Market Overview - The U.S. stock market displayed mixed signals on May 29, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 gaining due to NVIDIA's strong quarterly results and a favorable ruling against Trump-imposed tariffs, while the Dow Jones declined amid economic outlook concerns and geopolitical uncertainties [1] Investment Strategy - In a volatile market, investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks such as Novartis, ENGIE SA, MasTec, Dorman Products, and Sterling Infrastructure to mitigate potential losses [2] - Low-leverage stocks are preferred as they typically bear less financial risk, making them safer options during market turmoil [6][5] Understanding Leverage - Leverage refers to the practice of companies borrowing capital to operate and expand, primarily through debt financing, which can be risky if it does not yield returns exceeding the interest rate [4][5] - A lower debt-to-equity ratio indicates improved solvency and reduced financial risk for a company [7] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks should have a debt-to-equity ratio lower than the industry median, a current price of at least $10, an average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more, and a percentage change in EPS greater than the industry median [11][12] - Additional criteria include a VGM Score of A or B, estimated one-year EPS growth greater than 5%, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [12] Company Highlights - **Novartis**: Launched a tender offer to acquire Regulus Therapeutics for $7.00 per share, potentially enhancing its RNA-targeted therapies pipeline. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales suggests a 7.1% improvement from 2024, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.9% [14][15] - **ENGIE SA**: Reported a 5.6% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 2025 and has 8.5 GW of renewable and battery capacity under construction. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings indicates a 22.9% year-over-year improvement [16][17] - **MasTec**: Announced a 6% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales showing an 11% improvement and earnings expected to rise by 54.9% [17][18] - **Dorman Products**: Released hundreds of new automotive repair solutions, expanding its catalog and creating over 12 million new sales opportunities. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales indicates a 4.9% improvement [19][20] - **Sterling Infrastructure**: Reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, with adjusted earnings per share surging by 29%. The company has a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% [21]

Market Overview - Major U.S. stock indices ended May 13 on a higher note due to easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, along with softer-than-expected inflation data [1] - The two nations agreed to a 90-day tariff pause, which has contributed to increased investor optimism [1] Investment Strategy - Positive market sentiment may encourage investors to trade on Wall Street, but the sustainability of this rebound is uncertain due to the temporary nature of the tariff pause and changing global market dynamics [2] - To mitigate potential losses during market turmoil, it is advisable to select low-leverage stocks such as 1st Source (SRCE), Kingstone Companies (KINS), MasTec (MTZ), Dorman Products (DORM), and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) [2] Understanding Leverage - Leverage refers to the practice of borrowing capital for operations and expansion, typically through debt financing [4] - Excessive debt financing can lead to significant losses, making it crucial for investors to avoid companies with high debt levels [5] Debt-to-Equity Ratio - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with a lower ratio indicating better solvency [7] - Companies with high debt-to-equity ratios may face challenges during economic downturns, despite strong earnings growth [8] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks should have a debt-to-equity ratio lower than the industry median, a current price of at least $10, and an average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more [11] - Additional criteria include a percentage change in EPS greater than the industry median, a VGM Score of A or B, estimated one-year EPS growth greater than 5%, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [12] Company Highlights - **1st Source (SRCE)**: A bank holding company with a net income of $37.52 million for Q1 2025, up 27.38% year-over-year, and a return on average assets of 1.72% [14][15] - **Kingstone Companies (KINS)**: A property and casualty insurance holding company with a 51% year-over-year increase in net premium earned and a 125% surge in EPS for Q1 2025 [16][17] - **MasTec (MTZ)**: An infrastructure construction company with a 6% year-over-year revenue increase and a projected 54.9% improvement in earnings for 2025 [18] - **Dorman Products (DORM)**: A supplier of automotive replacement parts with an 8.3% increase in net sales and a 54% rise in adjusted EPS for Q1 2025 [19][20] - **Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)**: A company specializing in E-Infrastructure and building solutions, reporting a 7% revenue increase and a 29% surge in adjusted EPS for Q1 2025 [21]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter was $239 million, down $49 million from the same period in 2024 [17] - Gross profit was $21.5 million, an increase of $1.1 million from the same period in 2024, with a gross profit margin of 9%, up from 7.1% in the prior year [18][19] - The company reported a net loss of $4.5 million or a loss of $0.08 per share, compared to a net loss of $400,000 or a loss of $0.01 per share in the same period last year [19] - EBITDA for the quarter was $10.1 million, compared to $10.9 