Group 1 - Loomis Sayles Small Cap Growth Fund reported a return of 9.37% in Q2 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Growth Index which returned 11.97% due to security selection issues in the information technology and financial sectors [1] - The fund highlighted Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL) as a key stock, which had a one-month return of 22.46% and a 52-week gain of 135.21%, closing at $341.10 per share with a market capitalization of $10.407 billion on September 29, 2025 [2] - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. specializes in e-infrastructure, transportation, and building solutions, experiencing a recovery after a selloff in Q1 2025, with strong performance in its data center business and positive management outlook for the coming years [3] Group 2 - Despite the positive outlook for Sterling Infrastructure, it was noted that the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 25 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q2 2025, down from 30 in the previous quarter [4] - The potential of Sterling Infrastructure as an investment is acknowledged, but it is suggested that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk [4] - Additional insights on Sterling Infrastructure were provided by Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund, indicating a broader interest in the company's performance [5]

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Core Insights - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) experienced a stock price decline of 1.63% to $338.44, underperforming the S&P 500, which fell by 0.5% [1] - Over the past month, STRL shares increased by 18.9%, outperforming the Construction sector's decline of 2.43% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.74% [1] Earnings Performance - The upcoming earnings disclosure is anticipated to show an EPS of $2.79, reflecting a growth of 41.62% year-over-year [2] - Revenue is projected at $612.4 million, indicating a 3.14% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Full Year Estimates - For the full year, earnings are estimated at $9.57 per share, representing a growth of 56.89%, with revenue expected to reach $2.26 billion, a 6.58% increase from the previous year [3] - Recent analyst estimate revisions suggest a favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability [3] Zacks Rank and Valuation - Sterling Infrastructure holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), with a historical average annual gain of +25% for 1 stocks since 1988 [5] - The Forward P/E ratio for STRL is 35.97, which is a premium compared to the industry average of 22.18 [6] - The PEG ratio for STRL is 2.4, compared to the industry average of 1.78, indicating a higher expected earnings growth rate [6] Industry Context - The Engineering - R and D Services industry, part of the Construction sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 156, placing it in the bottom 37% of over 250 industries [7] - Top-rated industries tend to outperform lower-rated ones by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Key Takeaways Sterling's E-Infrastructure backlog jumped 44%, led by mission-critical projects like data centers. Transportation gains from federal funding, while Texas highway wind-down aims to lift profitability. Revenues grew double digits with margins up 400 bps; management raised full-year EPS guidance. As competition intensifies in the construction and infrastructure space, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. ((STRL) is leaning on scale, execution and diversification to protect its edge. The company has pos ...

Core Insights - Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund's second-quarter 2025 investor letter highlights the impact of trade policy uncertainty and subsequent market recovery, with the S&P 500 achieving a 10.94% gain by the end of Q2 [1] - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL) is a key holding in the fund, showing significant stock performance with a one-month return of 28.50% and a 52-week gain of 154.79% [2] - The company operates in three main business areas: Transportation Solutions, E-Infrastructure Solutions, and Building Solutions, with the E-Infrastructure segment experiencing rapid growth [3] Company Performance - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. closed at $371.84 per share on September 23, 2025, with a market capitalization of $11.311 billion [2] - The company reported stronger-than-expected operating results, particularly in the E-Infrastructure and Transportation segments, while Building Solutions slightly underperformed [3] - Management has increased revenue guidance for the full year, citing growth in the backlog of future projects within the E-Infrastructure Solutions segment [3]

