Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second quarter results showed record net service revenue (NSR), margins, and earnings per share (EPS) [9][27] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 8% to $290 million, and adjusted EPS rose by 20% to $1.25, both setting new second quarter highs [11][27] - Free cash flow increased by 141% to $178 million in the quarter, with $110 million returned to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [11][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - NSR growth was highest in The Americas, with a 6% increase, reflecting strong demand across all end markets [30] - The adjusted operating margin in The Americas rose by 130 basis points to 19.4%, a new second quarter high [30] - In the international segment, NSR increased by 1%, with mixed trends across markets, but backlog and pipeline are at record highs [31][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog increased quarter over quarter to a new record, driven by a 1.1 times book to burn ratio [12] - The U.S. market remains robust, accounting for over 50% of NSR, with significant funding appropriated for infrastructure projects [18][19] - Canada experienced double-digit growth in revenue and backlog, supported by a $150 billion investment plan [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deliver 50% of revenue from advisory and program management over time, investing in these areas to meet growing demand [14] - The competitive edge platform is delivering record high win rates, with an 80% success rate on large enterprise critical pursuits year to date [12][13] - Investments are being made to accelerate organic growth and expand competitive advantages, particularly in advisory and program management [14][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the second half of the year, supported by a strong backlog and pipeline of opportunities [12][41] - The company is navigating macroeconomic volatility and expects continued growth despite isolated delays in project decisions [9][44] - Management noted that the work is highly technical and critical, with ongoing demand driven by aging infrastructure and sustainability requirements [14][15] Other Important Information - The company has maintained a strong balance sheet with net leverage of 0.7x and a focus on capital allocation strategies [32] - The company is committed to returning capital to shareholders while continuing to invest in high-return opportunities [11][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance for second half EBITDA growth - Management indicated that growth will be balanced between top line and bottom line, with confidence in contracted backlog and pipeline [35][41] Question: Is the company through the worst of isolated delays? - Management expressed confidence in managing delays, noting that disruptions are typical during changes in administration [42][44] Question: Free cash flow expectations for 2025 - Management aims to maintain over 10% free cash flow conversion of adjusted net income, with strong performance in the first half [47][50] Question: Private sector exposure and customer confidence - Private sector represents approximately 30% of the business, with growth expected to continue, particularly in water and environment sectors [52][54] Question: Capital allocation strategy and share buybacks - The capital allocation strategy remains unchanged, with share repurchases aligned with free cash flow generation [58][59] Question: Expectations for international margins - Management expects international margins to improve in the second half, with continued investments in people and capabilities [95][96] Question: Gross revenue versus net revenue and construction management - Management is repositioning the construction management business, which may lead to a decline in gross revenue in the short term [101][102] Question: Update on AECOM Capital wind down - Management confirmed that AECOM Capital should not be modeled for 2026 [104]

LA28 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES United States AECOM has been named the Official Venue Infrastructure Partner for the LA28 Games, with an unprecedented scope that includes architecture, engineering, planning, program management, and construction management. Disclosures Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this communication other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements of the plans, strategies an ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $35.2 million, an increase of $16.3 million or 86.2% compared to Q1 2024 [6][19] - Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 10.7%, up 460 basis points year-over-year [7][19] - Adjusted earnings per share were reported at $0.88, significantly higher than $0.34 in Q1 2024 [7][20] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $16.6 million, representing 116% of net income [8][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Infrastructure Solutions segment, net sales were driven by strong capital equipment and aftermarket parts sales, despite a slight decline in backlog by 4.1% [7][21] - The Materials Solutions segment faced challenges due to high interest rates and dealer inventory destocking, but aftermarket parts sales remained stable [7][22] - Backlog in the Materials Solutions segment grew by $12.1 million or 10.6% due to increased order activity [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall backlog declined slightly but remained healthy, supported by growth in implied orders [16] - Infrastructure Solutions segment backlog was influenced by strong invoicing for asphalt and concrete plants [16] - Implied orders rose on a quarter-over-quarter basis, with a book-to-bill ratio of 113% for Q1 [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire TerraSource, a market leader in materials processing equipment, which is expected to enhance the Material Solutions segment [5][25] - The acquisition is anticipated to provide significant synergies and expand the product portfolio, with a focus on aftermarket parts [26][30] - The company is taking proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with tariffs, including price adjustments and supply chain management [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding customer sentiment and infrastructure investment needs, highlighting the importance of ongoing infrastructure improvements [9][12] - The company is maintaining its expectations for adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2025 in the range of $105 million to $125 million, excluding tariff impacts [8][20] - Management noted that while there is uncertainty regarding tariffs, proactive measures have been implemented to manage costs and protect margins [40][41] Other Important Information - The company highlighted the need for continued infrastructure investment, as indicated