million for the same period in 2024 [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Civil segment had revenues of $103 million, up from $84 million in the same period in 2024, with a gross profit of $23 million, an increase of $5 million [20] - The Transportation segment had revenues of $137 million, a decrease of $67 million from the same period in 2024, with a gross loss of $1 million compared to a gross profit of $3 million in the prior year [21] - The materials and paving business line contributed $18 million to revenue but had a negative gross profit of $9 million due to increased project costs [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added approximately $137 million in new awards during the quarter, bringing the total backlog to approximately $2.5 billion [12][22] - The historical client mix consists of approximately 80% government agencies and 20% private clients, providing insulation from broader economic uncertainty [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strengthening its leadership team and enhancing performance, with recent appointments including a new CFO and Chief Strategy Officer [6][7] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined bidding approach and improve execution to drive strong margins [14] - Upcoming opportunities include significant projects in the Civil segment and transportation projects in various regions [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management does not expect current tariffs to materially affect the business, citing minimal direct exposure to cross-border material procurement [10] - Demand for infrastructure projects remains strong, particularly from federal and state clients, with expectations for continued robust demand [11] - The company anticipates substantial completion of legacy projects by the end of 2025, with a focus on generating positive operating cash flow [50] Other Important Information - The company celebrated the 125th anniversary of its American Bridge subsidiary, highlighting its commitment to safety and engineering innovation [8] - The company has made significant progress in improving its balance sheet, with unrestricted cash position more than double compared to the end of Q1 last year [53] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Civil segment revenue - Management is optimistic about the Civil business, expecting strong double-digit margins and a potential shift towards civil projects as the paving business winds down [29][30] Question: Profit impact from Materials and Paving - The gross profit impact from Materials and Paving was $9 million, with a non-cash charge of $3.5 million related to a contract closeout [31] Question: Transportation booking outlook - Management is excited about the transportation market, with several projects in the pipeline and an expected uptick in bidding in the second half of the year [35] Question: Updates on alternative delivery projects - Progress is being made on the Winnipeg and Burnside Bridge projects, with expectations to develop them into construction contracts [42] Question: Bonding capacity status - The company maintains a strong relationship with surety partners and is targeting strategic projects in civil and transportation segments [44] Question: Margin profile expectations for the summer - Management anticipates a reduction in legacy impacts as new core projects ramp up, contributing positively to margins [50][52] Question: Free cash flow outlook - Positive operating cash flow was generated in Q1, with expectations for stronger cash flow in the latter half of the year [68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter was $239 million, down $49 million from the same period in 2024 [15] - Gross profit was $21.5 million, an increase of $1.1 million from the same period in 2024, with a gross profit margin of 9%, up from 7.1% [16] - The company reported a net loss of $4.5 million or a loss of $0.08 per share, compared to a net loss of $400,000 or a loss of $0.01 per share in the same period last year [18] - EBITDA for the quarter was $10.1 million, compared to $10.9 million for the same period in 2024 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Civil segment had revenues of $103 million, up from $84 million in the same period in 2024, with a gross profit of $23 million [19] - The Transportation segment had revenues of $137 million, down $67 million from the same period in 2024, with a gross loss of $1 million [20] - The materials and paving business line contributed $18 million to revenue but had a negative gross profit of $9 million [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added approximately $137 million in new awards during the quarter, bringing the total backlog to approximately $2.5 billion [12] - Approximately 80% of the company's historical client mix consists of government agencies, providing insulation from broader economic uncertainty [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strengthening its leadership team and enhancing performance for long-term growth [6] - Upcoming opportunities include significant projects in the Civil segment, such as the $450 million Black Creek Tunnel and the $600 million Jordan Lake water supply program [13] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined bidding approach and improve execution to drive strong margins [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management does not expect current tariffs to materially affect the business, citing minimal direct exposure to cross-border material procurement [10] - Demand for infrastructure projects remains strong, particularly from federal and state clients, with no backlog projects affected by government spending cuts [11] - The company anticipates substantial completion of legacy projects by the end of 2025, with a focus on generating positive operating cash flow [48] Other