Core Insights - Jacobs Solutions Inc. is well positioned for fiscal 2026 with a record backlog, steady demand, and margin momentum, achieving a fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.4% [1][8] - The company has a record backlog of $23.1 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, and a trailing 12-month book-to-bill ratio of 1.1x [6][8] - Jacobs has gained 1.1% in shares year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry's decline of 2.1% [3] Financial Performance - Jacobs ended fiscal 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.24 billion, an increase from $1.14 billion at the end of fiscal 2024, while long-term debt rose to $2.24 billion from $1.35 billion [10] - The company reported cash flow from operations of $687 million and free cash flow of $607 million, returning a record $1.1 billion to shareholders [10] Growth Drivers - Jacobs' broad capabilities in digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, and public-sector advisory services, along with notable contract wins, reinforce its market position [2] - Recent contract wins include partnerships with United Utilities in the U.K. and a major transportation award from the New York MTA [7] Market Expansion - Jacobs is expanding its global footprint, particularly in the Middle East, which is experiencing double-digit growth due to major infrastructure programs [9] - The company is also seeing strong demand in Australia and steady recovery in Europe, while the U.S. remains its strongest market [9] Challenges - Near-term pressures include seasonal margin softness, one-time cash costs, and softness in the environmental market [5][11][13] - The environmental segment is facing delays in spending decisions from private-sector clients due to regulatory volatility [13]

Core Insights - Jacobs Solutions Inc. and Arcadis have secured the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project in Queensland, Australia, aimed at enhancing the rail network capacity and passenger experience between Brisbane and the Gold Coast [1][7] - The joint venture will oversee the design and construction of significant upgrades, including doubling the tracks along a 12.4-mile (20-kilometer) corridor and removing five level crossings to improve safety and reduce congestion [2][7] - Jacobs' expertise in infrastructure solutions is expected to bolster the development of a sustainable transportation network in Australia, positively impacting its infrastructure portfolio and stock performance [3][6] Company Performance - Jacobs' backlog reached a record high of $23.1 billion at the end of fiscal 2025, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year, supported by strong demand for consulting services across various sectors [4][7] - The company has recently extended its operational intelligence agreement with United Utilities in the U.K. and was selected for the Interborough Express light rail project in New York, indicating continued growth in its advisory and project execution capabilities [5][6] - Year-to-date, Jacobs' stock has increased by 1.7%, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry's decline of 3.9%, showcasing resilience amid global market uncertainties [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 28% year-over-year increase in Q4 adjusted EPS, driven by a 6% net revenue growth and a record adjusted EBITDA margin of over 14.4% [5][10] - For the full fiscal year 2025, adjusted EPS grew by 16%, supported by mid-single-digit net revenue growth and strong margin expansion [5][11] - The consolidated backlog increased by 6% year-over-year to a record $23.1 billion, with a trailing 12-month book-to-bill ratio of 1.1x [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4, gross revenue increased by 7% year-over-year, while adjusted net revenue grew by 6% [10] - The Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities segment saw a 16% increase in operating profit year-over-year in Q4, with a 13% increase for the full fiscal year [16] - PA Consulting's revenue increased by 10% year-over-year in Q4, contributing to a 17% increase in operating profit [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net revenue growth across the three end markets was consistent, with water and environmental and life sciences and advanced manufacturing growing just over 4%, and critical infrastructure at about 6% for fiscal year 2025 [12] - In Q4, net revenue in critical infrastructure increased by more than 9% year-on-year, driven by key programs in the transportation sector [13] - The water and environmental end market saw flat year-on-year revenue in Q4, with mixed demand trends [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to redefine the asset life cycle and expand its addressable market with core clients, particularly in the water sector, which remains a high-growth area [6][8] - The strategy includes leveraging AI and digital capabilities to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency [42][43] - The company is focused on maintaining a disciplined capital returns policy while investing in growth opportunities [17][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in entering FY 2026 with strong momentum, backed by a record backlog and expanding margins [21][19] - The company anticipates continued tailwinds in the transportation and energy sectors, with expectations for