Comfort Systems USA(US:FIX)2026-02-20 17:02Financial 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] - Fourth quarter revenue increased by 42% year-over-year to $2.6 billion, while full year revenue exceeded $9 billion, marking a 30% increase compared to 2024 [8][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% [9][12] - Operating income for Q4 rose by 89% to $427 million, with an operating income percentage of 16.1% [11] - Full year EBITDA increased by 78% to $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% [8][9] - Same-store revenue growth for the quarter was 35%, with overall same-store revenue increasing by 26% [5][8] - 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 technology sector accounted for 45% of total revenue, up from 33% the previous year, driven by data center work [15][16] - The industrial sector, including technology, represented 67% of total volume in 2025 [15] - Institutional markets, such as education and healthcare, contributed 21% of revenue [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to increase its 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][15] - The company has acquired two electrical companies to enhance its service offerings and expand its market presence [7] - The focus remains on maintaining strong relationships with technology customers and expanding in the modular construction space [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for continued strong performance in 2026, supported by unprecedented backlog and strong project pipelines [17] - The company anticipates same-store revenue growth in the mid-teens to high-teens percentage for 2026, with a heavier contribution expected in the first half of the year [10][12] - Management acknowledged challenges in the labor market but emphasized their ability to attract and retain talent through various initiatives [24] Other Important Information - The company increased its quarterly dividend by $0.10 to $0.70 per share and returned over $200 million to shareholders through share repurchases [8][13] - The backlog reached an all-time high of $12 billion, with significant growth in technology-related bookings [5][14] 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][21] Question: Labor shortage situation - Management confirmed they have added over 7,000 employees in the last 24 months and are employing various strategies to meet labor demands [23][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 productivity expected to begin shortly after procurement [35] Question: Impact of cooling requirements on business - Management stated that changes in cooling requirements for next-generation chips would not significantly impact their business, as demand for electricians and pipe fitters remains strong [77][78] 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 [81][82]