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AECOM (ACM - Free Report) reported third-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein earnings and revenues beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. Notably, the company witnessed the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth, a near-record level of backlog and a strong balance sheet. It also raised its adjusted EBITDA guidance. Shares of AECOM gained 3.1% on Aug 4, following the earnings release.
Delving Deeper
Adjusted earnings per share of 55 cents topped the consensus mark of 46 cents by 19.6% and grew 28% year over year. Revenues of $3,189.7 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,265 million by 2.1% but fell 5.1% year over year.
Improved profitability reflects the company’s efforts to transform itself into a higher-margin and lower-risk Professional Services business.
AECOM reports through three segments — Americas, which consists of the company’s business in the United States, Canada and Latin America; International, which includes the businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Asia-Pacific regions; and AECOM Capital.
Americas revenues were down 4% year over year to $2,471.5 million. Nonetheless, net service revenues or NSR of $923 million for the quarter grew 2% year over year on a constant-currency organic basis, backed by double-digit growth in the Construction Management business.
Adjusted operating income of $165 million grew 25% year over year. Moreover, adjusted operating margin on an NSR basis expanded 340 basis points (bps) year over year, given solid execution, actions taken to boost margins and a strong backlog performance.
International revenues dropped 10% on a year-over-year basis to $717.9 million. On a constant-currency organic basis, NSR decreased 3% from a year ago to $590 million for the quarter. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region was offset by a decline in the EMEA region, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adjusted operating income in the segment rose 3% year on year to $34 million. Adjusted operating margin on an NSR basis expanded 50 bps year over year. This was attributed to the benefits of real estate restructuring, a streamlined G&A structure and the ongoing exit from more than 30 countries, despite a decline in revenues.
AECOM Capital (ACAP) — which develops real estate, public private partnership and infrastructure projects — contributed $0.2 million to total revenues versus $1.4 million a year ago. The segment recorded operating loss of $0.6 million.
Operating Highlights
Adjusted operating margin for the quarter amounted to 13.2%, up 250 bps from the year-ago level. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 18% year over year to $187 million. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.
At fiscal third quarter-end, the company’s total backlog was $41.5 billion, up 16% from the prior-year figure. New order wins during the fiscal third quarter were recorded at $3.2 billion. Its total book-to-burn ratio was more than 1, on account of solid performance in design businesses
Liquidity & Cash Flow
As of Jun 30, 2020, AECOM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,331.3 million, up from $1,135.1 million in the fiscal second quarter and $885.6 million at fiscal 2019-end.
As of Jun 30, 2020, total debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance cost) was $2.09 billion, down from $2.15 billion at fiscal second quarter-end and $3.35 billion at fiscal 2019-end. Of the total debt, it had $654 million of net debt and was undrawn under the $1.35-billion revolving credit facility.
Restructuring Update
AECOM is focused on the ongoing restructuring initiatives and expects to boost margins substantially, going forward. Its restructuring expenses are expected in the range of $160-$190 million. Total cash restructuring costs are projected within $185-$205 million.
Fiscal 2020 Guidance Raised
AECOM boosted its fiscal 2020 guidance. Adjusted EBITDA is now projected in the range of $720-$740 million versus $700-$740 million expected earlier. The midpoint of the guided range indicates 11% year-over-year growth. Also, it would mark the second consecutive year of double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth. The company reiterated its free cash flow projection of $100-$300 million.
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AECOM (ACM) Tops Q3 Earnings & Revenue Estimates, Ups View
AECOM (ACM - Free Report) reported third-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein earnings and revenues beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. Notably, the company witnessed the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth, a near-record level of backlog and a strong balance sheet. It also raised its adjusted EBITDA guidance. Shares of AECOM gained 3.1% on Aug 4, following the earnings release.
Delving Deeper
Adjusted earnings per share of 55 cents topped the consensus mark of 46 cents by 19.6% and grew 28% year over year. Revenues of $3,189.7 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,265 million by 2.1% but fell 5.1% year over year.
Improved profitability reflects the company’s efforts to transform itself into a higher-margin and lower-risk Professional Services business.
AECOM Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
AECOM price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | AECOM Quote
Segment Details
AECOM reports through three segments — Americas, which consists of the company’s business in the United States, Canada and Latin America; International, which includes the businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Asia-Pacific regions; and AECOM Capital.
Americas revenues were down 4% year over year to $2,471.5 million. Nonetheless, net service revenues or NSR of $923 million for the quarter grew 2% year over year on a constant-currency organic basis, backed by double-digit growth in the Construction Management business.
Adjusted operating income of $165 million grew 25% year over year. Moreover, adjusted operating margin on an NSR basis expanded 340 basis points (bps) year over year, given solid execution, actions taken to boost margins and a strong backlog performance.
International revenues dropped 10% on a year-over-year basis to $717.9 million. On a constant-currency organic basis, NSR decreased 3% from a year ago to $590 million for the quarter. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region was offset by a decline in the EMEA region, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adjusted operating income in the segment rose 3% year on year to $34 million. Adjusted operating margin on an NSR basis expanded 50 bps year over year. This was attributed to the benefits of real estate restructuring, a streamlined G&A structure and the ongoing exit from more than 30 countries, despite a decline in revenues.
AECOM Capital (ACAP) — which develops real estate, public private partnership and infrastructure projects — contributed $0.2 million to total revenues versus $1.4 million a year ago. The segment recorded operating loss of $0.6 million.
Operating Highlights
Adjusted operating margin for the quarter amounted to 13.2%, up 250 bps from the year-ago level. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 18% year over year to $187 million. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.
At fiscal third quarter-end, the company’s total backlog was $41.5 billion, up 16% from the prior-year figure. New order wins during the fiscal third quarter were recorded at $3.2 billion. Its total book-to-burn ratio was more than 1, on account of solid performance in design businesses
Liquidity & Cash Flow
As of Jun 30, 2020, AECOM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,331.3 million, up from $1,135.1 million in the fiscal second quarter and $885.6 million at fiscal 2019-end.
As of Jun 30, 2020, total debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance cost) was $2.09 billion, down from $2.15 billion at fiscal second quarter-end and $3.35 billion at fiscal 2019-end. Of the total debt, it had $654 million of net debt and was undrawn under the $1.35-billion revolving credit facility.
Restructuring Update
AECOM is focused on the ongoing restructuring initiatives and expects to boost margins substantially, going forward. Its restructuring expenses are expected in the range of $160-$190 million. Total cash restructuring costs are projected within $185-$205 million.
Fiscal 2020 Guidance Raised
AECOM boosted its fiscal 2020 guidance. Adjusted EBITDA is now projected in the range of $720-$740 million versus $700-$740 million expected earlier. The midpoint of the guided range indicates 11% year-over-year growth. Also, it would mark the second consecutive year of double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth. The company reiterated its free cash flow projection of $100-$300 million.
Zacks Rank
AECOM — which shares space with KBR, Inc. (KBR - Free Report) , Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR - Free Report) and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (J - Free Report) in the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry — currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>