also targeting high-growth sectors like data centers and semiconductors [4][7] - Quanta Services is expanding into data center development and grid modernization, while EMCOR focuses on mechanical and electrical construction in mission-critical environments [5][6] Market Position - Sterling's stock has surged 72% in the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry, which rose 24.6% [8] - The company is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.7X, above the industry average of 20.54X [11] Future Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sterling's EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 40.3% for 2025 and 9.7% for 2026, reflecting positive market sentiment [12]

Summary of Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) Conference Call on CEC Acquisition Company and Industry - **Company**: Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) - **Acquisition Target**: CEC Facility Services, LLC - **Industry**: Electrical contracting, specifically in mission-critical sectors such as data centers, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing Core Points and Arguments 1. **Strategic Rationale for Acquisition**: The acquisition of CEC is aimed at enhancing Sterling's e-infrastructure segment by adding electrical and mechanical services, which are crucial for high-growth, mission-critical markets [5][6][10] 2. **CEC's Market Position**: CEC is a leading non-union electrical contractor with over 80% of its sales derived from mission-critical markets, including major clients like Texas Instruments, Samsung, Intel, and Meta [10][14] 3. **Transaction Details**: The total upfront consideration for the acquisition is $505 million, comprising $450 million in cash and $55 million in Sterling common stock, representing a 9.6x multiple on CEC's estimated 2025 EBITDA [8][9] 4. **Growth Projections**: CEC is expected to generate revenues of approximately $390 million to $415 million in 2025, reflecting a 12% year-over-year growth, with an EBITDA margin of 13% [14][15] 5. **Operational Synergies**: The combination of Sterling and CEC is anticipated to improve project execution, accelerate timelines, and enhance customer relationships, allowing for a more integrated service offering [8][15] 6. **Backlog and Visibility**: CEC's contracted backlog and future opportunities are approximately 1.9 times their 2025 revenue expectations, indicating strong demand and visibility into future projects [14][40] 7. **Management Continuity**: CEC's founder, Ray Waddell, will remain in a strategic leadership role, ensuring continuity and leveraging his expertise for growth [13] Additional Important Insights 1. **Geographic Expansion**: CEC has a strong presence in Texas and is expanding into the Rocky Mountain and Southeast regions, which aligns with Sterling's growth strategy [11][19] 2. **Service Revenue Potential**: CEC's service revenue, primarily from maintenance and retrofitting, is expected to grow, providing a recurring revenue stream that enhances long-term value [58][59] 3. **Future M&A Opportunities**: Sterling is open to pursuing additional smaller acquisitions in the electrical contracting space to further enhance capabilities and geographic reach [42][43] 4. **Customer Demand**: Customers have expressed a desire for integrated electrical and mechanical services, which positions Sterling to capture more attractive projects in the semiconductor and data center sectors [54][55] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call regarding Sterling Infrastructure's acquisition of CEC Facility Services, highlighting the strategic fit, financial expectations, and future growth opportunities.

STERLING TO ACQUIRE CEC FACILITIES GROUP June 17, 2025 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This presentation contains, and the officers and directors of the Company may from time to time make, statements that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about: the financial estimates or pr ...

Core Insights - Amentum Holdings (AMTM) and Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) are both stocks in the Engineering - R and D Services sector that present potential investment opportunities [1] - The Zacks Rank system indicates both companies hold a 2 (Buy) rating, suggesting positive earnings estimate revisions and improving earnings outlooks [3][4] Valuation Metrics - AMTM has a forward P/E ratio of 10.60, while STRL has a forward P/E of 23.70, indicating AMTM may be undervalued compared to STRL [5] - AMTM's PEG ratio is 0.82, suggesting better value relative to its expected earnings growth compared to STRL's PEG ratio of 1.58 [5] - AMTM's P/B ratio is 1.21, significantly lower than STRL's P/B of 7.47, further supporting AMTM's valuation as more favorable [6] Value Grades - Based on the valuation metrics, AMTM has earned a Value grade of A, while STRL has a Value grade of C, indicating AMTM is currently the superior value option [6][7]

