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Sterling Construction (STRL)
NASDAQ:STRL

Sterling Construction (STRL) AI Stock Analysis

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Sterling Construction

(NASDAQ:STRL)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$254.00
▲(16.53%Upside)
Sterling Construction's strong financial performance and strategic corporate events significantly bolster its stock score. Despite positive technical trends, overbought signals present potential risks. The optimistic earnings call further supports a favorable outlook, though valuation remains a consideration.
Positive Factors
Acquisition Strategy
Sterling announced an agreement to acquire CEC Facilities Group, a leading electrical contractor, for $505 million.
Financial Performance
Shares of Sterling Infrastructure are trading up 5% after reporting strong first-quarter results with beats on revenue, EBITDA, and EPS as well as strong backlog growth of 17%.
Growth Opportunities
Sterling sees a significant opportunity to cross-sell opportunities, such as selling its site development services to CEC’s semiconductor customer base.
Negative Factors
Market Concentration Risk
More than 65% of e-infrastructure backlog is related to data center work, which could pose a risk if demand in this sector declines.
Revenue Guidance
Inclusive of the estimated contributions from Drake, guidance for 2025 implies that revenue was reduced by ~$30 million at the midpoint.

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

Sterling Construction 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 Construction generates revenue through its construction contracts, primarily in the transportation and water infrastructure sectors. The company bids on and secures contracts from government agencies and private clients for large-scale civil engineering projects. Key revenue streams include project management, construction, and maintenance services for infrastructure projects. Sterling's earnings are also influenced by its strategic partnerships with other construction firms and suppliers, allowing it to undertake and complete complex projects efficiently. The company's financial performance is further impacted by factors such as government infrastructure spending, economic conditions, and the competitive landscape in the construction industry.

Sterling Construction Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 05, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 30.79%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 11, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects strong overall performance with significant growth in the E-Infrastructure Solutions segment and record financial metrics. The strategic acquisition of Drake Concrete and robust backlog growth further support a positive outlook. However, challenges in the Building Solutions segment and increased administrative costs present some areas of concern. Overall, the positive aspects and growth opportunities outweigh the negatives.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Growth in E-Infrastructure Solutions
E-Infrastructure Solutions segment revenue grew by 18%, with a significant 60% increase in the data center market. Adjusted operating income in this segment grew 61% with operating margins reaching 23%, a 618 basis point increase.
Record Earnings and Profit Margins
Adjusted earnings per share increased by 29% to $1.63. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 31% to $80 million. Gross profit margins expanded more than 400 basis points from the prior year to reach 22%.
Significant Backlog Growth
Backlog increased by 17% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, with a book-to-burn ratio above two times. E-Infrastructure Solutions backlog rose by 27% in the first quarter.
Positive Cash Flow and Liquidity Position
Operating cash flow generation was strong at $85 million. The company ended the quarter with $638.6 million in cash and a net cash position of $328.6 million.
Strategic Acquisition of Drake Concrete
Acquired Drake Concrete for $25 million, expected to contribute $55 million in revenue and $6.5 million in EBITDA for 2025.
Negative Updates
Decline in Building Solutions Segment
Building Solutions segment revenue declined 14% and adjusted operating income declined 18% due to affordability challenges in the housing market, severe weather, and a challenging comparison to the previous year.
Increased General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $7.3 million, influenced by one-time separation expenses and investments in personnel and systems.
Company Guidance
During Sterling Infrastructure's first quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided optimistic financial guidance for the year. They anticipate revenue between $2.05 billion and $2.15 billion, with net income projected at $222 million to $239 million. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) are expected to range from $7.15 to $7.65, while adjusted diluted EPS is forecasted between $8.40 and $8.90. The company also projects EBITDA of $381 million to $403 million and adjusted EBITDA from $410 million to $432 million. This guidance reflects the company's strong outlook based on its robust backlog, which reached $2.1 billion with a book-to-burn ratio above two times. Sterling's strategic focus includes expanding its E-Infrastructure Solutions segment, which saw a 27% increase in backlog, and maintaining growth in the Transportation Solutions segment, driven by federal funding and market demand.

Sterling Construction Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Sterling Construction shows a robust financial profile with strong revenue growth, profitability, and efficient cash flow management. The company maintains healthy margins and a stable capital structure, positioning it well for future growth.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Sterling Construction has demonstrated strong revenue growth with a steady increase over the years, culminating in a notable TTM revenue of $2.11 billion. The company maintains a healthy gross profit margin of approximately 20.9% and a net profit margin of 12.6% in the TTM, indicating effective cost management and profitability. Moreover, EBIT and EBITDA margins of 13.2% and 20.8% respectively in the TTM highlight robust operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Sterling's balance sheet exhibits a solid equity position, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45 and a substantial equity ratio of 39.6% in the TTM, signifying a stable capital structure with moderate leverage. Return on equity stands strong at 33.0%, reflecting efficient utilization of shareholders' funds to generate profits. The company's increasing asset base further strengthens its financial footing.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
The company's cash flow statement reveals significant free cash flow generation with a growth rate of 9.6% from the previous year, underpinning financial flexibility. With an operating cash flow to net income ratio of 2.00 in the TTM, Sterling demonstrates effective cash conversion from earnings, ensuring liquidity to support operations and investments.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.11B2.12B1.97B1.77B1.41B1.23B
Gross Profit
444.06M426.12M337.64M274.57M192.07M179.93M
EBIT
278.57M264.62M205.79M159.87M107.01M92.61M
EBITDA
444.32M451.94M277.34M211.43M142.32M126.43M
Net Income Common Stockholders
265.89M257.46M138.66M106.46M62.65M42.31M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
638.65M664.20M471.56M181.54M60.95M66.19M
Total Assets
2.03B2.02B1.78B1.44B1.23B952.69M
Total Debt
358.69M369.27M398.88M491.16M471.50M385.23M
Net Debt
-279.96M-294.92M-72.68M309.62M410.56M319.04M
Total Liabilities
1.21B1.19B1.15B963.82M874.55M683.97M
Stockholders Equity
805.42M808.08M618.91M474.60M358.77M267.27M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
455.95M416.15M414.20M158.21M112.28M86.42M
Operating Cash Flow
532.40M497.10M478.58M219.12M158.93M119.28M
Investing Cash Flow
-219.01M-185.85M-87.75M-89.75M-223.45M-30.49M
Financing Cash Flow
-155.15M-118.62M-104.53M-32.79M80.57M-70.33M

