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AECOM (ACM - Free Report) reported mixed first-quarter fiscal 2022 results, with earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and revenues missing the same.
Post the results, shares of the technical and management support services provider gained nearly 0.9% during after-hours trading on Feb 7. Positive investor sentiments were witnessed as the company reported better-than-expected earnings guidance for fiscal 2022.
Gaurav Kapoor, AECOM’s chief financial officer, stated, “We are compounding our earnings at a high rate, built on a plan for accelerating organic NSR growth, the strong underlying profitability of the business, and our intent to continue to return cash flow to our shareholders. This confidence is reflected in our increased EPS guidance for this year.”
Delving Deeper
During the fiscal first quarter, adjusted earnings per share of 89 cents topped the consensus mark of 77 cents by 15.6%. The bottom line also improved 43.5% from 62 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.
In the quarter under review, revenues of $3,266.7 million missed the consensus mark of $3,472 million by 5.9% and also declined 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, net service revenues or NSR moved up 5% for the quarter. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of accelerating organic NSR growth.
Segment Details
During the fiscal first quarter, Americas revenues came in at $2,463.5 million, down 3.7% from the prior-year quarter’s levels. Net service revenues or NSR of $887.7 million for the quarter gained 2.9% year over year, backed by strength in market conditions, client budgets coupled with the successful execution of backlogs and pursuits. Adjusted operating income of $158 million was up 4% year over year. Adjusted operating margin (on an NSR basis) also expanded 30 basis points or bps year over year to 17.7%. This upside reflected the benefits of the actions undertaken to boost margins, featuring investments in technology as well as benefits from project delivery efficiencies.
During the quarter, International revenues increased 6.2% year over year to $802.4 million. NSR during the quarter increased 6.8% year over year to $654 million. Adjusted operating income in the segment rose 24% year on year to $53 million. Adjusted operating margin (on an NSR basis) also jumped 110 bps year over year to 8.2%. Actions undertaken to improve margins included investments in the business to enable more efficient delivery and strong execution.
Operating Highlights
Adjusted segment operating margin for the quarter amounted to 13.7%, up 60 bps from the year-ago quarter’s level. Adjusted EBITDA also rose 10% year over year to $208 million.
As of December-end, the company’s total backlog came in at $38.8 billion, compared with $38.6 million reported in the previous quarter. The backlog level included 15% contracted backlog growth, with increases in the Design and Construction Management businesses.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
As of Dec 31, 2021, AECOM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,082.4 million compared with $1,044.7 million in the prior-year period.
Total debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance cost) as of Dec 31, 2021, stood at $2,229 million, compared with $2,090.7 million as of Dec 31, 2020.
Fiscal 2022 Guidance
For fiscal 2022, the company expects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the range of $3.30-$3.50, up from the prior estimate of $3.20-$3.40. This indicates a 21% adjusted EPS improvement at the mid-point of the guidance from fiscal 2021 levels. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2022 earnings is currently pegged at $3.30 per share.
AECOM also expects adjusted EBITDA guidance in the range of $880-$920 million, indicating 8% year-over-year growth at the midpoint. The company anticipates free cash flow in the range of $450-$650 million.
Some Better-Ranked Stocks in the Construction Sector
Boise, ID-based Boise Cascade Company (BCC - Free Report) — which makes wood products and distributes building materials in the United States as well as Canada — is aided by factors like favorable commodity wood products, pricing, and robust construction activity.
Boise Cascade flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 45.5%, on average. Shares of BCC have increased 51.3% in the past year.
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LPX - Free Report) is a leading manufacturer of sustainable, quality engineered wood building materials, structural framing products and exterior siding for use in residential, industrial and light commercial construction. It operates through four segments: Siding, Oriented Strand Board, Engineered Wood Products and South America.
Louisiana-Pacific flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.5%, on average. Shares of LPX have increased 61% in the past year.
Weyerhaeuser Company (WY - Free Report) is one of the leading U.S. forest product companies. The company has been benefiting from solid new residential construction activity, leading to improved demand. Also, its focus on operational excellence has been advantageous over time.
Weyerhaeuser flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company’s earnings estimates for the current fiscal year have increased 8.8% in the past seven days. Shares of the company have jumped 16.5% in the past year.