water to remain a key growth driver [14][15] - Management highlighted the importance of regulatory stability in the environmental sector for future growth [31] Other Important Information - Free cash flow generation for fiscal year 2025 was $607 million, with a return of approximately 150% of free cash flow to shareholders [17] - The company approved a $0.32 per share dividend, representing a 10% year-over-year growth [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of federal government shutdown on fiscal 2026 bookings - Management indicated that there was no impact from the federal government shutdown on fiscal 2025 bookings, as awards occurred before the shutdown [24] Question: Update on PA Consulting negotiations - Management confirmed that negotiations are progressing and a decision is expected before March 2026 [25] Question: Softness in environmental business - Management noted that regulatory volatility and a pause in spending from private sector clients contributed to the softness in the environmental sector [30][31] Question: Free cash flow guidance and unusual items - Management explained that the guidance includes a one-time tax event and cash expenses related to the PA Consulting combination [34] Question: Margin performance in infrastructure and advanced facilities - Management expects a sequential slowdown in Q1 margins but anticipates a linear progression throughout FY 2026 [40] Question: AI leverage and margin opportunities - Management highlighted ongoing AI initiatives and partnerships that are expected to contribute to margin expansion [42][43] Question: Regional performance across end markets - Management reported strong growth across all regions, with double-digit growth in the Middle East and recovery in Europe [49] Question: Pipeline outlook and conversion expectations - Management indicated that the fastest-growing pipelines are in data centers, semiconductors, and life sciences, with strong conversion expected in FY 2026 [67]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 28% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS for Q4, driven by a 6% net revenue growth and a record adjusted EBITDA margin of over 14.4% [6][12] - For the full fiscal year 2025, adjusted EPS grew by 16%, supported by mid-single-digit net revenue growth and strong margin expansion [6][12] - The consolidated backlog increased by 6% year-over-year to a record $23.1 billion, with a trailing 12-month book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 times [12][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities operating profit increased by 16% year-over-year in Q4, with a 13% increase for the full fiscal year [16][17] - PA Consulting's revenue grew by 10% year-over-year in Q4, contributing to a 17% increase in operating profit [17] - The water and environmental sector saw net revenue growth of just over 4% for the fiscal year, while critical infrastructure grew by about 6% [13][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4, net revenue in critical infrastructure increased by more than 9% year-over-year, driven by key programs in the transportation sector [13][14] - The life sciences and advanced manufacturing sector experienced a net revenue growth of just over 5% in Q4, with strong growth in life sciences and data centers [15] - The water and environmental end market was roughly flat year-over-year in Q4, with mixed demand impacting performance [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to redefine the asset life cycle and expand its addressable market with core clients, particularly in the water sector, which remains a high-growth area [7][9] - The strategy includes leveraging AI and digital capabilities to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency [46][47] - The company is focused on maintaining a disciplined capital returns policy while investing in growth opportunities [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in entering FY26 with strong momentum, backed by a record backlog and healthy demand across sectors [21][20] - The company anticipates continued tailwinds in transportation and energy sectors, with expectations for water to remain a key growth driver [15][16] - Management highlighted the importance of regulatory stability in the environmental sector for future growth [32] Other Important Information - Free cash flow generation for fiscal year 2025 was $607 million, with a commitment to return approximately 150% of free cash flow to shareholders [18] - The company approved a $0.32 per share dividend, representing a 10% year-over-year growth [19] - The fiscal year 2026 outlook includes expectations for adjusted net revenue growth of 6%-10% and adjusted EPS growth of 16% year-over-year [19][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of federal government shutdown on fiscal 2026 bookings - Management indicated that there was no impact from the federal government shutdown on bookings, as awards occurred before the shutdown [24][25] Question: Update on PA Consulting negotiations - Management confirmed that negotiations are progressing and a decision is expected before March 2026 [26] Question: Softness in environmental business - Management noted that regulatory volatility and a pause in spending from private sector clients contributed to softness in the environmental sector [32][33] Question: Free cash flow guidance