Great Lakes Shareholders to receive $17.00 per Share in All-Cash Transaction Valued at $1.5 BillionHOUSTON and SEATTLE, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation ("Great Lakes" or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GLDD), the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, and Saltchuk Resources, Inc. ("Saltchuk"), a privately owned family of diversified freight transportation, marine service, and energy distribution companies, today announced a definitive agreement for Saltch ...

HOUSTON, Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (NASDAQ: GLDD) today announced that it will release the financial results for its three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. C.S.T. A conference call with the Company will be held the same day at 9:00 a.m. C.S.T. Investors and analysts are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call by using the link below. Participants who pre-register will be given a unique PIN to gain ...

Core Insights - The focus on healthy cash flow is becoming increasingly important for investors as they prepare for 2026, emphasizing that consistent cash generation is crucial for sustaining operations, funding growth, and maintaining financial flexibility [1][3] Group 1: Importance of Cash Flow - Profits alone do not guarantee long-term stability; companies with inconsistent cash flows may face challenges even if they are profitable [3] - Positive cash flow indicates an increase in liquid assets, allowing companies to meet obligations, reinvest, and weather downturns, while negative cash flow reduces liquidity and flexibility [5] - Increasing cash flow is essential for future growth, reflecting management's efficiency and reducing reliance on external financing [6] Group 2: Stock Picks Based on Cash Flow - Stocks such as Astronics Corporation (ATRO), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS), and Strattec Security Corporation (STRT) are highlighted as strong picks due to improving cash flow trends [2][8] - ATRO is expanding into aircraft lighting integration, with earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 rising by 10.3% and 8.4%, respectively [9][10] - GLDD's earnings expectations for 2025 and 2026 have increased by 6.9%, supported by strong demand for U.S. dredging operations [10] - NGS has seen earnings estimates improve by 9.5% and 14.1% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, due to its natural gas compression equipment and services [11] - STRT's fiscal 2026 earnings estimate has increased by 23.3%, currently standing at $5.24 per share [12] Group 3: Screening Parameters for Stock Selection - Stocks were screened for those with cash flow in the latest quarter at least equal to the 5-year average cash flow per common share, indicating a positive trend [7] - Additional criteria included a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), an average broker rating of 1, a current price of at least $5, and a VGM Score of B or better [8]

Group 1: RenaissanceRe (RNR) - RenaissanceRe provides property-catastrophe reinsurance globally on an excess of loss basis [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and a Growth Score of A [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 12.9% 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 [2] - The company also holds a Zacks Rank 1 and a Growth Score of A [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 6.9% over the last 60 days [2] Group 3: Phibro Animal Health (PAHC) - Phibro Animal Health is a leading global diversified animal health and mineral nutrition company [3] - The company carries a Zacks Rank 1 and has a Growth Score of B [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 9.1% over the last 60 days [3]

Industry Overview - The U.S. marine construction and dredging market is benefiting from ongoing infrastructure spending, coastal protection needs, and port expansion activities [1] - Recent monetary easing may support infrastructure activity by lowering financing costs, which can enhance project execution and revenue visibility through 2026 [2] Company Analysis: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) - GLDD reported a 12.8% year-over-year increase in contract revenues for the first nine months of 2025, totaling $631.8 million, driven by stronger activity levels and improved project performance [3][8] - The company has a strong backlog of $935 million, with a significant portion related to capital and coastal protection work, and an additional $194 million in low bids pending [4] - GLDD's profitability has improved due to higher-margin projects, efficient execution, and disciplined cost control, alongside a modernized fleet [3][6] - Despite challenges such as a normalized bid market and regulatory issues, GLDD is well-positioned for 2026 with strong liquidity and a diversified project mix [5][6] Company Analysis: Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (ORN) - ORN operates in marine and concrete services, benefiting from balanced exposure to public and private investments, which provides demand stability [7] - The company reported a revenue increase of approximately 7% year-over-year to $619 million, supported by steady activity across its key segments [9] - ORN increased its bonding capacity by $400 million in October 2025, enhancing its ability to pursue larger and more complex projects [11] - Challenges for ORN include earnings pressure from project timing variability and softer profitability in select concrete projects [10] Comparative Analysis - GLDD shows stronger near-term operating momentum with a higher-quality backlog and improving profitability, while ORN has a solid pipeline but faces more variability in margins and project timing [19] - GLDD is trading at a discount compared to ORN on a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio basis [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GLDD's 2026 EPS indicates a slight decline of 0.2%, while ORN's estimate implies a significant year-over-year improvement of 44.7% [16][18]

