Core Insights - The public infrastructure sector in the U.S. is experiencing robust demand, driven by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and FEMA initiatives, benefiting companies like Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) and Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (ORN) [1][7] Company Analysis: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) - GLDD, with a market cap of approximately $825.3 million, is capitalizing on large-scale capital and coastal protection projects, with a significant dredging backlog of $1 billion as of March 31, 2025, up from $879.4 million year-over-year [3][4] - The company focuses on government-funded projects, which minimizes payment failure risks and enhances revenue visibility, with adjusted EBITDA margin increasing by 230 basis points to 24.7% and gross margin by 570 basis points to 28.6% in Q1 2025 [4][6] - GLDD has invested over $500 million in its new build program, expecting to spend an additional $140 million to $160 million in 2025 to modernize its fleet for coastal restoration projects [5] - Despite growth opportunities, GLDD faces challenges from rising expenses, particularly in incentive compensation and employee benefits, leading to a 52% decline in maintenance revenues year-over-year in Q1 2025 [6] Company Analysis: Orion Group (ORN) - ORN, with a market cap of about $350.5 million, is also benefiting from public infrastructure demand, with its backlog growing by 11% to $839.7 million as of March 31, 2025, with the Marine segment contributing over 70% [9][10] - The company secured nearly $350 million in new contracts, with a significant portion in the Marine segment, indicating strong growth potential [9] - ORN's adjusted EBITDA margin was 4.3% in Q1 2025, up 180 basis points year-over-year, reflecting its operational resilience [10] - However, ORN's selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 18.7% year-over-year to $22.5 million, impacting profitability [11] Stock Performance & Valuation - GLDD's stock has outperformed ORN's in the past month, with both stocks performing well above the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry average [12] - Over the last five years, GLDD has traded at a lower forward P/E ratio compared to ORN, suggesting a more attractive entry point for investors [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GLDD's 2025 earnings has increased by 39.1% to $0.96 per share, while ORN's 2025 earnings estimate has risen by 128.6% to $0.16 per share [17][19] - GLDD's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) stands at 15.7%, significantly higher than ORN's average of 5.1%, indicating better efficiency in generating shareholder returns [20] Investment Outlook - GLDD is positioned as a strong investment option for those seeking steady growth and substantial returns, given its discounted valuation and robust market fundamentals [20][22] - Conversely, while ORN shows promising growth potential, its premium valuation may pose challenges for short-term investors [21][22]