We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. reported in-line third-quarter fiscal 2017 (ended Jun 30, 2017) results.
The company recently (Aug 7, 2017) announced that it would acquire its rival CH2M HILL Companies Ltd. (CH2M), in order to become a premier $15-billion global solutions provider, moving ahead. The estimated value of the deal is $2.85 billion and will likely be closed by Jacobs’ first-quarter fiscal 2018. The deal is anticipated to boost Jacobs’ inorganic growth trajectory and reinforce its industry competency over the long term.
Quarter in Details
Quarterly adjusted earnings came in at 79 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the bottom line came in higher than the year-ago tally by a penny.
Revenues
Revenues in the fiscal third quarter declined 6.6% year over year to $2,515.7 million. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,532 million.
Segment Details
Revenues of Petroleum & Chemicals segment came in at $600.5 million, plunging 21.7% year over year. Aerospace & Technology segment’s quarterly sales dropped 12.3% to $585.4 million. Industrial segment’s revenues were down 3.5% year over year to $681.6 million.
However, Buildings & Infrastructure segments’ sales climbed 16.9% year over year $647.3 million.
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Direct cost of contracts, a major expenditure for Jacobs, decreased 8.3% year over year to $2,055.4 million. Gross margin in the reported quarter came in at 18.3%, expanding 150 basis points (bps) year over year. The upside was driven by increased focus on more profit generating businesses and robust project execution.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were down approximately 3.2% year over year to $330.9 million. The company’s operating margin expanded 100 bps year over year to 5.1%.
At the end of the reported quarter, the company’s backlog totaled $18.6 billion, up 1.3% year over year.
Balance Sheet/Share Repurchase Update
Exiting third-quarter fiscal 2017, Jacobs’ cash and cash equivalents were approximately $758.3 million compared with $655.7 million as of Sep 30, 2016. Long-term debt was $282 million compared to $385.3 million as of Sep 30, 2016.
The company’s capital expenditure for the fiscal third quarter was $27.8 million, as against $17.1 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.
During the reported quarter, Jacobs paid dividends worth $18 million and repurchased 0.3 million common stock at an expense of $16 million.
Outlook
Jacobs aims to generate profitable commercial growth on the back of sound restructuring programs and the latest CH2M buyout. The company also intends to reinforce its business on the back of strategic cost-saving plans and record backlog levels. Based on the current market conditions, the company anticipates fiscal 2017 earnings to lie within the $3.00–$3.15 per share range.
Why a Poor Zacks Rank?
Jacobs currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Price volatilities in the energy market, dismal field services’ business or reduced public spending in the UK are expected to curtail near-term growth of the company. Moreover, headwinds such as stiff industry rivalry or a stronger U.S. dollar remain major causes of concerns.
Key Picks
A few better-ranked stocks in the industry are listed below:
NVR, Inc. (NVR - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has an average positive earnings surprise of 14.19% for the last four quarters.
Potlatch Corp. (PCH - Free Report) also flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 and generated an average positive earnings surprise of 41.16% over the past four quarters.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Jacobs (JEC) Meets Q3 Earnings, Announces $2.85B Buyout Deal
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. reported in-line third-quarter fiscal 2017 (ended Jun 30, 2017) results.
The company recently (Aug 7, 2017) announced that it would acquire its rival CH2M HILL Companies Ltd. (CH2M), in order to become a premier $15-billion global solutions provider, moving ahead. The estimated value of the deal is $2.85 billion and will likely be closed by Jacobs’ first-quarter fiscal 2018. The deal is anticipated to boost Jacobs’ inorganic growth trajectory and reinforce its industry competency over the long term.
Quarter in Details
Quarterly adjusted earnings came in at 79 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the bottom line came in higher than the year-ago tally by a penny.
Revenues
Revenues in the fiscal third quarter declined 6.6% year over year to $2,515.7 million. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,532 million.
Segment Details
Revenues of Petroleum & Chemicals segment came in at $600.5 million, plunging 21.7% year over year. Aerospace & Technology segment’s quarterly sales dropped 12.3% to $585.4 million. Industrial segment’s revenues were down 3.5% year over year to $681.6 million.
However, Buildings & Infrastructure segments’ sales climbed 16.9% year over year $647.3 million.
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Quote
Costs/Margin
Direct cost of contracts, a major expenditure for Jacobs, decreased 8.3% year over year to $2,055.4 million. Gross margin in the reported quarter came in at 18.3%, expanding 150 basis points (bps) year over year. The upside was driven by increased focus on more profit generating businesses and robust project execution.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were down approximately 3.2% year over year to $330.9 million. The company’s operating margin expanded 100 bps year over year to 5.1%.
At the end of the reported quarter, the company’s backlog totaled $18.6 billion, up 1.3% year over year.
Balance Sheet/Share Repurchase Update
Exiting third-quarter fiscal 2017, Jacobs’ cash and cash equivalents were approximately $758.3 million compared with $655.7 million as of Sep 30, 2016. Long-term debt was $282 million compared to $385.3 million as of Sep 30, 2016.
The company’s capital expenditure for the fiscal third quarter was $27.8 million, as against $17.1 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.
During the reported quarter, Jacobs paid dividends worth $18 million and repurchased 0.3 million common stock at an expense of $16 million.
Outlook
Jacobs aims to generate profitable commercial growth on the back of sound restructuring programs and the latest CH2M buyout. The company also intends to reinforce its business on the back of strategic cost-saving plans and record backlog levels. Based on the current market conditions, the company anticipates fiscal 2017 earnings to lie within the $3.00–$3.15 per share range.
Why a Poor Zacks Rank?
Jacobs currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Price volatilities in the energy market, dismal field services’ business or reduced public spending in the UK are expected to curtail near-term growth of the company. Moreover, headwinds such as stiff industry rivalry or a stronger U.S. dollar remain major causes of concerns.
Key Picks
A few better-ranked stocks in the industry are listed below:
KB Home (KBH - Free Report) generated an outstanding average positive earnings surprise of 12.47% over the trailing four quarters and currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
NVR, Inc. (NVR - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has an average positive earnings surprise of 14.19% for the last four quarters.
Potlatch Corp. (PCH - Free Report) also flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 and generated an average positive earnings surprise of 41.16% over the past four quarters.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>>