Comfort Systems USA(US:FIX)2026-02-20 17:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record earnings with a quarterly EPS of $9.37, up 129% from the previous year, and an annual EPS of $28.88, compared to $14.60 in 2024 [5][12] - Revenue for Q4 2025 increased by 42% year-over-year to $2.6 billion, while full-year revenue exceeded $9 billion, marking a 30% increase compared to 2024 [7][12] - Gross profit for Q4 was $675 million, a $241 million increase from the previous year, with a gross profit margin of 25.5%, up from 23.2% [8][9] - Operating income for Q4 increased by 89% to $427 million, with an operating income percentage of 16.1%, up from 12.1% [11] - Full-year EBITDA was $1.45 billion, with an EBITDA margin of 16% [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mechanical segment revenue increased by 21%, while the electrical segment revenue surged by 62% [7] - Same-store revenue growth for Q4 was 35%, with an overall same-store revenue increase of 26% for the year [5][7] - Service revenue grew by 12%, contributing to a record $1.2 billion in total service revenue for 2025 [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog reached an all-time high of $12 billion, with a 93% increase year-over-year on a same-store basis [5][14] - The industrial sector, including technology, accounted for 67% of total revenue, with technology alone representing 45% of revenue, up from 33% the previous year [15][16] - Institutional markets, including education and healthcare, contributed 21% of revenue [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to increase modular capacity from 3 million sq ft to approximately 4 million sq ft by the end of 2026, with investments in technology and workforce training [6][14] - Recent acquisitions of two electrical companies are expected to enhance operational capabilities [6] - The company is focused on maintaining strong relationships with customers and investing in its workforce to meet growing demand [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for continued strong performance in 2026, supported by unprecedented backlog and project pipelines [17] - The company anticipates same-store revenue growth in the mid-teens to high-teens percentage for 2026, with a focus on maintaining profitability and productivity [11][41] - Management acknowledged challenges such as labor shortages but emphasized their commitment to attracting and retaining talent [24] Other Important Information - The company increased its quarterly dividend by $0.10 to $0.70 per share, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns [7] - Full-year free cash flow reached a record $1 billion, indicating strong cash generation capabilities [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on backlog growth - Management clarified that backlog reflects binding commitments from projects planned 1-2 years prior, indicating they are late-cycle players in the construction process [20][22] Question: Labor shortage situation - Management confirmed they have added over 7,000 employees in the last 24 months and are employing various strategies to attract and retain talent [24] Question: Bookings in Q4 - Management noted that over half of the $2.6 billion in bookings were new modular bookings, with significant activity in data centers and other sectors [32][33] Question: Modular expansion timeline - The company plans a gradual addition of modular capacity throughout 2026, with some space becoming productive earlier in the year [36] Question: Impact of weather on operations - Management acknowledged that weather events, such as ice storms, can impact operations but are considered seasonal and manageable [72][74] Question: M&A pipeline and cash deployment - Management indicated a strong M&A pipeline but emphasized the need for conviction in acquisitions, balancing cash generation with strategic investments [82][86]