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Core Insights - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) and AECOM (ACM) are pivotal players in the U.S. infrastructure sector, with STRL focusing on execution and project delivery, while AECOM excels in planning and program management [1][2] - Both companies are positioned to benefit from trends such as increased data center construction, transportation upgrades, and the energy transition, creating diverse opportunities within the infrastructure value chain [2] - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cut to a target of 4-4.25% may enhance public and private infrastructure investments, further supporting demand for both companies [3] Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) - STRL is concentrating on high-value markets, including data centers and e-commerce distribution, leading to a 21% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2025, with E-Infrastructure Solutions growing by 29% and Transportation Solutions by 24% [4][5] - Adjusted earnings per share rose 41% to $2.69, and gross margins expanded by 400 basis points to 23.3%, indicating strong profitability and long-term visibility [4] - The total backlog reached $2 billion, up 24% from the previous year, with E-Infrastructure backlog growing 44% to $1.2 billion, reflecting sustained demand [7][8] - Despite a sequential backlog decline due to seasonal factors, STRL's growth outlook remains robust, supported by a strong project pipeline [6][7] AECOM (ACM) - AECOM reported a 6% year-over-year growth in net service revenues (NSR) to $1.94 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2025, driven by strong performance in the Americas and international markets [10][11] - The Americas segment saw an 8% increase in NSR, highlighting robust activity in transportation and environmental projects [11] - AECOM's total backlog stood at $24.6 billion, up 5% from the prior year, providing long-term growth prospects and multi-year visibility [13] - The company faces challenges from political changes and funding delays in international markets, which may impact near-term results [12] Stock Performance & Valuation - STRL's share price has significantly outperformed AECOM and the broader Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry over the past three months [14] - Historically, STRL has traded at a higher forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio compared to AECOM [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRL's 2025 EPS indicates a 56.9% year-over-year growth, while ACM's estimate suggests a 15.9% increase [18][20] Investment Outlook - STRL is emerging as a growth leader in the infrastructure space, supported by its focus on high-value markets and a solid backlog, leading to raised 2025 guidance [23] - AECOM benefits from steady demand across various projects but faces greater exposure to international risks and limited movement in earnings estimates [24] - Given STRL's stronger share price performance, upward estimate revisions, and robust earnings growth, it presents a better investment opportunity compared to AECOM [25]

Core Viewpoint - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) shares have experienced a significant rally, attributed to positive market sentiment following a recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, alongside strong expectations for upcoming earnings and revenue growth [1][2][3]. Company Performance - STRL shares increased by 3.3% to close at $360.25, with a notable trading volume that exceeded typical levels, contributing to a 25.4% gain over the past four weeks [1]. - The company is projected to report quarterly earnings of $2.79 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 41.6%, with expected revenues of $612.4 million, up 3.1% from the previous year [3]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate for STRL has been revised 1.5% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a positive trend that often correlates with stock price appreciation [4]. - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements, highlighting the importance of monitoring STRL's performance [3][4]. Industry Context - Sterling Infrastructure operates within the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry, which is currently experiencing a boom in infrastructure demand [2][5]. - Another company in the same industry, M-tron Industries, Inc. (MPTI), has shown a 7.2% increase in its stock price, closing at $52.52, with a 13.4% return over the past month [5].

Core Insights - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) is establishing a significant presence in the development of America's digital infrastructure, with Q2 2025 revenues increasing by 21% year-over-year to $614.5 million and adjusted EPS rising by 41% to $2.69, alongside meaningful margin expansion [1][11] E-Infrastructure Solutions - The E-Infrastructure Solutions segment is experiencing explosive demand, particularly from data centers and e-commerce facilities, with data centers now representing 62% of the E-Infrastructure backlog and revenues from this market more than doubling year-over-year [2][11] Backlog and Acquisitions - STRL has a robust backlog of $2 billion, including $1.2 billion in E-Infrastructure, providing multiyear visibility. The upcoming acquisition of CEC Facilities Group will enhance Sterling's electrical and mechanical capabilities, positioning the company as a strategic partner in complex facility development [3][11] Macro Trends - Favorable macro trends include rising capital expenditures from hyperscale tech firms, a pipeline of semiconductor plants, and accelerating e-commerce buildouts, aligning with Sterling's strengths. Although there are near-term challenges in the Building Solutions segment, the diversified portfolio mitigates risks [4][11] Competitive Landscape - STRL faces competition from major players like Quanta Services and MasTec, both of which are well-positioned in the digital and clean energy sectors. Quanta Services focuses on utility and grid modernization, while MasTec is expanding in telecommunications and renewable infrastructure [6][8][9] Stock Performance - STRL's stock has surged by 59.9% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry, the broader Zacks Construction sector, and the S&P 500 index [10] Valuation and Earnings Estimates - Sterling's stock is trading at a premium with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 32.96. Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have increased to $9.57 and $10.98 per share, reflecting year-over-year growth of 56.9% and 14.7%, respectively [12][14]

Group 1 - Semiconductor shares were leaders in trading, increasing by approximately 4.4% on the day [1] - Intel shares surged by about 28%, while Rigetti Computing shares rose by approximately 15.4% [1] - Construction shares also showed strength, up around 3% as a group, with Sterling Infrastructure increasing by about 7.5% and Ies Holdings rising by approximately 5.6% [1]