The Conglomerates group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Federal Signal (FSS) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Conglomerates peers, we might be able to answer that question.Federal Signal is a member of our Conglomerates group, which includes 16 different companies and currently sits at #4 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank cons ...

Core Viewpoint - Federal Signal Corporation will announce its second quarter earnings on July 30, 2025, and will host an investor conference call and webcast on the same day [1]. Group 1: Earnings Announcement - The earnings announcement is scheduled before the market opens on July 30, 2025 [1]. - The investor conference call will take place at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the same day [1]. Group 2: Access Information - Investors and analysts can access the webcast through the company's website [2]. - The teleconference can be accessed by calling 1-877-704-4453 with a conference ID of 13754916 [2]. - An archived replay of the investor conference call will be available shortly after the call concludes [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Federal Signal Corporation is a leader in environmental and safety solutions, founded in 1901 [3]. - The company designs, manufactures, and supplies products for municipal, governmental, industrial, and commercial customers [3]. - Federal Signal operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems [3].

Company Performance - Federal Signal (FSS) has gained approximately 18.4% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the average return of 6.2% for the Conglomerates sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSS's full-year earnings has increased by 1.7% over the past 90 days, indicating improved analyst sentiment and earnings outlook [3] - Mitsubishi Corp. (MSBHF) has also outperformed the sector with a return of 23.4% since the beginning of the year [4][5] Industry Ranking - Federal Signal is part of the Diversified Operations industry, which includes 16 companies and currently ranks 83 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The average return for the Diversified Operations industry is 6.2% year-to-date, showing that FSS is performing better than its peers in this industry [6] Sector Overview - The Conglomerates group consists of 16 companies and is currently ranked 5 in the Zacks Sector Rank, which measures the average Zacks Rank of individual stocks within the sector [2] - Federal Signal holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable position among its peers [3]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly seeking growth stocks that demonstrate above-average growth potential, with Federal Signal (FSS) identified as a strong candidate due to its favorable growth metrics and Zacks Rank [2][10]. Group 1: Earnings Growth - Federal Signal has a historical EPS growth rate of 17.8%, with projected EPS growth of 14.7% for the current year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 5.4% [5][4]. Group 2: Cash Flow Growth - The company exhibits a year-over-year cash flow growth of 24.6%, which is substantially higher than the industry average of -9.5% [6]. Additionally, its annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years stands at 12.2%, compared to the industry average of 4.6% [7]. Group 3: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Federal Signal, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 0.1% over the past month [8]. This trend is correlated with potential near-term stock price movements [8]. Group 4: Overall Assessment - Federal Signal has achieved a Growth Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2, indicating it is a solid choice for growth investors and a potential outperformer in the market [10].

Company Performance - Federal Signal (FSS) has gained approximately 1.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Conglomerates sector, which has returned an average of 1.1% [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSS's full-year earnings has increased by 1% over the past quarter, indicating improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook [4] - Federal Signal holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable position for potential outperformance in the market [3] Industry Context - Federal Signal is part of the Diversified Operations industry, which consists of 21 companies and currently ranks 134 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The average performance of the Diversified Operations industry has also been 1.1% year-to-date, indicating that FSS is performing better than its industry peers [6] - Hitachi Ltd. is another stock in the Conglomerates sector that has shown strong performance, returning 12.6% since the beginning of the year [5]

Group 1 - Federal Signal (FSS) has shown a year-to-date return of approximately 1.3%, outperforming the average gain of 0.5% in the Conglomerates sector [4] - The Zacks Rank for Federal Signal is currently 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook with a 1.8% increase in the consensus estimate for full-year earnings over the past 90 days [3] - Federal Signal is part of the Diversified Operations industry, which also includes 21 stocks and has an average return of 0.5% this year, further highlighting FSS's strong performance [6] Group 2 - Hitachi Ltd. (HTHIY) is another stock in the Conglomerates sector that has outperformed, with a year-to-date return of 8.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [4][5] - The consensus EPS estimate for Hitachi Ltd. has increased by 8.2% over the past three months, reflecting strong analyst sentiment [5] - Both Federal Signal and Hitachi Ltd. are expected to maintain solid performance, making them attractive options for investors interested in Conglomerates stocks [7]