Core Insights - Net profit is a crucial indicator of a company's financial health, reflecting its ability to convert sales into profits [1] - A low profit margin indicates higher risks, while companies like Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), Strattec Security Corporation (STRT), Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS), and Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) demonstrate solid net profit margins [2] - A higher net profit margin compared to peers provides a competitive edge and attracts investors and skilled employees [4] Financial Metrics - Net Profit Margin is calculated as Net Profit/Sales * 100, serving as a reference for assessing operational strength and cost control [3] - A healthy net profit margin and solid EPS growth are essential for maximizing returns [7] Screening Criteria - Companies with a net margin of at least 0% indicate solid profitability [8] - Positive percentage change in EPS indicates earnings growth [8] - A Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 suggests strong performance potential [10] Selected Companies - GLDD is the largest provider of dredging services in the U.S., with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A; its 2026 earnings estimate has increased by $0.10 to $1.09 per share [10][11] - STRT designs and manufactures automotive locks, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A; its 2026 earnings estimate has risen by 23.3% to $5.24 per share [12][13] - NGS produces natural gas compressors, also with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of B; its 2026 earnings estimate has increased by 14.1% to $2.11 per share [13][14] - SMP manufactures automotive replacement parts, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A; its 2026 earnings estimate has risen by $0.04 to $4.31 per share [15][16]

Core Insights - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) has seen a stock performance increase of 12.3% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, the broader Construction sector, and the S&P 500 Index [2][9] - The company is benefiting from solid backlog growth driven by large-scale projects, disciplined bidding, and efficient project execution, positioning it well for long-term growth despite macroeconomic challenges [3][23] Backlog and Project Opportunities - GLDD's operations focus on complex port deepening, LNG-related dredging, and coastal resilience projects, supported by increased public infrastructure spending in the US [6] - The maintenance backlog grew year-over-year by 53.9% to $147.6 million, reflecting the company's disciplined bidding approach [6][9] Fleet Modernization - The company has been investing in a multi-year fleet modernization strategy, welcoming its sixth hopper dredge, Amelia Island, in Q3 2025, enhancing its operational capabilities [10] - The construction of the Acadia, a US-flagged subsea rock installation vessel, is expected to expand GLDD's market into offshore energy and subsea infrastructure protection, with the vessel fully booked for 2026 [11] Margin Improvement - GLDD's adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 310 basis points year-over-year to 20.2% during the first nine months of 2025, driven by effective project execution and a favorable project mix [12][13] - The gross margin also increased by 380 basis points year-over-year to 23.7%, indicating structural improvements in profitability [13] Competitive Position - GLDD occupies a specialized competitive position with strong demand for coastal resilience and offshore energy services, facing competition primarily from Orion Group Holdings, EMCOR Group, and Limbach Holdings [19][20] - GLDD's modern fleet and project execution capabilities provide it with an operational advantage over competitors in certain project types [20][22] Investment Outlook - GLDD's favorable public infrastructure backdrop, disciplined execution, and high-quality backlog provide strong revenue visibility and support high fleet utilization [23] - The stock is currently trading at a discounted forward P/E ratio of 12.18, making it an attractive investment option despite some uncertainty in earnings estimates [14][24]

Group 1: 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 storm-damaged coastline restoration [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 8.1% over the last 60 days [1] - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock has a PEG ratio of 1.9, which is lower than the industry average of 3.1, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Primoris Services (PRIM) - Primoris Services is one of the largest specialty contractors and infrastructure companies in the United States [2] - The company also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 and has experienced a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase of 9.1% over the last 60 days [2] - Primoris Services has a PEG ratio of 1.11 compared to the industry average of 3.35, and it holds a Growth Score of A [3] Group 3: Commercial Metals (CMC) - Commercial Metals manufactures, recycles, and markets steel and metal products, along with related materials and services [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a significant increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings by 24.4% over the last 60 days [3] - Commercial Metals has a PEG ratio of 0.44, which is considerably lower than the industry average of 1.31, and it possesses a Growth Score of B [4]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Micron Technology, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, and Alarm.com [1][2][3] Company Summaries - **Micron Technology (MU)**: - Leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions - Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) - Current year earnings estimate increased by 7% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 0.48 compared to the industry average of 1.42 - Growth Score of A [1][2] - **Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD)**: - Largest provider of dredging services in the US - Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) - Current year earnings estimate increased by 7.8% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 0.98 compared to the industry average of 2.99 - Growth Score of A [2][3] - **Alarm.com (ALRM)**: - Offers interactive security solutions for home and business owners - Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) - Current year earnings estimate increased by 5.5% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 1.64 compared to the industry average of 3.17 - Growth Score of B [3]

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 of Net Profit Margin - Net profit margin provides clarity on a company's business model, including pricing policy and cost structure, 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 high broker ratings indicating bullish sentiment [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 [9] - Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS) manufactures natural gas compressors, also holding a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A [10] - Strattec Security Corporation (STRT) designs and manufactures locks for automotive manufacturers, with a significant upward revision in earnings estimates [11] - Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NRIM) is a full-service commercial bank, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A [12] Earnings Estimates - GLDD's 2025 earnings estimate has increased by $0.08 to $1.10 per share, with an average surprise of 65.5% over the last four quarters [10] - NGS's 2025 earnings estimate has risen by $0.14 to $1.62 per share, with an average surprise of 28.9% [11] - STRT's fiscal 2026 earnings estimate has moved up by 23.3% to $5.24 per share, with an average surprise of 83.1% [12] - NRIM's 2025 earnings estimate has been revised upward by $0.15 to $2.50 per share, with an average surprise of approximately 19% [13]