As the world moves into 2025, the U.S. construction sector is witnessing a rebound on the back of a strong economic outlook. The sector’s resilience can be measured based on the underlying strength offered by the Fed rate cuts, stabilized mortgage rates and increased government spending on public infrastructure and non-residential construction.The resilience is substantiated by the Zacks Construction sector gaining 20.8% in the year-to-date period compared with the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 28.3% growth. No ...

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.While many investors like to look for moment ...

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong momentum characteristics for investors to consider today, December 11:Peoples Financial Services Corp. (PFIS) : This bank holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 27.3% over the last 60 days.Peoples Financial Services' shares gained 25.7% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advanced of 7.8%. The company possesses a Moment ...

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) has been riding a wave of momentum and hit a new 52-week high of $510.79 yesterday before closing lower at $504.12.The shares of a leading national provider specializing in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services and installations soared 48.6% in the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry’s 20.8% growth. The stock even fared better than the broader Construction sector’s 10.3% rise and the S&P 500’s 7.1% ...

Here are three attractive growth stocks you can own for years or decades.Growth stocks can give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to growing your wealth to better prepare for retirement. Such companies can steadily grow their earnings and cash flows, garnering them higher share prices over time. This means that the value of your investment portfolio will also climb up in tandem.The key is to hold such stocks for the long term as time works its magic on high-quality businesses. Selling them in a ...

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Comfort Systems (FIX) .Comfort Systems currently has an average b ...

Comfort Systems (FIX) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Individual inv ...

Financial Performance - Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $1,812,366, a 31.5% increase from $1,378,124 in the same period of 2023[8] - Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reached $1,042,673, up 46.7% from $710,824 in the prior year[8] - Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $202,884, representing a 50.0% increase compared to $135,143 in the same quarter of 2023[8] - Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $376,563, a 62.5% increase from $231,817 in the same period of 2023[8] - Basic income per share for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $4.10, compared to $2.93 for the same period in 2023, reflecting a 40.0% increase[8] Expenses and Costs - Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $180,177, up 26.0% from $142,935 in the same quarter of 2023[8] - The company reported a provision for income taxes of $41,577 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $20,313 in the same quarter of 2023[8] - Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $3,825, significantly higher than $952 in the same period of 2023[8] Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $638,594, up from $466,560 in 2023, indicating a 36.8% increase[16] - The company reported a net cash increase of $210,433 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $80,409 in the same period of 2023, reflecting a 161.5% increase[16] - Cash and cash equivalents amounted to $415.6 million as of September 30, 2024, reflecting a stable liquidity position[53] Stockholders' Equity and Dividends - Total stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2023, was $1,207,162, an increase from $999,923 at the end of 2022[11] - The company declared dividends of $0.225 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2023[11] - The company issued dividends of $0.30 per share, totaling $10,688 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $21,455 in 2023[16] Acquisitions and Investments - The acquisition of Summit Industrial Construction, LLC was completed on February 1, 2024, enhancing the company's capabilities in industrial contracting[56] - The acquisition of J&S Mechanical Contractors, Inc. resulted in revenue of $106.3 million for the eight months from the acquisition date[63] - The company has a $6.1 million investment in a construction-focused technology fund, recorded at cost and reviewed quarterly for impairment[35] Revenue Recognition and Performance Obligations - Revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of performance obligations, using a cost-to-cost input method[24] - Revenue is recognized over time as services are delivered, with variable amounts included in the contract price based on the likelihood of significant reversals[36] - Adjustments to revenue and operating income are recognized quarterly on a cumulative catch-up basis, affecting profitability based on changes in estimates[43] Debt and Financing - Total debt as of September 30, 2024, is $68.4 million, an increase of 54.5% from $44.2 million on December 31, 2023[72] - The company has an $850 million senior credit facility, with $770 million available as of September 30, 2024, and no outstanding borrowings[73] Market and Operational Insights - The company operates primarily in the commercial, industrial, and institutional markets, focusing on sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, and government facilities[97] - The company expects high demand levels to continue into 2025, particularly in the manufacturing and technology sectors[114] - Labor costs and material delivery delays are anticipated to persist through 2024, impacting overall operational costs[114] Backlog and Future Revenue - Remaining performance obligations totaled $5.68 billion as of September 30, 2024, with an expected revenue recognition of 65-75% over the next 12 months[49] - Backlog as of September 30, 2024, was $5.68 billion, a 32.5% increase from $4.29 billion on September 30, 2023[129]

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2024 results on Oct. 24, after market close.Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings and revenues topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.3% and 9.4%, respectively. On a year-over-year basis, earnings and revenues grew 93.8% and 39.6%, respectively.The company’s earnings surpassed expectations in each of the last nine quarters.The Trend in Estimate R ...

Comfort Systems (FIX) closed the latest trading day at $413.54, indicating a -1.34% change from the previous session's end. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.76%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.75%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.01%. Shares of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning company have appreciated by 19.72% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Construction sector's gain of 2.69% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.31%. The investment community will be p ...