Q1 Adjusted EBITDA Growth and Margin Expansion
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations grew 10% year-over-year in Q1, with company-wide margin expansion of 100 basis points. Management raised full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $565 million at the midpoint, an $22.5 million increase from prior guidance and an 11% year-over-year increase implied at the midpoint.
Revenue and Guidance Raise
Full-year 2026 guidance (continuing operations) at the midpoint anticipates revenues of $2.65 billion, up roughly 6% year-over-year. Management increased full-year outlook driven by Engineered Structures strength and solid Construction Products execution.
Engineered Structures Outperformance and Record Margins
Engineered Structures segment revenues rose 4% in Q1 with utility and related structures delivering mid-teens revenue growth. Segment adjusted EBITDA increased ~21%, and segment margin reached a record 21.1%, up 300 basis points year-over-year. Management now expects segment adjusted EBITDA growth of ~10% at the midpoint for 2026.
Utility Structures Backlog and Demand Momentum
Utility and related structures ended the quarter with record backlog of $558 million, up 28% from the start of the year. Customer reservations (not in reported backlog) are described as robust, and several orders extend into 2028, supporting multi-year demand visibility.
Cash Flow, Balance Sheet Improvement and Divestiture
Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $58 million in Q1 versus a $21 million use in the prior year period. Free cash flow from continuing operations improved to $21 million from negative $49 million. Arcosa completed the $450 million barge divestiture (April 1) with estimated after-tax net proceeds of $370 million; pro forma net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA fell to 1.9x (from 2.3x at quarter end) and pro forma liquidity is approximately $1.1 billion.
Strategic M&A and Bolt-on Acquisition
Completed a $60 million bolt-on acquisition of a natural aggregates operation in Florida with accretive margins, supporting management's priority to deploy capital into natural and recycled aggregates and other high-return bolt-ons.
Operational Execution on Capacity Expansion
Successfully advanced key capacity projects: conversion of an idle Illinois wind-tower plant to utility poles (expected to produce large poles by end of Q2) and first dip completed at new galvanizing facility in Mexico with commercial operation expected in Q2; these moves aim to align capacity with strong utility demand.
Construction Products Aggregates Performance
Aggregates freight-adjusted revenues grew ~6% (2% pricing, 4% volume). Adjusted cash gross profit per ton increased 7% and adjusted cash gross profit margin improved ~220 basis points in aggregates. Trench shoring performed very strongly with revenues and adjusted EBITDA up ~26%.