AECOM Tops Q2 Earnings, Misses on Revenue, Boosts 2025 View

Core Viewpoint - AECOM reported mixed results for Q2 fiscal 2025, with earnings exceeding estimates while revenues fell short of expectations and declined year-over-year, although net service revenues (NSR) increased [1][3]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $1.25, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.15 by 8.7% and marking a 20% increase from the previous year [3]. - Total revenues amounted to $3.77 billion, a 4% decline year-over-year, while adjusted NSR grew by 4% to $1.87 billion [3]. - Adjusted operating income rose to $218 million, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase, with an adjusted operating margin of 19.4%, up 130 basis points [6]. Backlog and Pipeline - Total backlog at the end of Q2 was $24.27 billion, an increase from $23.74 billion a year ago, with design backlog reaching a record high [4]. - The book-to-burn ratio in the U.S. design business was 1.2x, marking the 18th consecutive quarter above 1.0, indicating sustained demand [4]. Segment Performance - Revenues in the Americas segment were $2.9 billion, down 5% year-over-year, but NSR increased by 6% to $1.1 billion, driven by strong performance in the design business [5]. - International revenues decreased by 3% to $875 million, while NSR grew by 1% to $742 million, supported by growth in the U.K. and Hong Kong [7]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.6 billion, slightly up from $1.58 billion at the end of fiscal 2024, with total debt at $2.55 billion [11]. - Operating cash flow increased by 102% year-over-year to $191 million, and adjusted free cash flow rose by 141% to $178 million [11]. Guidance and Outlook - AECOM raised its fiscal 2025 guidance for adjusted EBITDA and EPS, expecting adjusted EPS in the range of $5.10-$5.20, indicating a 14% improvement from fiscal 2024 levels [12][13]. - The company anticipates 5-8% organic NSR growth for fiscal 2025 and expects adjusted EBITDA between $1.180-$1.210 billion, reflecting 9% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [13][14].