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Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)
NASDAQ:STRL

Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) AI Stock Analysis

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STRL

Sterling Infrastructure

(NASDAQ:STRL)

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Outperform 76 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$514.00
▲(12.90% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/27/26
STRL scores well on financial performance and an optimistic, backlog-supported 2026 outlook, reinforced by strong technical momentum. The main constraint on the overall score is premium valuation (high P/E) and the absence of a dividend yield, with additional watch items around cash-flow variability and segment concentration/building softness.
Positive Factors
Backlog & Pipeline Visibility
A materially enlarged signed backlog and visible future-phase pipeline provide multi-quarter revenue visibility, lowering near-term bid/revenue risk and supporting resource planning. This underpins scalable execution, supports margin consistency on contracted work, and aids medium-term growth planning.
Improved Balance Sheet & Leverage
Meaningful deleveraging and equity growth enhance financial flexibility to fund organic growth, M&A, and opportunistic buybacks while withstanding project timing shocks. Strong balance-sheet capacity reduces refinancing and covenant risk and supports disciplined capital allocation over the next several quarters.
Operational Productivity & Modularization
Adoption of AI and modular prefabrication boosts execution efficiency, lowers per-project labor and schedule risk, and can sustainably raise margins as scale grows. These productivity levers create durable operating leverage, supporting margin resilience across the project cycle and aiding competitive differentiation.
Negative Factors
Revenue Concentration Risk
High concentration in mission-critical/data-center work increases exposure to cyclical demand swings in hyperscale tech and semiconductor capex. A downturn or project deferrals in these end markets could disproportionately reduce revenue and utilization, amplifying earnings volatility.
Building Solutions Softness
Persistent housing affordability headwinds and a soft residential market depress a core segment, creating a near-term revenue and margin drag. Prolonged weakness here limits diversification benefits and could pressure consolidated margins if offsetting growth in higher-margin areas slows.
Elevated Acquisition & CapEx Deployment
Large recent M&A and rising CapEx increase execution and integration risk, and require sustained cash generation to realize assumed synergies. If acquisitions underperform or integration diverts management focus, margins and returns could be pressured over the medium term.

Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Sterling Infrastructure Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSterling Infrastructure, Inc. engages in the transportation, e-infrastructure, and building solutions primarily in the Southern United States, the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States, the Rocky Mountain states, California, and Hawaii. It undertakes infrastructure and rehabilitation projects for highways, roads, bridges, airports, ports, light rail, water, wastewater, and storm drainage systems for the departments of transportation in various states, regional transit authorities, airport authorities, port authorities, water authorities and railroads. The company also provides specialty site infrastructure improvement contracting services for blue-chip end users in the e-commerce, data center, distribution center and warehousing, and energy sectors. In addition, it undertakes residential and commercial concrete foundations for single-family and multi-family homes, parking structures, elevated slabs, and other concrete work for national home builders, regional and custom home builders, and developers and general contractors in commercial markets. The company was formerly known as Sterling Construction Company, Inc. and changed its name to Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. in June 2022. Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneySterling Infrastructure generates revenue through a diverse range of services in the infrastructure sector. The primary revenue streams include government contracts for public works projects, private sector contracts for commercial construction, and specialized services such as utility maintenance and environmental cleanup. The company often engages in long-term contracts which provide a steady income stream. Additionally, Sterling Infrastructure benefits from strategic partnerships with government agencies and private companies, allowing them to secure large-scale projects and enhance their market presence. Factors such as increased government spending on infrastructure development, urbanization trends, and the need for infrastructure upgrades also contribute to the company's earnings.

Sterling Infrastructure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Operating Income by Segment
Operating Income by Segment
Shows profitability across different business areas, helping investors assess which segments are driving earnings and where there might be challenges.
Chart InsightsSterling Infrastructure's E-Infrastructure and Transportation segments are driving robust growth, with E-Infrastructure showing remarkable momentum, aligning with a 58% revenue increase. Despite a downturn in the Building Solutions segment due to housing market challenges, the company's strategic focus on high-margin markets and a strong backlog, particularly in E-Infrastructure, positions it well for future growth. The optimistic earnings call underscores the company's resilience and strategic positioning, with a significant backlog increase and a positive outlook for multiyear growth opportunities in data centers and manufacturing markets.
Data provided by:The Fly