Important Information - The company has made significant progress in improving its balance sheet, with unrestricted cash position more than double compared to the end of Q1 last year [51] - The leadership team has been strengthened with the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer [5] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Civil segment revenue trends - Management is optimistic about the Civil business, expecting strong double-digit margins and a potential shift towards civil projects as the paving business winds down [28][29] Question: Impact of materials and paving on profits - The gross profit impact from materials and paving was $9 million, with a non-cash charge of $3.5 million related to a contract closeout [30] Question: Outlook on transportation bookings - Management is excited about the transportation market, with numerous projects in the pipeline and an expected uptick in bidding in the second half of the year [34] Question: Updates on alternative delivery projects - Progress is being made on the Winnipeg and Burnside Bridge projects, with expectations to develop them into construction contracts [41] Question: Bonding capacity status - The company maintains a strong relationship with surety partners and is targeting strategic projects in civil and transportation segments [43] Question: Margin expectations for the summer work - Management anticipates all legacy work to be substantially complete by the end of 2025, with improved margins from new core backlog projects [48][50] Question: Free cash flow expectations - Positive operating cash flow was generated in Q1, with expectations for cash flow to be more heavily weighted towards the back half of the year [66]

Group Outlook - The Group's outlook for 2025 is confirmed despite a very uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, targeting a slight increase in sales and current operating profit from activities compared to 2024 [6][8]. Financial Performance - Group sales for Q1 2025 reached €12.6 billion, reflecting a 2.2% increase year-on-year [3][4]. - Current operating profit from activities (COPA) was €69 million, up €43 million year-on-year, with a margin from activities of 0.5%, an increase of 0.3 percentage points [3][4]. - The net result attributable to the Group, excluding the exceptional income tax surcharge for large companies in France, improved to -€123 million, a €23 million improvement year-on-year [4][8]. - Net debt at the end of March 2025 was €7.1 billion, a reduction of €645 million compared to the previous year [4][29]. Segment Performance Construction Businesses - The construction businesses reported sales of €5.5 billion in Q1 2025, up 3% year-on-year, with a backlog reaching a record €34.2 billion, up 12% year-on-year [11][15]. - Colas' backlog increased by 9% year-on-year to €15.1 billion, while Bouygues Construction's backlog rose by 17% to €18.3 billion [13][14]. - The current operating loss from activities in the construction businesses was €240 million, an improvement of €24 million year-on-year [16][50]. Equans - Equans achieved sales of €4.6 billion in Q1 2025, stable year-on-year, with a current operating profit from activities of €177 million, up €44 million year-on-year [18][50]. - The backlog at Equans was €26.4 billion, reflecting a 1% increase year-on-year [17][18]. Bouygues Telecom - Bouygues Telecom reported sales of €1.99 billion, a 5% increase year-on-year, with a solid performance in both fixed and mobile segments [24][26]. - The customer base for FTTH reached 4.3 million, with an increase of 148,000 new customers in Q1 2025 [19][40]. - Current operating profit from activities at Bouygues Telecom was €101 million, down €29 million year-on-year due to lower EBITDA after leases [26][50]. TF1 - The TF1 group maintained its audience leadership with a 33.0% audience share in Q1 2025, reporting sales of €520 million, a 2% increase year-on-year [27][31]. Financial Situation - The Group maintained a high level of liquidity at €14.8 billion, comprising €3.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents [28][29]. - The change in working capital requirements was a negative €0.9 billion, lower than in Q1 2024 [30].

Core Viewpoint - Investors often prefer stocks with a low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, believing that a lower P/E indicates higher stock value and potential for growth [1] Group 1: P/E Ratio Insights - Stocks with a rising P/E ratio can also yield strong returns, indicating that investors are willing to pay more for expected future earnings growth [2][3] - A rising P/E ratio suggests investor confidence in a company's fundamentals and anticipated positive performance [4] - Historical data shows that stocks can experience P/E ratio increases of over 100% from their breakout points, highlighting the potential for significant gains if stocks are selected early in their breakout cycle [5] Group 2: Stock Screening Criteria - The screening parameters for identifying stocks with increasing P/E include: - Current year EPS growth estimate should be greater than or equal to last year's actual growth [7] - Price changes over four weeks should exceed those over 12 weeks, and similarly for 12 weeks compared to 24 weeks, indicating consistent price increases [7][8] - Price change for 12 weeks should be at least 20% higher than for 24 weeks, but not exceed 100%, suggesting an impending uptrend [8] Group 3: Selected Stocks - The screening process narrowed down over 7,700 stocks to 83, with notable mentions including: - Comfort Systems USA (Zacks Rank 1) with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 17.57% [9][10] - MasTec (Zacks Rank 2) with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.03% [10] - Virgin Galactic (Zacks Rank 2) with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.99% [11] - AeroVironment (Zacks Rank 