by the American Society of Civil Engineers' report card [9][10] - The acquisition of TerraSource is expected to close in early Q3 2025, subject to regulatory considerations [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why not raise guidance despite strong performance? - Management indicated that while there is upside potential, uncertainty around tariffs and customer behavior influenced the decision not to raise guidance at this time [39][40] Question: How is the company positioned regarding current tariffs? - Management stated that they have been proactive in managing the impact of tariffs and have implemented price increases to mitigate costs [42][43] Question: How has TerraSource performed compared to legacy Material Solutions? - Management noted that TerraSource has a smaller exposure to mobile markets and a significant portion of its business comes from aftermarket parts, which contributes to higher gross margins [46][48] Question: What is the expected impact of tariffs on costs? - Management estimated a potential impact of 4% to 10% on costs if no actions are taken, but emphasized their proactive measures to manage this risk [54][58] Question: Will the acquisition of TerraSource be accretive to EBITDA? - Management confirmed that the acquisition is expected to be accretive from day one, with significant synergy opportunities anticipated [33][34]

Core Viewpoint - Xcel Energy Inc. reported a decline in first-quarter 2025 operating earnings, missing consensus estimates due to increased operational costs and expenses [1][5]. Financial Performance - Operating earnings for Q1 2025 were 84 cents per share, down 4.5% from 88 cents in the same quarter last year [1][2]. - Total revenues reached $3.9 billion, slightly missing the consensus estimate of $3.92 billion but showing a 7.1% increase from $3.65 billion year-over-year [3]. - Operating income decreased by 2.9% year-over-year to $677 million [5]. Segment Performance - Electric segment revenues were $2.83 billion, up 5.6% from $2.68 billion in the prior year [4]. - Natural gas segment revenues increased by 12.1% to $1.05 billion from $0.94 billion year-over-year [4]. - Other revenues fell to $16 million from $23 million in the previous year [4]. Expense Analysis - Total operating expenses rose by 8.7% year-over-year to $3.23 billion, driven by higher electric fuel and purchased power costs, as well as increased operating and maintenance expenses [5]. - Interest charges and financing costs increased by 11.6% from $277 million to $309 million [6]. Customer Volume and Sales - Electric customer volume grew by 1.1%, while natural gas customer volume increased by 0.9% [6]. - Natural gas sales rose by 0.5%, and electric sales volume increased by 1.9% compared to the previous year [6]. Guidance and Future Outlook - Xcel Energy reaffirmed its 2025 earnings per share guidance in the range of $3.75-$3.85, with the consensus estimate at $3.81 [7]. - Retail electric sales are expected to increase by 3% in 2025, while natural gas sales volumes are anticipated to rise by 1% [7]. - The company plans to invest $45 billion from 2025 to 2029 to enhance its infrastructure [7]. Zacks Rank - Xcel Energy currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [8].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive investment outlook for infrastructure, particularly in developed markets, with a notable rebound in greenfield investments and a projected recovery in secondary market activities as interest rates decline [9][11][84]. Core Insights - Global private investment in infrastructure projects increased by 10 percent in 2023, primarily driven by developed markets, while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) saw a slight decline [9][10]. - Infrastructure fundraising faced significant challenges in 2023, with total capital raised dropping to $94.9 billion, nearly half of 2022 levels, but is expected to stabilize in 2024 [18][84]. - Infrastructure debt remains attractive to investors due to its reliable cash flows and historically lower default rates compared to non-financial corporate debt, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 77 percent in 2023 [25][84]. - Renewable energy and transport sectors dominate infrastructure investment, accounting for two-thirds of total activity, with a significant surge in private investment in hydrogen projects [31][36]. - The report highlights a growing divergence in investment levels between high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs, with HICs experiencing a 15 percent increase in infrastructure investment in primary markets [45][46]. Summary by Sections Greenfield Investment - Greenfield investment in developed markets continues to rebound, while growth in emerging markets lags, with investment levels significantly higher than the five-year average [9][10]. Rising Interest Rates - Rising interest rates have tempered return expectations across most infrastructure fund types, leading to a significant decline in fundraising [17][18]. Infrastructure Resilience - Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, private infrastructure financing has maintained a stable debt-to-equity ratio, with infrastructure debt demonstrating lower default rates [25][84]. Policy and Incentives - Policy changes have influenced investor strategies, with renewable energy and transport consistently dominating investment, while digital infrastructure has gained importance [31][32]. Investment Gaps - There is a widening investment gap between HICs and LMICs, with LMICs representing less than 20 percent of overall volumes compared to 30 percent a decade ago [46][47]. Regulatory Frameworks - Strengthening regulatory frameworks is essential for attracting private capital in emerging markets, with improvements potentially increasing investment by approximately $500 million [54][58]. Development Institutions - Development institutions play a critical role in mobilizing private capital in LMICs, providing co-financing for 30 percent of total private investment [61][62]. Blended Finance - Blended finance and guarantees are effective tools for bridging investment gaps, with evidence showing that projects backed by guarantees have higher private commercial debt participation [65][67]. Local Currency Financing - Local currency financing for private investment in infrastructure projects in LMICs decreased to 37 percent in 2023, highlighting the need for stronger local markets [72][73]. Capital Markets - There is a growing shift towards leveraging domestic and international capital markets to mobilize long-term funding for infrastructure projects [78][79]. Conclusion - The report concludes that while private investment in infrastructure has faced volatility, it has shown resilience, particularly in the context of rising interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainty [83][84].

