Sterling Gains 65% in 3 Months: Should Investors Buy the Stock Now?

Core Insights - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) has experienced a significant stock price increase of 65.4% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry growth of 24.8%, the broader Construction sector's increase of 4.2%, and the S&P 500 Index's rise of 3.1% [1][2][3] E-Infrastructure Segment Performance - The E-Infrastructure segment is the largest and most profitable business line for the company, contributing 44% of total revenues in 2024, with an 18% revenue increase in Q1 driven by strong data center demand and project backlog [8][6] - Demand in the data center market surged approximately 60%, with mission-critical work representing over 65% of the segment's backlog, indicating sustained demand visibility [8][6] Backlog and Future Growth - The company's backlog reached $2.1 billion, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase, supported by a 27% rise in the E-Infrastructure Solutions backlog to $1.2 billion [10][11] - The strong backlog is expected to support steady earnings growth, with nearly $2 billion in E-Infrastructure projects anticipated from both signed backlog and future phase work [11] Inorganic Growth Strategy - The company is pursuing growth through acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of Drake Concrete for $25 million, expected to add $55 million in revenues and $6.5 million in EBITDA in 2025 [12][13] - The acquisition aims to enhance the company's geographic reach and customer base, with a focus on further acquisitions in the e-infrastructure and Building Solutions segments [15] Transportation Segment Outlook - The Transportation segment is expected to show stable progress, supported by a strong backlog and steady bid activity, with revenue growth anticipated in the mid-single digits for 2025 [16][17] Earnings Estimates and Valuation - Earnings estimates for 2025 have been revised upward to $8.45 from $8.21, indicating a growth of 38.5% year-over-year, while peers like AECOM, Fluor, and KBR are expected to see lower growth rates [19] - The company is currently trading at a premium relative to its industry and historical metrics, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio above the five-year average [20][22]