2) with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 18.40% [11] - Blackbaud (Zacks Rank 1) with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.20% [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 29% to $1.63, with adjusted EBITDA rising by 31% to $80 million [8][10] - Revenue grew by 7% on a pro forma basis, with gross profit margins expanding over 400 basis points to reach 22% [9][10] - Operating cash flow was strong at $85 million, and backlog totaled $2.1 billion, a 17% year-over-year increase [10][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - E Infrastructure Solutions segment revenue grew by over 18%, driven primarily by a 60% increase in the data center market [9][14] - Transportation Solutions revenue increased by 9%, with adjusted operating profit growing by 60% due to strong market demand [14][15] - Building Solutions segment revenue declined by 14%, impacted by affordability challenges in the housing market [15][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - E Infrastructure Solutions backlog reached $1.2 billion, up 27% year-over-year, with significant growth in data center projects [11][12] - Transportation Solutions backlog was $861 million, an 11% year-over-year increase [15] - Overall backlog totaled $2.23 billion, a 21% increase from year-end 2024 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on high-return opportunities and plans to enhance long-term value through strategic acquisitions, particularly in e infrastructure [10][28] - The acquisition of Drake Concrete for $25 million is expected to contribute $55 million in revenue and $6.5 million in EBITDA in 2025 [10] - The company is optimistic about future growth in e infrastructure, anticipating mid to high teens revenue growth and adjusted operating profit margins in the mid-20% range [24][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong backlog and future phase opportunities, despite uncertainties in trade policies and the economy [10][22] - The company is optimistic about the ongoing strength in data center demand and anticipates continued growth in core markets [22][24] - Management noted that while the residential market is currently soft, there is significant pent-up demand that could drive future growth [52][53] Other Important Information - The company expects full-year 2025 revenue guidance to range from $2.05 billion to $2.15 billion, with adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $8.40 to $8.90 [21] - The effective income tax rate for the first quarter was 26.1%, with expectations for the full year to remain around 26% [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the 35% of backlog not related to data centers - Management feels positive about the backlog, with steady manufacturing and increasing e-commerce activity contributing to growth [31][32] Question: Exposure to tariffs and cost perspective - Management indicated minimal exposure to tariffs due to fixed pricing in contracts and indexing mechanisms in place [34][35] Question: Drivers of margin performance in Transportation Solutions - Margin improvements are primarily due to a shift towards higher-margin services rather than the low bid strategy [46][47] Question: Comfort in bidding for new projects - Management remains optimistic about bid activity and is focusing on long-term project visibility [50][52] Question: Future infrastructure bill expectations - Management noted positive bipartisan activity in Congress regarding the next infrastructure bill, indicating a proactive approach to future funding [68][70] Question: Capacity constraints related to biopharma projects - Management expressed confidence in handling new projects and indicated readiness to expand capacity if necessary [74][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 29% to $1.63, with adjusted EBITDA rising by 31% to $80 million [7] - Revenue grew by 7% on a pro forma basis, with gross profit margins expanding over 400 basis points to reach 22% [7][15] - Operating cash flow was strong at $85 million, compared to $49.6 million in the prior year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - E Infrastructure Solutions segment revenue grew by over 18%, driven primarily by a 60% increase in the data center market [7][12] - Transportation Solutions revenue increased by 9%, with adjusted operating profit growing by 60% due to strong market demand [12][13] - Building Solutions segment revenue declined by 14%, impacted by affordability challenges in the housing market [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Backlog at the end of the quarter totaled $2.1 billion, a 17% year-over-year increase on a pro forma basis [9] - E Infrastructure Solutions backlog was $1.2 billion, up 27% year-over-year [10] - Transportation Solutions backlog was $861 million, an 11% year-over-year increase [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on pursuing high-return opportunities and enhancing long-term value [8] - The acquisition of Drake Concrete for $25 million is expected to contribute $55 million in revenue and $6.5 million in EBITDA in 2025 [8] - The company is prioritizing e infrastructure for M&A opportunities, particularly in Texas, to capitalize on the growing market [54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong multiyear opportunities in various markets despite uncertainties in trade policies and the economy [8][20] - The company anticipates continued growth in e infrastructure revenue in the mid to high teens and adjusted operating profit margins in the mid-20% range for 2025 [22] - Management noted that the residential market is currently soft but expects pent-up demand to drive recovery in the long term [48] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with a strong liquidity position, consisting of $638.6 million in cash and $310 million in debt [18] - Full year 2025 guidance