FirstEnergy Corporation’s (FE) subsidiary, FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), completed work to enhance its energy delivery system in Venango and Crawford counties.The project's goal is to enhance the line's performance, which was impacted by multiple equipment-related outages during the previous five years. About 540 consumers benefit from the rebuilt line's more reliable flow to the Polk substation. The project began in November 2024.FE’s Project in DetailsThe project included replacing mo ...

Core Viewpoint - Evergy, Inc. is focusing on expanding its operations in the transmission market through planned investments and strategic acquisitions, while also aiming to enhance its renewable asset portfolio to improve overall performance [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Plans - In 2024, Evergy plans to invest $2.34 billion in infrastructure to modernize the grid, replace aging equipment, and advance sustainability [2]. - The company targets nearly $17.5 billion in capital investments for the period of 2025-2029, which includes approximately $6.17 billion for new renewable generation [2]. Group 2: Renewable Projects - Evergy is actively developing renewable projects with a total capacity of 800 MW, of which 500 MW is included in its 2-3% demand forecast [3]. - The company announced plans to construct two combined-cycle natural gas plants in Kansas, each with an initial generating capacity of nearly 705 MW, expected to begin operations in the summer of 2029 and 2030 respectively [3]. Group 3: Joint Ventures - Evergy has a joint venture with American Electric Power named Transource Energy, which focuses on developing competitive electric transmission projects across the U.S., positioning Evergy for sustainable long-term growth in the transmission market with a 13.5% interest in the venture [4]. Group 4: Challenges - The company faces potential delays in capital projects due to permit issues, equipment availability, or increased costs, which could adversely impact profitability [5]. - Seasonal electricity sales and changing weather conditions significantly affect overall performance, with mild seasons potentially reducing electricity demand [5]. Group 5: Stock Performance - Over the past three months, Evergy's shares have increased by 14.8%, outperforming the industry's growth of 7.4% [6].

Core Insights - California Water Service Group (CWT) has made a record investment of $471 million in capital improvements in 2024, surpassing the previous year's investment by $87 million [1] - The company's subsidiary, California Water Service, completed $156 million in projects as part of its Main Replacement Program, installing nearly 36 miles of new pipe [2] - CWT plans to invest approximately $660 million, $750 million, and $655 million in capital improvements for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively [3] Investment Plans - CWT's subsidiary, Cal Water, submitted Infrastructure Improvement Plans proposing over $1.6 billion in investments from 2025 to 2027, with nearly $1.3 billion earmarked for new capital investments [4] - About 46% of the proposed new infrastructure improvements focus on replacing aging water pipelines to enhance water supply reliability [4] - The plans also include upgrades for water quality, infrastructure replacements, and equipment to improve resilience against power outages [5][6] Industry Context - The water and wastewater infrastructure in the U.S. is aging, with water main breaks occurring every two minutes, highlighting the need for significant investments [7] - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that $963 billion is required over the next 20 years to maintain and expand drinking water and wastewater services [8] - Other companies in the industry, such as American Water Works, American States Water, and Essential Utilities, are also making substantial investments to upgrade their infrastructure [8][9][12] Company Performance - CWT's stock price has increased by 4.8% over the past month, while the industry has seen a growth of 10.1% [13] - CWT currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company achieved a 15% increase in oil production and a 22% increase in total production, while upstream cash capital expenditures declined by 27% [6][14][25] - The company reduced debt by $90 million year-over-year, achieving a leverage ratio of one times at year-end [25][30] - The average daily net production for Q4 2024 was 15.91 thousand barrels of oil per day and 25.03 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company drilled 30 wells, completed 20, and turned in line 22 gross operated wells in 2024 [11] - The cost per foot for drilling decreased by 11% year-over-year, with an average of approximately $520 per foot in Q4 2024 [12][56] - The company maintained low operating costs, with lease operating expenses per BOE for 2024 at $8.66, roughly flat compared to 2023 [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company captured and sold more produced gas in Texas, resulting in a lower percentage of oil in the overall production mix [15] - The company is focusing on developing its New Mexico assets, which are expected to provide significant long-term growth potential [7][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to shift more development activity to New Mexico in 2025, with a focus on midstream projects to enhance operational control [7][8] - The strategic development includes a 15-year gas purchase agreement and a high-pressure natural gas pipeline capable of transporting up to 150 million cubic feet per day [8] - The company aims to build complementary assets across upstream, midstream, and power sectors to create multiple revenue opportunities [33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the capital