Sterling Construction Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price217.97
Price Trends
50DMA
175.70
Positive
100DMA
150.86
Positive
200DMA
157.73
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
11.86
Negative
RSI
70.68
Negative
STOCH
74.55
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 217.97 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 199.25, above the 50-day MA of 175.70, and above the 200-day MA of 157.73, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 11.86 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 70.68 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 74.55 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for STRL.

Sterling Construction Risk Analysis

Sterling Construction disclosed 42 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Sterling Construction 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 Construction Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
$5.73B87.949.21%31.49%-0.13%
78
Outperform
$5.42B23.7037.73%21.53%66.65%
77
Outperform
$6.63B25.4836.67%4.84%77.84%
GVGVA
75
Outperform
$3.89B39.1312.75%0.58%11.42%247.33%
74
Outperform
$4.00B19.6215.30%0.43%12.45%42.45%
DYDY
68
Neutral
$6.77B29.6719.76%12.77%1.55%
66
Neutral
$4.44B12.065.34%6.22%4.17%-11.81%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
STRL
Sterling Construction
217.97
101.79
87.61%
DY
Dycom
234.00
67.54
40.57%
GVA
Granite Construction
89.03
27.36
44.37%
IESC
IES Holdings
273.13
142.01
108.31%
PRIM
Primoris Services
74.00
22.23
42.94%
ROAD
Construction Partners
102.34
47.15
85.43%

Sterling Construction Corporate Events

M&A Transactions
Sterling Construction Announces Major Asset Acquisition Deal
Positive
Jun 18, 2025

On June 16, 2025, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire substantially all assets of CEC Facilities Group, LLC for $505 million, comprising $450 million in cash and $55 million in common stock. This acquisition, expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, aims to enhance Sterling’s market position by integrating CEC’s services and retaining key employees, although it remains subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (STRL) stock is a Buy with a $185.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Sterling Construction stock, see the STRL Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Sterling Construction Acquires CEC Facilities for $505 Million
Positive
Jun 17, 2025

On June 17, 2025, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced its agreement to acquire CEC Facilities Group, a leading electrical and mechanical contractor based in Texas, for $505 million. This acquisition, expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, will expand Sterling’s E-Infrastructure services into mission-critical electrical contracting, enhancing their market position and offering significant opportunities for cross-selling and growth in high-value sectors like semiconductors and data centers. The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to Sterling’s financial profile, with strong revenue and earnings contributions expected from CEC’s operations.

The most recent analyst rating on (STRL) stock is a Buy with a $185.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Sterling Construction stock, see the STRL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Sterling Construction Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Positive
Jun 12, 2025

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced the appointment of Nicholas Grindstaff as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 10, 2025, succeeding Ron Ballschmiede. Grindstaff, with over 30 years of experience in finance and leadership in the infrastructure and energy industries, previously served as CFO at Cinterra and Orbital Infrastructure Group. His extensive expertise in financial strategy and leadership is expected to support Sterling’s growth and strategic objectives.

The most recent analyst rating on (STRL) stock is a Buy with a $185.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Sterling Construction stock, see the STRL Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Sterling Construction Amends Credit Agreement for Growth
Positive
Jun 9, 2025

On June 5, 2025, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. amended its 2019 credit agreement, extending its maturity to June 2028 and increasing the facility size. The amended agreement, led by BMO Capital Markets, includes a $300 million term loan and a $150 million revolving credit facility, with improved financial flexibility and reduced interest margins. This strategic move positions Sterling for growth through organic means and acquisitions, as highlighted by CEO Joe Cutillo.

The most recent analyst rating on (STRL) stock is a Buy with a $185.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Sterling Construction stock, see the STRL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Sterling Construction Holds Annual Meeting, Elects Directors
Neutral
May 9, 2025

At its Annual Meeting, Sterling Construction‘s stockholders elected six directors, approved executive compensation, and ratified Grant Thornton, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. The meeting saw participation from 26,304,405 shares out of 30,416,977 outstanding, indicating strong shareholder engagement in the company’s governance decisions.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Sterling Construction Reports Strong Q1 2025 Financial Results
Positive
May 5, 2025

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025, with a 7% increase in revenues excluding RHB, a 27% rise in net income, and a 31% growth in adjusted EBITDA. The acquisition of Drake Concrete, LLC is expected to enhance Sterling’s presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The company’s backlog increased by 17% to $2.1 billion, driven by significant growth in E-Infrastructure Solutions. Despite challenges in the Building Solutions segment due to the housing market slowdown, Sterling raised its full-year guidance, anticipating continued revenue and earnings growth.

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.