The US-based Granite Construction Incorporated ( GVA ), which has been around for well over a century now, currently serves as a vertically integrated civil contractor (it constructs for both the public and private sector, although the former contributesAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not re ...

Investors might want to bet on Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.S ...

Core Insights - Granite has been awarded a $24 million contract by the Riverside County Transportation Commission to transform the Perris South Metrolink Station and Layover Facility Project, aimed at improving service reliability and addressing increased commuter demand [1][2] Project Overview - The current single-track terminus of the Perris South station faces operational constraints that limit train movements and create service bottlenecks, necessitating the transformation into a high-capacity hub [2] - The project will enhance rail capacity and reliability, providing a viable alternative to congested freeway corridors, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable growth in the Inland Empire [3] Strategic Importance - This initiative represents a significant strategic win for Granite, reinforcing its commitment to expanding in the rail end market and the Inland Empire region [3] - The project builds on Granite's successful partnership with RCTC and Metrolink, leveraging the company's strengths in heavy civil construction and rail [3] Key Project Features - The addition of a second passenger platform and approximately 1,100–1,200 feet of new station track will enable two trains to load/unload simultaneously [5] - The existing platform will be extended to accommodate eight-car Metrolink trains, with upgrades to passenger amenities including canopies and electronic displays [5] - New pedestrian safety enhancements will be introduced, including an at-grade crossing with active warning gates and flashing lights [5] - The layover facility will be expanded to add a fourth layover track and new switching infrastructure, improving operational flexibility [5]

Core Insights - Tutor Perini (TPC) has undergone a significant turnaround in the civil construction sector over the past 18 months, transforming from a debt-laden, unprofitable contractor to a more stable entity [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - The company was previously characterized by volatile, low-margin earnings, but has now managed to improve its financial standing [1]. - Tutor Perini's transformation highlights its ability to navigate challenges within the civil construction industry effectively [1]. Group 2: Industry Context - The civil construction sector has been marked by companies facing chronic profitability issues, making Tutor Perini's turnaround particularly noteworthy [1].

Core Insights - Tutor Perini (TPC) has undergone a significant turnaround in the civil construction sector over the past 18 months, transforming from a debt-laden, unprofitable contractor to a more stable entity [1] Company Summary - The company was previously characterized by volatile, low-margin earnings and chronic unprofitability [1] - Tutor Perini has managed to improve its financial standing and operational efficiency, indicating a positive shift in its business model [1]

Q3 2025 Financial Performance - Total revenue increased by $158 million year-over-year to $1433 million[15] - Construction revenue increased by $82 million year-over-year to $1162 million[15] - Materials revenue increased by $76 million year-over-year to $271 million[15] - Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 330 bps year-over-year to 150%[15,18] - Adjusted net income increased by $33 million year-over-year to $124 million[15] - CAP increased by $718 million year-over-year to $63 billion[15] Materials Segment Performance - Aggregate average selling price increased by 256% year-over-year from $1636 to $2054 per ton in Q3 2025[67] - Asphalt average selling price increased by 68% year-over-year from $7866 to $8400 per ton in Q3 2025[67] - Aggregate sales volume increased by 263% year-over-year from 6366 tons to 8041 tons in Q3 2025[68] - Asphalt sales volume increased by 144% year-over-year from 2801 tons to 3205 tons in Q3 2025[68] Future Outlook - The company expects volume growth in both aggregate and asphalt into 2026, supported by strong demand[11] - Revenue is expected to accelerate in Q4 and into 2026 as projects ramp up[14] - The company is positioned to act on future M&A opportunities[18] - The company expects to outperform its target of 9% of operating cash flow as a percentage of revenue in 2025[23]

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying those that can fulfill their potential is challenging [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 40.8%, with projected EPS growth of 56.8% this year, significantly surpassing the industry average of 11.1% [4] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Sterling Infrastructure's year-over-year cash flow growth is 30.6%, exceeding the industry average of 17.2% [5] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 39.7%, compared to the industry average of 7% [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Sterling Infrastructure, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 2.7% over the past month [8] - The combination of strong earnings estimate revisions and a Growth Score of B positions Sterling Infrastructure as a potential outperformer for growth investors [10]

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are increasingly focused on identifying stocks with above-average financial growth, but this can be challenging due to the associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) is currently highlighted as a recommended growth stock due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 40.8%, with projected EPS growth of 56.8% this year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 11.1% [4] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Sterling Infrastructure's year-over-year cash flow growth stands at 30.6%, exceeding the industry average of 17.2% [5] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 39.7%, compared to the industry average of 7% [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - The current-year earnings estimates for Sterling Infrastructure have been revised upward, with a 2.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past month [7] - The combination of positive earnings estimate revisions and a Zacks Rank 1 positions Sterling Infrastructure favorably for potential outperformance [9]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of confirming the sustainability of stock trends for successful short-term investing, highlighting the use of a specific screening strategy to identify stocks with strong fundamentals and positive price momentum. Group 1: Trend Analysis - The trend in short-term investing is crucial, and confirming its sustainability is essential for profitability [1][2] - A unique screening strategy called "Recent Price Strength" helps identify stocks with sufficient fundamental strength to maintain their upward trend [3] Group 2: Stock Performance - Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) has shown a solid price increase of 60.5% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [4] - STRL has also increased by 25.2% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [5] - The stock is currently trading at 91.5% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout [5] Group 3: Fundamental Strength - STRL holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [6] - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term performance [7] Group 4: Additional Insights - Besides STRL, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the "Recent Price Strength" screen, suggesting further investment opportunities [8] - The article encourages utilizing various Zacks Premium Screens tailored to different investing styles to identify winning stock picks [8]

Acquisitions and Financial Performance - Granite acquired Warren Paving and Papich Construction for a combined $710 million[8] - The acquisitions are expected to contribute approximately $425 million in annual revenue with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 18%[8] - Granite's Materials segment aggregate sales volumes are expected to increase approximately 27% annually due to the acquisitions[8] - Granite's aggregates reserves and resources are expected to increase by approximately 30% due to the acquisitions[8] - Q2 2025 total revenue was $1,126 million, an increase of $43 million year-over-year[34] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $152 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 135%, representing a 150 basis points increase year-over-year[34] Market and Operational Highlights - Warren Paving has estimated aggregates reserves and resources of over 400 million tons[11, 14] - Papich Construction has estimated aggregates reserves and resources of over 40 million tons[21] - Mississippi and Louisiana are expected to receive a combined $30 billion in data center investments[19] Guidance and Targets - The company updated its 2025 revenue guidance to $435 billion - $455 billion[40] - The company is targeting a 65%-85% free cash flow margin in 2027[40]