Market Overview - All three major U.S. stock market indices fell by more than 1% on June 13 due to missile strikes between Israel and Iran, impacting global stock markets negatively [1] - Investors are concerned that these geopolitical tensions could lead to increased oil prices and upward pressure on global commodity prices [1] Investment Recommendations - Suggested low-leverage stocks for safeguarding portfolios during market turmoil include Novartis (NVS), The Ensign Group (ENSG), MasTec (MTZ), Bilibili (BILI), and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) [2][10] - These stocks are characterized by low leverage, making them potentially safer options for investors [2][10] Understanding Leverage - Leverage refers to the practice of borrowing capital for operations and expansion, typically through debt financing [4] - Excessive debt financing can lead to significant losses, hence the importance of selecting companies with low debt levels [5][6] Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric indicating a company's financial risk, with a lower ratio reflecting better solvency [7] - High debt-to-equity ratios can turn favorable earnings into losses during economic downturns [8] Stock Selection Strategy - A prudent investment strategy involves choosing stocks with low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [9] - Additional screening criteria include being less leveraged than industry peers, trading at a minimum price of $10, having substantial trading volume, and showing positive earnings growth expectations [12][13] Company Highlights - **Novartis (NVS)**: Reported a 7.1% improvement in 2025 sales estimates and has a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.9%, currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 [15][16] - **The Ensign Group (ENSG)**: Anticipates a 15% year-over-year sales improvement in 2025, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and a Zacks Rank 2 [17][18] - **MasTec (MTZ)**: Achieved a 6% year-over-year revenue increase and expects an 11% sales improvement in 2025, with a significant earnings growth estimate of 53.7% [19] - **Bilibili (BILI)**: Experienced a 24% revenue increase year-over-year and anticipates an 11.3% sales improvement in 2025, with a Zacks Rank 2 [20] - **Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)**: Reported a 7% revenue increase and a 29% surge in adjusted earnings per share, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% [21][22]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying and sustaining trends in short-term investing, highlighting that sound fundamentals and positive earnings estimates are crucial for maintaining momentum in stock prices [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) has shown a significant price increase of 60.3% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest and potential upside [3]. - The stock has also experienced a price increase of 7.7% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [4]. - STRL is currently trading at 95% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout opportunity [4]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - STRL holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, which are key indicators of near-term price movements [5]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term performance [6]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors can utilize the "Recent Price Strength" screen to identify stocks like STRL that are on an upward trend supported by strong fundamentals [2][7]. - It also mentions that there are over 45 Zacks Premium Screens available for investors to find stocks that align with their investment strategies [7].

Core Viewpoint - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. has appointed Nicholas Grindstaff as the new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 10, 2025, succeeding Ron Ballschmiede [1][4] Group 1: Leadership Appointment - Nicholas Grindstaff brings over 30 years of finance and leadership experience, particularly in the infrastructure and energy sectors [2] - Grindstaff's recent role was as CFO of Cinterra, a solar and renewable energy contractor, and he previously served as CFO of Orbital Infrastructure Group [2][3] - His extensive background includes over two decades at Quanta Services, where he held senior financial positions [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Sterling operates through subsidiaries in three segments: E-Infrastructure, Transportation, and Building Solutions, primarily in the Southern, Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, Rocky Mountain regions, and the Pacific Islands [4] - E-Infrastructure Solutions focuses on large-scale site development for various sectors, including manufacturing and data centers [4] - Transportation Solutions encompasses infrastructure projects for highways, bridges, airports, and more [4] - Building Solutions includes concrete foundations for residential and commercial projects, plumbing services, and surveys for new builds [4] - The company emphasizes sustainability and responsible operations to enhance quality of life for communities and stakeholders [4][5]

Company Overview - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) has established a strong position in the data-center construction sector, benefiting from the increasing demand for E-Infrastructure projects [1] - The company is recognized for its ability to manage complex, mission-critical projects and deliver high-quality outcomes, making it a trusted partner for data-center developers [1] Financial Performance - As of the end of the first quarter, STRL's total backlog reached $2.1 billion, with a gross margin of 17.7%, an increase of 100 basis points from 16.7% at the end of 2024 [2] - The E-Infrastructure Solutions segment accounted for $1.2 billion, approximately 57% of the total backlog, indicating a focus on high-margin opportunities [2] - In Q1 2025, revenues from the E-Infrastructure segment rose 18% year over year, with data center-related activity expanding by roughly 60% compared to the previous year [3] - Data-center projects now represent over 65% of the E-Infrastructure segment's backlog, enhancing future revenue visibility [3] - Adjusted operating margins for the E-Infrastructure segment increased by 618 basis points year over year to 23% [3] Market Outlook - The company anticipates continued strong demand for data centers as customers plan multiyear capital deployments and seek partnerships for project support [4] Competitor Landscape - Other industry players such as Jacobs Solutions Inc. and Dycom Industries, Inc. are also positioned to benefit from the growing demand for data-center infrastructure [5] - Jacobs is enhancing its presence in the data-center market with double-digit revenue growth and recent partnerships, including one with NVIDIA [6] - Dycom is expanding its work with hyperscalers, driven by increasing fiber demand linked to data centers and the growth of AI infrastructure [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - STRL's stock has increased by 12.4% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry's rise of 6.8% [8] - The company is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.21X, which is above the industry's average of 20.43X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRL's earnings in 2025 and 2026 indicates year-over-year increases of 38.5% and 11.6%, respectively [13]