and unusual items - Management explained that the guidance includes a one-time tax event and cash expenses related to PA Consulting negotiations [36] Question: Margin performance in infrastructure and advanced facilities - Management expects a sequential slowdown in Q1 margins but anticipates a linear progression throughout FY26 [43] Question: Leveraging AI for margin opportunities - Management highlighted ongoing AI initiatives and partnerships that are expected to contribute to margin expansion [46][47] Question: Transportation funding visibility under IIJ - Management confirmed that transportation remains a catalyst for growth, with strong performance seen globally [52] Question: Regional performance across end markets - Management reported double-digit growth in the Middle East and recovery in Europe, with strong performance across all regions [53] Question: Bridging margin expansion between fiscal years - Management outlined several factors contributing to margin expansion, including global delivery and operational efficiencies [60][61] Question: Changes in data center assignments - Management noted increased interest in data center projects in the Middle East and Europe, with a fivefold increase in the pipeline [64][71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 28% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS for Q4, driven by a 6% net revenue growth and a record adjusted EBITDA margin of over 14.4% [6][12] - For the full fiscal year 2025, adjusted EPS grew by 16%, supported by mid-single-digit net revenue growth and strong margin expansion [6][12] - The consolidated backlog increased by 6% year-over-year to a record $23.1 billion, with a trailing 12-month book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 times [12][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities operating profit increased by 16% year-over-year in Q4, with a 13% increase for the full fiscal year [16][17] - PA Consulting's revenue grew by 10% year-over-year in Q4, contributing to a 17% increase in operating profit [17] - The water and environmental sector saw flat revenue year-over-year in Q4, while critical infrastructure net revenue increased by over 9% [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net revenue growth across the three end markets was consistent, with water and environmental and life sciences and advanced manufacturing growing just over 4%, and critical infrastructure at about 6% for fiscal year 2025 [14] - The company experienced strong growth in the transportation sector, particularly in the U.S. and internationally, with significant projects in New York and the U.K. [10][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to redefine the asset life cycle and expand its addressable market with core clients, particularly in the water sector, which remains a high-growth area [7][10] - The strategy includes leveraging AI and digital capabilities to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency [49][50] - The company is focused on maintaining a disciplined capital returns policy while investing in growth opportunities [18][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in entering fiscal year 2026 with strong momentum, backed by a record backlog and expanding margins [22][20] - The company anticipates continued tailwinds in the transportation and energy sectors, with expectations for water to remain a key growth driver [15][16] - Management noted that fiscal year 2026 will include an extra week in Q4, which is expected to positively impact revenue growth [19] Other Important Information - Free cash flow generation for fiscal year 2025 was $607 million, with a commitment to return approximately 150% of free cash flow to shareholders [18] - The company approved a $0.32 per share dividend, representing a 10% year-over-year increase [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of federal government shutdown on fiscal 2026 bookings - Management indicated that there was no impact from the federal government shutdown on fiscal 2025 bookings, as awards occurred before the shutdown [24][25] Question: Update on PA Consulting negotiations - Management confirmed that negotiations are progressing and a decision is expected before March 2026 [26] Question: Softness in environmental business - Management explained that regulatory volatility and a pause in spending from private sector clients contributed to the softness in the environmental sector [31][35] Question: Guidance on free cash flow - Management clarified that the guidance includes a one-time tax event and cash expenses related to the PA Consulting combination [39] Question: Margin performance in infrastructure and advanced facilities - Management noted that margins are expected to show a linear progression throughout fiscal year 2026, with Q1 being the slowest [46][48] Question: Transportation funding visibility under IIJ - Management confirmed that transportation remains a catalyst for growth, with strong performance seen globally [57] Question: Regional performance across end markets - Management reported double-digit growth in the Middle East and recovery in Europe, with strong performance across all regions [58][59] Question: Pipeline outlook and conversion - Management highlighted strong growth in the data center and semiconductor sectors, with a 5x increase in the data center pipeline [86][87]