efficiency of the asset base and the ability to generate positive free cash flow [26][30] - The 2025 plan includes a total production growth range of 9% to 14%, with oil production growth of 5% to 8% [26] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining balance sheet flexibility and access to capital markets for future opportunities [10][30] Other Important Information - The company achieved a total recordable incident rate of zero for 2024, demonstrating excellence in operational safety [11] - The company is expanding its power joint venture to reduce reliance on the grid and capitalize on market fundamentals within the Texas power grid [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide updates on the ERCOT project and potential upside? - Management confirmed that the ERCOT project is progressing well, with construction expected to start soon and potential for additional projects being explored [41][70] Question: What are the benefits of the New Mexico Gas Midstream project? - Management explained that building the midstream project allows for better control over gas transportation and processing, addressing the regional lack of takeaway capacity [51][52] Question: How did D&C costs progress throughout 2024? - Management noted a continued improvement in D&C costs, with a decrease of 11% year-over-year, and plans to maintain this trend in 2025 [56][57] Question: What is the status of the ERCOT deals? - Management indicated that they are deep into Phase 2 of the ERCOT project and are exploring various opportunities, with updates expected in the near future [70][72] Question: Are there concerns regarding service availability or cost pressures? - Management stated that service availability is good, with slight improvements in drilling costs, and they are modeling a slight increase in well costs for 2025 [76][77]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, Evergy reported adjusted earnings of $878 million or $3.81 per share, compared to $816 million or $3.54 per share for the same period last year, reflecting a year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS driven by strong cost management and load growth [49][50][66] - The adjusted EPS growth was impacted by a 5% decrease in cooling degree days and a 4% decrease in heating degree days, leading to a $0.13 decline in EPS versus 2023 [50] - The company reaffirmed its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance range of $3.92 to $4.12 per share, with a midpoint of $4.02, representing a 5% increase over the 2024 guidance midpoint [15][66] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail sales trends showed a weather-normalized increase of 1.1% in 2024, driven by strong growth in both residential and commercial usage [52][53] - The company anticipates a 2.4% growth in load demand for 2025, with significant contributions expected from new large customers such as Meta and Panasonic [53][55] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The economic development pipeline in Kansas and Missouri has grown from approximately 6 gigawatts to over 11 gigawatts, reflecting robust demand from large customers [18][19] - The projected peak summer demand for 2025 is approximately 10.6 gigawatts, indicating a strong backlog of growth opportunities [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Evergy's strategic objectives focus on affordability, reliability, and sustainability, with a five-year capital investment plan totaling $17.5 billion aimed at modernizing infrastructure and supporting economic growth [9][28][45] - The company is actively pursuing regulatory and legislative initiatives to support infrastructure investment and mitigate regulatory lag, particularly in Kansas and Missouri [11][33][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate challenges posed by weather and operational costs, reaffirming a long-term growth target of 4% to 6% through 2029 [15][66] - The management highlighted the importance of a competitive regulatory framework and successful execution of capital plans to support economic development in the region [11][12][45] Other Important Information - The company raised its dividend by 4% to an annualized $2.67, consistent with its target payout ratio [15] - Evergy's capital investment plan is expected to result in 8.5% annualized rate base growth through 2029, an increase from the prior forecast of approximately 8% [28][67] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timeline for finalizing agreements related to 1.6 gigawatts - Management indicated that discussions are advancing well and expects announcements later this year, with agreements finalized over the course of the year [72][76][78] Question: Next steps for capital structure in Kansas - Management characterized the proceeding as procedural and expressed a desire to seek a constructive settlement, similar to previous cases [79][82] Question: Timeline for developing associated generation - Management confirmed that they have a good plan to serve customers from both transmission and generation perspectives, with updates expected in the upcoming IRP filings [89][91][100] Question: Protections for existing customers in large load tariff - Management is seeking a well-balanced tariff that covers incremental costs while providing protections for existing customers, including minimum bills and contract periods [107][111] Question: Timeline for SB4 in Missouri - Management expressed confidence in the bill's passage, highlighting its transformative potential for the regulatory framework in Missouri [120][124] Question: Matching load with generation projects - Management provided clarity on the load forecast, indicating that they expect to have the necessary transmission and generation capacity to serve the anticipated load growth [126][130]