Sterling Infrastructure Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 25, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
Next Earnings Date:May 04, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented strong, broad-based financial and operational momentum—notably large revenue and EPS growth, record margins, robust operating cash flow, a materially expanded backlog and confident 2026 guidance driven by E-Infrastructure and data-center opportunities. Key near-term headwinds include weakness in Building Solutions, concentration in mission-critical work, federal funding timing for transportation, and increased near-term capital and acquisition deployment. Management emphasized margin improvement, modular/AI productivity initiatives, and disciplined capital allocation which underpin the company's upbeat outlook.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Full-Year Revenue and EPS Growth
Full-year 2025 revenue grew over 32% year-over-year and adjusted diluted EPS increased over 53%, marking the fifth consecutive year of adjusted EPS growth greater than 35%.
Record Margins and Cash Generation
Full-year gross margin reached 23% and adjusted EBITDA margins exceeded 20% for the first time; operating cash flow for 2025 was a strong $440 million (quarterly operating cash flow in Q4 was $186 million).
Outstanding Fourth Quarter Performance
Q4 revenue grew 69% year-over-year; adjusted diluted EPS rose 78% to $3.08; adjusted EBITDA for the quarter increased 70% to $142 million; organic Q4 growth was 36%.
E-Infrastructure Segment Momentum
Full-year E-Infrastructure revenue grew 59% (40% organic) with adjusted operating income up 67%; adjusted operating margins nearly 25% (up >120 bps). Q4 E-Infrastructure revenue surged 123% (67% organic) and adjusted operating income grew 91%; data center and mission-critical work drove growth.
Backlog and Pipeline Visibility
Signed backlog at year-end totaled $3.0 billion (up 78% YoY; ~50% same-store increase). Including $301 million unsigned awards and future-phase opportunities exceeding $1.0 billion, management cites visibility into ~ $4.5 billion of work.
Transportation and CEC Contributions
Transportation Solutions full-year revenue grew 17% with adjusted operating profit up 66%; Q4 revenue grew 24% and adjusted operating profit more than doubled. CEC acquisition revenue increased 21% in the quarter and is accelerating electrical/site development traction, particularly in Texas.
Confident 2026 Guidance
Company initiated 2026 guidance: revenue $3.05B–$3.20B, adjusted diluted EPS $13.45–$14.05, adjusted EBITDA $626M–$659M. Management states midpoints imply ~25%+ year-over-year growth across key metrics and expects E-Infrastructure revenue growth of 40%+ with 23%–24% margins.
Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet Strength
Ended quarter with $391M cash and $291M debt (net cash of $100M); $150M revolver undrawn. 2025 deployed $482M on acquisitions and $77M CapEx; remaining share repurchase authorization ~$374M while continuing opportunistic buybacks.
Operational Productivity and Innovation
Modularization expansion (CEC facility ~300,000 sq ft) to prefabricate components; AI pilots increased project manager capacity by ~15%–20% and multiple AI initiatives underway to improve estimating, execution and safety.
Negative Updates
Building Solutions Weakness
Building Solutions full-year revenue declined 6% and adjusted operating profit fell 23%. In Q4, segment revenue declined 9% and adjusted operating margins were ~10%. Management expects 2026 Building revenue to decline in the high single to low double digits due to near-term housing affordability headwinds.
Concentration Risk in Mission-Critical Work
Mission-critical projects (data centers, large manufacturing, semiconductors) represent 84% of E-Infrastructure signed backlog, indicating revenue concentration and potential exposure to demand shifts in those end markets.
Transportation Funding Uncertainty and Business Mix Shift
Transportation Solutions is in the final year of the federal funding cycle (ends Sept 2026), and management is intentionally downsizing low-bid heavy highway work in Texas—which may moderate top-line growth even as margins improve.
Combined Book-to-Burn Ratio Below 1.0
Reported Q4 book-to-burn ratios were 1.64x for backlog but only 0.81x for combined backlog, which could indicate lower replenishment relative to expected burn when including acquired/combined metrics.
Higher Near-Term CapEx and Acquisition Spending
2025 investing included $482M of acquisitions and $77M CapEx; 2026 CapEx is expected to increase to $100M–$110M to support growth — higher near-term capital deployment increases execution and integration risk.
Residential Market Headwinds and Timing Risk
Residential/new-home demand remains soft due to affordability; management expects a slow first half of 2026 and notes a multi-month inventory absorption lag before any cyclical recovery will materially boost new-build activity.
Company Guidance
Sterling provided 2026 guidance for revenue of $3.05–$3.20 billion, GAAP diluted EPS of $11.65–$12.25 and adjusted diluted EPS of $13.45–$14.05; EBITDA of $587–$620 million and adjusted EBITDA of $626–$659 million — midpoints imply roughly 25%+ revenue growth, ~26% adjusted EPS growth and ~28% adjusted EBITDA growth year‑over‑year. Management expects E‑Infrastructure revenue growth of 40%+ (20%+ in the legacy business) with adjusted operating margins of 23–24%; Transportation Solutions growth is forecast at low‑ to mid‑single digits with continued margin expansion; Building Solutions is expected to see revenue decline of high‑single to low‑double digits with adjusted operating margins in the low double digits. CapEx is guided to $100–$110 million, operating cash flow is expected to remain strong after $440 million in 2025 (free‑cash‑flow conversion conservatively ~80% of EBITDA), and the guidance is supported by signed backlog of $3.0 billion ($3.3B combined), signed backlog growth of 78% y/y (49% ex‑CEC), combined backlog up 81% (42% ex‑CEC), $301 million of unsigned awards and >$1 billion of future‑phase opportunities; Q4 book‑to‑burn was 1.64x (backlog) and 0.81x (combined). Balance‑sheet metrics cited include $391 million cash, $291 million debt (net cash ~$100 million), an undrawn $150 million revolver and $374 million of remaining share‑repurchase authorization.

