Stantec reports strong first quarter 2025 results, with 29% increase in adjusted earnings per share and record backlog of $7.9 billion

Core Insights - Stantec reported a strong first quarter for 2025, with net revenue increasing by 13.3% year-over-year to $1.6 billion, driven by both organic growth of 5.9$252.3 million, reflecting a 19.1% increase, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.2%, which is a 70 basis point improvement compared to the same quarter in 2024 [3][6][11] - Stantec's backlog reached a record high of $7.9 billion, up 12.8$100.1 million, with diluted EPS rising by 29.4% to $0.88 [11][12] - Adjusted net income grew by 28.9$132.8 million, achieving 8.6% of net revenue, an increase of 110 basis points [11][12] - Operating cash flows increased significantly by 135.8% to $100.7 million, demonstrating strong cash flow generation [11] Growth Strategy - Stantec reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, targeting net revenue growth of 7% to 10%, with adjusted EBITDA margin expected to be between 16.7% and 17.3% [5][8][9] - The company is optimistic about organic growth in both the US and Canada, expecting mid- to high-single-digit growth driven by a robust backlog [8][10] - Stantec has entered into definitive agreements to acquire Page and Ryan Hanley, which will enhance its capabilities and expand its workforce by over 1,500 team members [4][6][15] Market Position - The acquisition of Page, a 1,400-person architecture and engineering firm, positions Stantec to become the second largest architecture firm in the US, enhancing its expertise in advanced manufacturing and healthcare [4][6][11] - The acquisition of Ryan Hanley strengthens Stantec's presence in the Irish water sector, further diversifying its service offerings [15] Segment Performance - In Q1 2025, net revenue by region showed strong performance, with Canada achieving 12.2% organic growth, the US growing by 2.4%, and Global operations increasing by 7.5% [13] - The project margin increased to 54.3%, reflecting solid project execution and effective cost management [11][12] Future Outlook - Stantec anticipates continued strong demand and operational performance, with a focus on maintaining high project margins and effective cost management strategies [9][10] - The company expects adjusted EPS growth of 16% to 19% compared to 2024, indicating confidence in its financial trajectory [10]