Key Takeaways GLDD, INFU, TILE and CENX stocks were screened for margins, EPS growth and bullish analyst sentiment.All have witnessed upward EPS estimate revisions recently, reflecting confidence in their outlooks.All picks hold high Zacks Ranks and strong VGM Scores, supporting their upside potential.Investors seek companies that consistently generate profits. One of the best metrics to measure profitability is the net profit margin. This metric highlights a company's ability to convert sales into actual p ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenues of $193.8 million for Q2 2025, an increase of $23.7 million from the same quarter in 2024 [12] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $28 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.4% [12] - Net income for Q2 2025 was $9.7 million, up from $7.7 million in the prior year [13] - Gross profit increased to $36.6 million, with a gross profit margin of 18.9%, compared to $29.8 million and 17.5% in Q2 2024 [12][13] - The company ended the quarter with $2.9 million in cash and $5 million drawn on its revolving credit facility [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The dredging backlog stood at $1 billion, with 93% from capital and coastal protection projects [6] - Over 88% of Q2 revenue came from capital and coastal protection projects, which typically yield higher margins [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. dredging bid market is expected to normalize at approximately $2 billion, focusing on coastal protection projects [18] - The company is seeing early signs of the next phase of deepening projects, with work likely to commence in 2027 [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company initiated a $50 million share repurchase program, believing its share price did not reflect its financial performance [7] - The newbuild program is nearing completion, with the Amelia Island hopper dredge expected to be delivered soon [8] - The Arcadia vessel is being positioned for both domestic and international projects, expanding its target markets to include offshore energy [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in strong project execution and results for the remainder of 2025, with expectations for the highest revenue and net income in company history [15][21] - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to maintain record funding levels, providing revenue visibility extending into 2026 [17] Other Important Information - The company has a trailing twelve-month net leverage ratio of 2.7 times and no debt maturities until 2029 [14] - Total capital expenditures for Q2 were $64.6 million, with guidance for full-year CapEx remaining unchanged at $140 million to $160 million [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the pace of awards running to expectations? - Management noted that they expected a more normalized bid market and acknowledged that they did not bid on over 50% of projects due to availability constraints [25][26] Question: What is the likelihood of the Acadia being in the U.S. in 2027? - Management indicated that most efforts are focused on international markets, particularly in Europe, for the Acadia in 2027 [27][28] Question: Will there be any need for new vessels in the near future? - Management stated that they do not see a need for new dredges in the coming years, as the current fleet is modern and competitive [30][31] Question: What is the confidence level for Acadia's delivery in 2026? - Management expressed high confidence in the Q1 2026 delivery of the Acadia, with revenue expectations exceeding $100 million for the full year [34][37] Question: Are there any changes in customer hesitation in the base dredging business? - Management noted that while the Corps cannot bid new projects under the current resolution, many projects are still being executed, indicating a strong market [41] Question: What is the capital allocation strategy beyond CapEx? - Management emphasized a focus on completing the newbuild program before considering debt paydown or further share repurchases [59][60] Question: What drove the expansion of the credit facility? - The expansion was driven by favorable pricing and the need for letters of credit for LNG and offshore energy projects [61]

Key Takeaways GLDD's Q2 revenues are expected to rise 2.5% to $174.3M, led by capital and coastal protection demand.Capital and coastal protection sales are forecasted to grow 7% and 12.9%, respectively, year over year.Elevated labor costs and incentive expenses are likely to weigh on Q2 EPS, estimated to fall 27.3% to $0.08.Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2025 results on Aug. 5, before the opening bell.In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnin ...

Core Viewpoint - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation has received four significant work awards, enhancing its role in the U.S. energy infrastructure and contributing to its revenue visibility for 2025 and beyond [5][7]. Group 1: Work Awards - The company has been awarded a dredging contract for the Woodside Louisiana LNG project, which includes the construction of a ship berthing basin for LNG carriers, with operations expected to start in early 2026 [1]. - The Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel maintenance project involves dredging to maintain operating depths, with work expected to commence in the third quarter of 2025 and complete by the fourth quarter of 2025 [2]. - The Mississippi River Hopper Dredge Contract No. 3 involves rental of a dredge for maintenance dredging on the Mississippi River, with work having started in May 2025 [3]. - The Charleston Entrance Channel project, awarded in the first quarter of 2025, has been completed in the second quarter of 2025 [4]. Group 2: Financial Aspects - The awarded projects include financial figures: Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel project is valued at $36.2 million, Mississippi River Hopper Dredge Contract No. 3 at $17.6 million, and Charleston Entrance Channel at $10.8 million [7]. Group 3: Company Overview - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the U.S., with a history of completing significant international projects and a diverse fleet of approximately 200 specialized vessels [6]. - The company is expanding its core business into the offshore energy industry and employs experienced engineering staff for project management [6].