Sterling Infrastructure Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong multi-year revenue and profitability expansion, improved leverage (debt-to-equity down materially), and robust free cash flow generation. Offsets include some margin variability and uneven operating cash flow year to year, which is important for a project-based business.
Income Statement
86
Very Positive
Annual revenue has grown consistently from $1.23B (2020) to $2.49B (2025), with an acceleration in the latest year (2025 revenue growth ~11.5%). Profitability has expanded meaningfully: gross margin improved from ~14.6% (2020) to ~23.0% (2025) and net margin rose from ~3.4% to ~11.7%, driving net income up to $290M (2025) from $42M (2020). A key watch item is some year-to-year variability in operating profitability metrics (e.g., EBITDA margin lower in 2025 vs. 2024), suggesting margins can fluctuate with project mix and execution.
Balance Sheet
82
Very Positive
Leverage has improved materially, with debt-to-equity declining from ~1.44x (2020) to ~0.32x (2025), alongside a sizable build in equity ($267M to $1.11B) and asset growth ($0.98B to $2.63B). Returns on equity are strong (roughly ~22%–32% in recent years; ~26% in 2025), indicating efficient capital use. The main risk is that returns are high in a cyclical industry, so maintaining these levels may be harder if demand or project economics soften.
Cash Flow
74
Positive
Cash generation is solid, with operating cash flow of $440M and free cash flow of $363M in 2025, and free cash flow generally tracking net income well (free cash flow about ~70%–87% of net income across the period; ~82% in 2025). However, operating cash flow has been somewhat uneven year to year (down in 2025 vs. 2024 despite higher earnings), and free cash flow growth in 2025 was negative versus 2024, pointing to working-capital or timing volatility that investors should monitor.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.49B2.12B1.97B1.77B1.41B
Gross Profit572.31M426.12M337.64M274.57M203.53M
EBITDA405.92M451.94M277.34M212.82M142.32M
Net Income290.15M257.46M138.66M106.46M62.65M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.63B2.03B1.80B1.47B1.26B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments390.72M664.20M471.56M185.26M64.77M
Total Debt349.91M369.27M398.88M491.16M471.50M
Total Liabilities1.53B1.21B1.18B991.13M901.45M
Stockholders Equity1.11B808.08M618.91M474.60M358.77M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow362.68M416.15M414.20M158.21M112.28M
Operating Cash Flow439.99M497.10M478.58M219.12M158.93M
Investing Cash Flow-551.92M-185.85M-87.75M-89.75M-223.45M
Financing Cash Flow-161.54M-118.62M-104.53M-32.79M80.57M

Sterling Infrastructure Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price455.25
Price Trends
50DMA
357.43
Positive
100DMA
355.52
Positive
200DMA
305.37
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
25.64
Negative
RSI
68.26
Neutral
STOCH
73.29
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For STRL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 455.25 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 408.04, above the 50-day MA of 357.43, and above the 200-day MA of 305.37, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 25.64 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 68.26 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 73.29 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for STRL.

Sterling Infrastructure Risk Analysis

Sterling Infrastructure disclosed 42 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Sterling Infrastructure reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Sterling Infrastructure Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
83
Outperform
$12.41B41.9021.90%13.19%33.58%
76
Outperform
$14.12B44.6435.73%6.20%72.81%
74
Outperform
$8.21B30.2817.79%0.25%21.45%67.31%
72
Outperform
$7.85B62.4013.71%54.20%38.64%
70
Outperform
$5.92B37.4917.59%0.45%6.87%64.56%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
55
Neutral
$7.78B-42.68-1.42%-1.81%1228.51%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STRL
Sterling Infrastructure
455.25
332.10
269.67%
DY
Dycom
425.47
263.34
162.43%
FLR
Fluor
53.55
16.21
43.41%
GVA
Granite Construction
135.47
54.53
67.37%
PRIM
Primoris Services
153.20
81.70
114.28%
ROAD
Construction Partners
136.50
65.16
91.34%

Sterling Infrastructure Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Sterling Infrastructure posts strong 2025 results, upbeat 2026 outlook
Positive
Feb 25, 2026

On February 25, 2026, Sterling reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results marked by double-digit revenue, earnings and cash flow growth, supported by the CEC acquisition and a strategic shift toward higher-margin services. Revenue for 2025 rose to $2.49 billion, adjusted net income increased 53% to $336.7 million, backlog and combined backlog surged more than 78% year over year to a combined $3.31 billion, and management issued 2026 guidance implying roughly 25% revenue growth and robust gains in adjusted earnings and EBITDA, underscoring confidence in demand for mission-critical infrastructure despite housing-related softness in its Building Solutions segment.

The most recent analyst rating on (STRL) stock is a Buy with a $486.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Sterling Infrastructure stock, see the STRL Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 27, 2026