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AECOM's (ACM) Tops Q1 Earnings Estimates, Gives Upbeat View
AECOM (ACM - Free Report) reported mixed first-quarter fiscal 2022 results, with earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and revenues missing the same.
Post the results, shares of the technical and management support services provider gained nearly 0.9% during after-hours trading on Feb 7. Positive investor sentiments were witnessed as the company reported better-than-expected earnings guidance for fiscal 2022.
Gaurav Kapoor, AECOM’s chief financial officer, stated, “We are compounding our earnings at a high rate, built on a plan for accelerating organic NSR growth, the strong underlying profitability of the business, and our intent to continue to return cash flow to our shareholders. This confidence is reflected in our increased EPS guidance for this year.”
Delving Deeper
During the fiscal first quarter, adjusted earnings per share of 89 cents topped the consensus mark of 77 cents by 15.6%. The bottom line also improved 43.5% from 62 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.
AECOM Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
AECOM price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | AECOM Quote
In the quarter under review, revenues of $3,266.7 million missed the consensus mark of $3,472 million by 5.9% and also declined 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, net service revenues or NSR moved up 5% for the quarter. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of accelerating organic NSR growth.
Segment Details
During the fiscal first quarter, Americas revenues came in at $2,463.5 million, down 3.7% from the prior-year quarter’s levels. Net service revenues or NSR of $887.7 million for the quarter gained 2.9% year over year, backed by strength in market conditions, client budgets coupled with the successful execution of backlogs and pursuits. Adjusted operating income of $158 million was up 4% year over year. Adjusted operating margin (on an NSR basis) also expanded 30 basis points or bps year over year to 17.7%. This upside reflected the benefits of the actions undertaken to boost margins, featuring investments in technology as well as benefits from project delivery efficiencies.
During the quarter, International revenues increased 6.2% year over year to $802.4 million. NSR during the quarter increased 6.8% year over year to $654 million. Adjusted operating income in the segment rose 24% year on year to $53 million. Adjusted operating margin (on an NSR basis) also jumped 110 bps year over year to 8.2%. Actions undertaken to improve margins included investments in the business to enable more efficient delivery and strong execution.
Operating Highlights
Adjusted segment operating margin for the quarter amounted to 13.7%, up 60 bps from the year-ago quarter’s level. Adjusted EBITDA also rose 10% year over year to $208 million.
As of December-end, the company’s total backlog came in at $38.8 billion, compared with $38.6 million reported in the previous quarter. The backlog level included 15% contracted backlog growth, with increases in the Design and Construction Management businesses.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
As of Dec 31, 2021, AECOM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,082.4 million compared with $1,044.7 million in the prior-year period.
Total debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance cost) as of Dec 31, 2021, stood at $2,229 million, compared with $2,090.7 million as of Dec 31, 2020.
Fiscal 2022 Guidance
For fiscal 2022, the company expects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the range of $3.30-$3.50, up from the prior estimate of $3.20-$3.40. This indicates a 21% adjusted EPS improvement at the mid-point of the guidance from fiscal 2021 levels. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2022 earnings is currently pegged at $3.30 per share.
AECOM also expects adjusted EBITDA guidance in the range of $880-$920 million, indicating 8% year-over-year growth at the midpoint. The company anticipates free cash flow in the range of $450-$650 million.
Zacks Rank
AECOM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Some Better-Ranked Stocks in the Construction Sector
Boise, ID-based Boise Cascade Company (BCC - Free Report) — which makes wood products and distributes building materials in the United States as well as Canada — is aided by factors like favorable commodity wood products, pricing, and robust construction activity.
Boise Cascade flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 45.5%, on average. Shares of BCC have increased 51.3% in the past year.
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LPX - Free Report) is a leading manufacturer of sustainable, quality engineered wood building materials, structural framing products and exterior siding for use in residential, industrial and light commercial construction. It operates through four segments: Siding, Oriented Strand Board, Engineered Wood Products and South America.
Louisiana-Pacific flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.5%, on average. Shares of LPX have increased 61% in the past year.
Weyerhaeuser Company (WY - Free Report) is one of the leading U.S. forest product companies. The company has been benefiting from solid new residential construction activity, leading to improved demand. Also, its focus on operational excellence has been advantageous over time.
Weyerhaeuser flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company’s earnings estimates for the current fiscal year have increased 8.8% in the past seven days. Shares of the company have jumped 16.5% in the past year.