Financial Performance - Net sales for Q1 2025 increased by $38.9 million, or 9%, to $463.8 million compared to Q1 2024, driven by higher sales volumes and pricing actions [120]. - Operating income for Q1 2025 rose by $11.4 million, or 21%, to $65.7 million, with an operating margin of 14.2%, up from 12.8% in the prior-year quarter [121]. - Net income for Q1 2025 decreased by $5.3 million to $46.3 million, primarily due to a $16.4 million increase in income tax expense [123]. - Gross profit for Q1 2025 increased by $14.8 million, or 13%, with a gross profit margin of 28.2%, up from 27.3% in the prior-year quarter [129]. - Cost of sales for Q1 2025 increased by $24.1 million, or 8%, largely due to higher sales volumes and costs from recent acquisitions [128]. - SEG&A expenses for Q1 2025 increased by $3.0 million, or 5%, but as a percentage of net sales, they decreased to 13.0% from 13.5% in the prior-year quarter [130]. - Income before income taxes for Q1 2025 increased by $11.1 million, or 22%, to $62.0 million compared to the prior-year quarter [122]. Sales and Orders - Total orders for Q1 2025 were $568 million, an increase of $65 million, or 13%, compared to the prior-year quarter [124]. - The Environmental Solutions Group reported a net sales increase of $33.4 million, or 9%, with significant contributions from sewer cleaners ($15.1 million) and dump truck bodies ($10.4 million) [120]. - Environmental Solutions Group net sales for Q1 2025 increased by $33.4 million, or 9%, to $387.4 million compared to Q1 2024 [138]. - Total orders for Environmental Solutions Group increased by $52.4 million, or 12%, to $480.1 million in Q1 2025 compared to the prior-year quarter [137]. - Safety and Security Systems Group net sales for Q1 2025 increased by $5.5 million, or 8%, to $76.4 million compared to Q1 2024 [143]. - Safety and Security Systems Group total orders increased by $12.8 million, or 17%, to $87.8 million in Q1 2025 compared to the prior-year quarter [142]. Backlog and Cash Flow - The consolidated backlog at March 31, 2025, was $1.10 billion, an increase of $3 million compared to the prior-year quarter [125]. - Backlog for Environmental Solutions Group was $1.03 billion as of March 31, 2025, down from $1.04 billion in the prior-year quarter [141]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was $36.7 million in Q1 2025, up from $31.3 million in the prior-year period [152]. Capital Expenditures - The company anticipates capital expenditures for 2025 to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million [155].

Core Viewpoint - Federal Signal (FSS) reported quarterly earnings of $0.76 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.73 per share, and showing an increase from $0.64 per share a year ago [1][2] Financial Performance - The earnings surprise for the quarter was 4.11%, with the company previously expected to earn $0.86 per share but actually earning $0.87, resulting in a surprise of 1.16% [2] - Federal Signal's revenues for the quarter ended March 2025 were $463.8 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.57%, compared to $424.9 million in the same quarter last year [3] - Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times but has only topped consensus revenue estimates once [3] Stock Performance - Federal Signal shares have declined approximately 18.1% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 5.5% [4] - The company's earnings outlook is crucial for future stock performance, with current consensus EPS estimates at $1.06 for the coming quarter and $3.77 for the current fiscal year, with revenues expected to be $533.73 million and $2.05 billion respectively [5][8] Industry Context - The Diversified Operations industry, to which Federal Signal belongs, is currently ranked in the top 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [9] - The correlation between near-term stock movements and earnings estimate revisions suggests that tracking these revisions can provide insights into stock performance [6][7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated net sales for Q1 were $464 million, up $39 million or 9% year over year [6] - Organic sales growth for the quarter was $28 million or 7% [7] - Consolidated operating income for the quarter was $65.7 million, an increase of $11.4 million or 21% compared to last year [7] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $85.1 million, up $14.5 million or 21% year over year, translating to a margin of 18.3% [8] - GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was $0.75, compared to $0.84 in Q1 last year, while adjusted EPS was $0.76, an increase of $0.12 or 19% from last year [8][9] - Cash generated from operations was $37 million, up 17% from Q1 last year [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) net sales were $387 million, up $33 million or 9% year over year [9][10] - ESG's operating income was $59.7 million, an increase of $8 million or 15% [10] - ESG's adjusted EBITDA was $77.5 million, up $11 million or 17%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20% [10] - Safety and Security Systems Group (SSG) net sales were $76 million, up $6 million or 8% [11] - SSG's operating income was $15.8 million, an increase of $2 million or 14% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Order intake for Q1 was $568 million, an increase of $65 million or 13% year over year, setting a new company record [9][22] - Backlog at the end of the quarter was $1.1 billion, another all-time high for the company [9] - Publicly funded orders increased high single digits year over year, while industrial orders rose double digits [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for annual double-digit top-line growth, split evenly between inorganic and organic growth [20] - Investments in production capacity and supply chain optimization are ongoing to meet increased demand [18][30] - The company is focused on expanding market share through strategic initiatives and new product development [20][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term prospects despite macroeconomic uncertainties, supported by a strong backlog [34] - The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to a range of $3.63 to $3.90, indicating continued growth [34] - Management noted that demand for products and aftermarket offerings remains strong, with no material changes in customer behavior due to tariffs [29][34] Other Important Information - The company has a low net debt leverage ratio and significant flexibility to invest in growth initiatives and return cash to shareholders [14] - The company has initiated a stock repurchase program with an additional authorization of $150 million [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: How have lead times changed compared to previous periods? - Management indicated that capacity utilization is between 70-72%, with lead times for certain products improving to about six months [40] Question: How have April ESG orders trended? - Management confirmed that the strength in ESG orders was not a pull forward due to tariffs, with strong order growth across various sectors [54] Question: What is the outlook for the rental business? - The rental business grew, with rental income and used equipment sales both up double digits year over year [83] Question: How does the company plan to manage pricing in light of tariffs? - Management stated that they can surcharge backlogs if necessary and emphasized their strong position due to localized supply chains [75][87] Question: What is the current status of the integration of Hog into the business? - Integration efforts are ongoing, with positive customer reception noted during a recent trade show [90]

Federal Signal Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 30, 2025 Jennifer Sherman, President & Chief Executive Officer Ian Hudson, SVP, Chief Financial Officer Felix Boeschen, VP, Corporate Strategy & Investor Relations Safe Harbor This presentation contains unaudited financial information and various forward-looking statements as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to update these forward- looking statements regardless of new developments or otherwise. Statements in this presentation that are not historic ...