includes revenue of $2.05 billion to $2.15 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $410 million to $432 million [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the 35% of backlog not related to data centers - Management feels confident about the backlog, with steady manufacturing and increasing e-commerce activity contributing positively [28][30] Question: Exposure to tariffs and cost perspective - Management indicated minimal exposure to tariffs due to fixed pricing in contracts and indexing mechanisms in place [31][34] Question: Drivers of margin performance in Transportation Solutions - Margin improvement is primarily driven by a shift towards higher-margin services rather than the low bid strategy [42] Question: Comfort in bidding for new projects - Management remains optimistic about bid activity and backlog, focusing on long-term growth despite current softness in the residential market [48] Question: M&A priorities in e infrastructure - The company is looking for geographic expansion and additional services, particularly in Texas, to enhance its portfolio [54][56] Question: Expectations for the next infrastructure bill - Management noted positive bipartisan activity in Congress regarding the next infrastructure bill, indicating a proactive approach to future funding [63][66] Question: Capacity constraints related to biopharma projects - Management is confident in handling new projects and is prepared to increase capacity if necessary [70][72]

Core Insights - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with adjusted net income increasing by 28% and adjusted diluted EPS reaching $1.63 [6][8][9] - The company experienced a revenue growth of 7% on a pro forma basis, driven by significant growth in E-Infrastructure Solutions and Transportation Solutions [6][8] - The backlog at the end of Q1 2025 was $2.1 billion, reflecting a 17% increase year-over-year, with a book-to-burn ratio of 2.2x [6][8] Financial Performance - Revenues for Q1 2025 were $430.9 million, a 7% increase compared to the prior year quarter, excluding RHB [8][20] - Gross margin improved to 22.0%, up from 17.5% in the previous year [8][20] - Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders was $39.5 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, representing increases of 27% and 28% respectively [8][20] Segment Performance - E-Infrastructure Solutions generated revenues of $218.3 million, accounting for 51% of total revenue, with an operating income margin of 21.4% [21] - Transportation Solutions saw revenues of $120.7 million, with a 9% increase and an operating income margin of 9.3% [21] - Building Solutions experienced a revenue decline of 14%, attributed to challenges in the housing market [9][21] Acquisition and Strategic Moves - The acquisition of Drake Concrete, LLC for $25 million is expected to contribute approximately $55 million in revenue and $6.5 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2025 [5][6] - The company is focusing on high-margin service offerings, which has positively impacted gross profit margins and adjusted EBITDA growth [6][9] Outlook and Guidance - The company raised its 2025 guidance, projecting a 12% revenue growth on a pro forma basis, alongside 22% growth in adjusted diluted EPS and 23% growth in adjusted EBITDA [9][33] - The CEO expressed confidence in continued bottom-line growth that outpaces top-line growth, supported by a strong backlog and cash flow generation [6][9]

Core Insights - MasTec, Inc. reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with earnings and revenues exceeding expectations, leading to a 3.7% increase in share price post-earnings release [1][2][4] Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS reached 51 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents by 50%, compared to a loss of 17 cents per share in the same quarter last year [4] - Revenues totaled $2.85 billion, exceeding the consensus mark of $2.72 billion by 4.7%, and increased by 6% year-over-year, driven by double-digit growth in non-pipeline segments [4] - Adjusted EBITDA was reported at $164 million, reflecting a 7.1% increase from the prior year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 5.7% [10] Backlog and Growth - As of March 31, 2025, MasTec's backlog stood at $15.88 billion, up 23.7% year-over-year and 11% sequentially, with significant contributions from the Pipeline Infrastructure segment, which more than doubled its backlog [5][2] Segment Performance - Communications segment revenues rose 34.7% to $680.9 million, supported by increased activity in wireless and wireline projects, despite a decline in install-to-the-home projects [6] - Clean Energy and Infrastructure revenues increased by 21.5% to $915.8 million, driven by higher project volumes in renewables and infrastructure initiatives [7] - Power Delivery segment revenues increased to $899.7 million, up from $797.9 million year-over-year, although adjusted EBITDA margin contracted by 60 bps to 5.7% [8] - Pipeline Infrastructure revenues fell 43.8% to $356.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.5%, down 210 bps year-over-year [9] Cash Flow and Debt - The company generated $78.4 million in cash from operating activities, down from $107.8 million a year ago, and maintained net debt leverage at 1.9x [3][12] - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $345.7 million from $399.9 million at the end of 2024, while long-term debt slightly increased to $2.041 billion [12] Future Guidance - For Q2 2025, MasTec expects revenues of approximately $3.4 billion, up from $3 billion in Q2 2024, with adjusted EBITDA estimated between $270-$280 million [13] - The company anticipates full-year revenues of about $13.65 billion, an increase from the previous estimate of $13.45 billion, and adjusted EPS is expected to be between $5.90 and $6.25 [14][15]