Financial Performance - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) reported Q1 2025 revenue of $243 million[14], a $44.2 million increase compared to Q1 2024[80] - Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $60.1 million for Q1 2025[78], a $17.2 million increase from Q1 2024[78] - The company's dredging backlog ended Q1 2025 at $1 billion[14], with 95% from capital and coastal protection projects[15] - The company has liquidity of over $300 million and announced a $50 million stock repurchase program in March 2025[87] Market and Operations - The company's dredging bid market share represents 27% of a $2375 million market average over the prior three years (2022-2024)[24, 32] - The U S Army Corps of Engineers' budget for 2024 was approved for $8.7 billion, leading to a $2.9 billion U S dredging bid market[33] - The company received notice to proceed in Q2 2025 for dredging work on the Woodside Louisiana LNG project[15] - The company is expanding its core business into the offshore energy industry[22] Fleet and Sustainability - The company is committed to fleet improvement, including new hopper dredges and support equipment[46] - The company is building the first Jones Act compliant, subsea rock installation vessel - Acadia, expected delivery in 2026[46] - The company achieved zero recordable incidents in Q1 2025[64]

Core Insights - Investors prioritize businesses that consistently generate profits, with net profit margin being a crucial metric for assessing profitability and operational effectiveness [1][2] Summary by Sections Net Profit Margin - Net profit margin is calculated as Net Profit divided by Sales multiplied by 100, indicating a company's efficiency in converting sales into actual profits [2] - A higher net profit margin reflects better operational strength and cost management, which is essential for rewarding stakeholders and attracting talent [2] Pros and Cons - Net profit margin provides clarity on a company's business model, including pricing policy and manufacturing efficiency, making it a preferred metric for investors [3] - Limitations include significant variations across industries and complications arising from different accounting treatments, particularly for non-cash expenses [3][4] Winning Strategy - A healthy net profit margin and solid earnings per share (EPS) growth are key elements sought in a business model [5] Screening Parameters - Criteria for screening include a net margin of at least 0%, positive percentage change in EPS, and a high broker rating indicating bullishness on the stock [6][7] Company Highlights - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) is the largest provider of dredging services in the U.S., with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A, and its 2025 earnings estimate has been revised upward by $0.27 to $0.96 per share [9][10] - Interface, Inc. (TILE) is the world's largest manufacturer of modular carpets, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A, with its 2025 earnings estimate revised to $1.58 per share [10][11] - Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX) focuses on therapies for rare diseases, carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A, with a recent upward revision of its 2025 earnings estimate to $2.25 per share [11][12] - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) operates in E-Infrastructure and Building Solutions, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of B, with its 2025 earnings estimate revised upward by $0.11 to $8.56 per share [13][14]

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced a significant rebound in May, driven by optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-China trade deal, a delay in tariffs on the European Union, and positive developments in broader trade negotiations [1] - The cooling inflation environment, with the core PCE rising only 0.1% in April, is contributing to a more supportive monetary stance from the Federal Reserve, fostering bullish market sentiment [2] Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to focus on relative price strength as a strategy to identify outperforming stocks during market uptrends [3][4] - Stocks that have shown better performance than their peers or the industry average, despite strong earnings growth or valuation multiples, should be prioritized [5] Stock Recommendations - Five stocks identified with strong relative price performance over 1, 4, and 12-week periods include: - OppFi Inc. (OPFI) with a market cap of $1.1 billion and a 326% increase in shares over the past year [11][12] - Allient Inc. (ALNT) with a market cap of $534.5 million and a 25% increase in shares over the past year [13][14] - Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY) with a market cap of $1.3 billion and a 43.3% increase in shares over the past year [15][16] - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) with a market cap of $789.3 million and a 26% increase in shares over the past year [17][18] - NetEase, Inc. (NTES) with a market cap of almost $80 billion and a 35% increase in shares over the past year [18][19] Earnings Estimates - Positive revisions in earnings estimates for Q1 have been noted for all five recommended stocks, indicating potential for further price gains [9][12][14][16][18]

Group 1: Strattec Security (STRT) - Strattec Security designs, develops, manufactures, and markets mechanical and electro-mechanical locks for automotive manufacturers in the US, Canada, and Mexico [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a Growth Score of A [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 19.9% over the last 60 days [1] Group 2: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is the largest provider of dredging services in the US, focusing on maintaining and deepening shipping channels, land reclamation, and coastline renourishment [2] - The company also holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Growth Score of A [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has risen by 34.8% over the last 60 days [2] Group 3: The ODP Corporation (ODP) - The ODP Corporation provides business services, products, and digital workplace technology solutions to various business sizes [3] - It carries a Zacks Rank of 1 and has a Growth Score of B [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 18.4% over the last 60 days [3]

Company Overview - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD) is the largest dredging company in the U.S. and operates in a niche but critical infrastructure segment [1] Market Position - Despite its leadership position, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is often overlooked by the market, indicating a potential undervaluation [1] Investment Focus - Stork Research, a private investor, specializes in overlooked and undercovered markets, focusing on micro-cap and small-cap equities that exhibit strong growth at reasonable valuations [1] - The research emphasizes deep, fundamentals-based analysis in sectors such as industrials and technology, which are historically rich in multi-bagger potential [1] Geographic Scope - The investment focus of Stork Research spans the U.S., Canada, and select European markets, including Poland and Germany [1] Investment Strategy - Stork Research typically avoids highly cyclical industries but occasionally targets recovery-phase opportunities or contrarian plays in severely overvalued names where sentiment diverges from long-term value [1]

Group 1: Encompass Health (EHC) - Encompass Health is a provider of integrated healthcare services with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.4% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.42, which is lower than the industry average of 2.53, and possesses a Growth Score of A [1] Group 2: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is the largest provider of dredging services in the US, maintaining and deepening shipping channels [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 34.8% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.98, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.57, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: The ODP Corporation (ODP) - The ODP Corporation provides business services, products, and digital workplace technology solutions to various business sizes [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 18.4% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.38, which is much lower than the industry average of 3.86, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]