Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue grew by 32% year-over-year, driven by a 58% increase in the e-infrastructure solutions segment and a 10% increase in the transportation segment [5][6] - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 58% to $3.48, while adjusted EBITDA rose by 47% to $156 million [5][6] - Gross profit margins expanded by 280 basis points to 24.7% [5] - Operating cash flow for the quarter was strong at $84 million, with backlog totaling $2.6 billion, a 64% year-over-year increase [5][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - E-infrastructure solutions revenue grew by 58% year-over-year, with a 42% organic growth rate [5][6] - Transportation solutions revenue increased by 10%, with adjusted operating profit growing by 40% [9] - Building solutions segment revenue declined by 1%, with adjusted operating income down by 10% due to challenges in the housing market [10][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - E-infrastructure backlog reached $1.8 billion, up 97% year-over-year [6] - Transportation solutions backlog was $733 million, a 23% year-over-year increase [9] - The overall demand for homes has been impacted by affordability challenges, leading to a 17% decline in revenue from the legacy residential business [10][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its service portfolio and leveraging the recent CEC acquisition to enhance growth opportunities [8][16] - The strategy emphasizes a commitment to infrastructure development while maintaining a focus on high-margin end markets [6][18] - The company anticipates continued growth in e-infrastructure, particularly in data centers and semiconductor fabrication facilities [14][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the multi-year opportunities across markets, particularly in e-infrastructure and transportation solutions [14][17] - The company expects e-infrastructure revenue growth of 30% or higher on an organic basis for 2025, with adjusted operating profit margins approximating 25% [16] - Transportation solutions are projected to grow in the low teens on an adjusted basis, with margins expected to improve significantly [17][18] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position with $306.4 million in cash and $294.6 million in debt, resulting in a net cash position of $11.8 million [12] - Full-year guidance for 2025 has been increased, projecting revenue between $2.375 billion and $2.39 billion, representing over 5% growth at the midpoint [12][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth in CEC signed and unsigned work - Management noted strong bookings in the data center market and expressed excitement about the reception from customers regarding the CEC acquisition [23][24] Question: Margin expansion opportunities - Management highlighted that larger project sizes and improved productivity from recent acquisitions contribute to expected margin expansion [26][27] Question: Composition of the $4 billion forward pipeline - The majority of the forward pipeline is in e-infrastructure, particularly data centers, which are expected to drive significant growth [43] Question: Impact of government shutdown on transportation funding - Management confirmed no impact from the government shutdown, as funding for current jobs has already been allocated [60] Question: Data center growth breakdown - Growth is attributed to a combination of new projects and the successful conversion of future phases into backlog [64]

Core Viewpoint - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) is expected to report its second-quarter 2025 results on August 4, with a focus on its performance in e-infrastructure, building solutions, and transportation solutions sectors [1]. Financial Performance - In the last reported quarter, Sterling achieved adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.63, reflecting a 29% year-over-year growth, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 31% to $80 million [2]. - Revenues for the last quarter were $430.9 million, surpassing estimates and showing a 7% growth on a pro-forma basis, despite a reported year-over-year decline due to a joint venture accounting change [2]. - The gross margin expanded by 450 basis points to 22%, indicating operational efficiencies and a favorable project mix [2]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the upcoming second-quarter EPS is $2.26, suggesting a 35.3% growth from the previous year, while the revenue estimate is $555.1 million, indicating a 4.8% year-over-year decline [6][7]. - For the full year 2025, STRL is projected to register a 41.2% EPS growth compared to the previous year [5]. Segment Performance - The E-Infrastructure Solutions segment, which accounted for 51% of first-quarter 2025 revenues, is expected to remain a key growth driver, benefiting from stable demand and rising data center activity [11]. - The Transportation Solutions segment, contributing 28% to total revenues, is anticipated to support growth due to a strong backlog and steady bid activity [12]. - The Building Solutions segment, which made up 21% of revenues, is expected to face mixed conditions, with some benefits from recent acquisitions and steady activity in core regions [13]. Market Conditions - The company is likely to experience pressures from residential market softness, inflation, and broader market volatility, which may impact top-line performance [14]. - Despite these challenges, Sterling's focus on high-value infrastructure projects and disciplined project execution is expected to support margin improvement [15]. Stock Performance - Year-to-date, STRL shares have gained 58.8%, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry and the S&P 500 [16]. - The current forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for STRL is 29.37, which is a 30.3% premium to the industry average of 22.54 [18]. Strategic Outlook - The company is positioned for growth through 2025, supported by solid execution, a favorable project mix, and a strong backlog, despite anticipated near-term challenges [22].

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]