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AECOM (ACM) Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates, Up Y/Y
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AECOM (ACM - Free Report) reported fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 results, wherein earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Adjusted earnings of 83 cents per share surpassed the consensus mark of 81 cents by 2.5%. Also, the reported figure increased 12% on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues of $5,306 million surpassed the consensus estimate of $5,264 million by 0.8%. The figure also increased 9% on a year-over-year basis. Growth across the segments drove the top line. Moreover, AECOM achieved 9% organic growth in the quarter, which marked the eight-consecutive quarter of positive organic growth owing to higher-margin Americas design and MS business.
Design & Consulting Services (DCS) revenues rose 8.8% year over year to $2,171.3 million. On a constant-currency basis, organic revenues increased 11%, backed by strong performance in the company’s transportation and water markets in the Americas. This impressive performance can be attributed to improved funding and a strong backlog position. Adjusted operating income of $133.1 million grew 14.4% year over year.
Construction Services (CS) revenues were up 7.5% to $2,118.3 million on a year-over-year basis. On a constant-currency basis, organic revenues rose 5%. The solid performance of this segment was driven by Building Construction businesses (which registered double-digit growth). Adjusted operating income in the segment was down 6.6% from a year ago to $45.6 million.
Management Services (MS) revenues registered a year-over-year increase of 14% to $1,016.2 million. Also, on an organic basis, revenues recorded growth of the same percentage, reflecting stellar performance across its portfolio of projects and about 120% backlog improvement from the beginning of fiscal 2017. Adjusted operating income declined 2.6% from a year ago to $59.8 million in the reported quarter.
In the AECOM Capital (ACAP), which develops real estate, public private partnership (P3) and infrastructure projects, operating income of $13.1 million grew from the prior-year figure of $7.2 million.
Operating Highlights
AECOM’s gross margin was in line with the prior-year figure of 3.5%. Adjusted operating income in the quarter under review amounted to $217.9 million, up 9% from the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 4% year over year to $233.4 million.
At the end of the fiscal fourth quarter, the company’s total backlog of $54.1 billion was up 14%, reflecting a favorable mix shift to higher-margin DCS and MS segments.
New order wins for the full year were recorded at $28.4 billion, up 23% from the prior-year quarter. The company’s total book-to-burn ratio was 1.3, with higher contribution from all the segments and a significant 2.5 book-to-burn ratio in the MS segment.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
As of Sep 30, 2018, AECOM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $886.7 million compared with $802.4 million on Sep 30, 2017.
As of Sep 30, 2018, total debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance cost) came in at $3,673.5 million, declining 5.7% from the year-ago quarter. AECOM generated a record free cash flow of $511 million in the reported quarter.
Fiscal 2018 Highlights
Revenues came in at $20.2 billion, up 10.7% from fiscal 2017. However, adjusted earnings decreased to $2.68 per share from $2.94 in fiscal 2017.
The company’s gross margin declined 60 basis points (bps) to 3.2%. Adjusted EBITDA of $836.5 million declined from the prior-year figure of $880.7 million.
Fiscal 2019 Guidance
AECOM has initiated its fiscal 2019 guidance, with adjusted EBITDA in the range of $920-$960 million. Adjusted EPS is expected within $2.60-$2.90 per share.
In terms of spending, the company’s adjusted interest expenses (excluding amortization of deferred financing fees) is expected to be nearly $200 million and capital expenditure is projected at about $120 million for fiscal 2019. Free cash flow is likely to be in the $600-$800 million range. However, AECOM is expected to incur $80-$90 million of restructuring costs in fiscal 2019, majority of which is likely to be incurred in the first six months of fiscal 2019.
The company is confident about its General and Administrative (G&A) reduction program, which is expected to generate $140 million of annual cost savings every year till fiscal 2021.
Strategic Actions
In order to improve profitability and de-risk its business profile, AECOM has initiated a $225 million G&A reduction plan. The action is anticipated to benefit its DCS segment, with fiscal 2019 adjusted operating margin expectation of more than 7%, reflecting 110 bps growth year over year.
The company is likely to exit more than 30 countries, in order to prioritize investments in markets with higher growth prospects and competitive advantages. Also, it has entered into a joint venture with Canyon Partners for ACAP, which will support AECOM’s overhead costs.
Moreover, its adjusted EBITDA expectation reflects 12% mid-point growth from the prior-year figure, supported by strong payback on the above-mentioned initiatives.
Additionally, its $1 billion share repurchase program, of which $850 million is remaining, is expected to result in strong fiscal 2019 performance and shareholder value creation.
Jacobs’ earnings per share are expected to increase 35.2% in 2018.
KBR is expected to record an EPS growth rate of 9.8% next year.
EMCOR has an expected earnings growth rate of 20% for the current year.
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AECOM (ACM) Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates, Up Y/Y
AECOM (ACM - Free Report) reported fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 results, wherein earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Adjusted earnings of 83 cents per share surpassed the consensus mark of 81 cents by 2.5%. Also, the reported figure increased 12% on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues of $5,306 million surpassed the consensus estimate of $5,264 million by 0.8%. The figure also increased 9% on a year-over-year basis. Growth across the segments drove the top line. Moreover, AECOM achieved 9% organic growth in the quarter, which marked the eight-consecutive quarter of positive organic growth owing to higher-margin Americas design and MS business.
AECOM Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
AECOM Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | AECOM Quote
Segment Details
Design & Consulting Services (DCS) revenues rose 8.8% year over year to $2,171.3 million. On a constant-currency basis, organic revenues increased 11%, backed by strong performance in the company’s transportation and water markets in the Americas. This impressive performance can be attributed to improved funding and a strong backlog position. Adjusted operating income of $133.1 million grew 14.4% year over year.
Construction Services (CS) revenues were up 7.5% to $2,118.3 million on a year-over-year basis. On a constant-currency basis, organic revenues rose 5%. The solid performance of this segment was driven by Building Construction businesses (which registered double-digit growth). Adjusted operating income in the segment was down 6.6% from a year ago to $45.6 million.
Management Services (MS) revenues registered a year-over-year increase of 14% to $1,016.2 million. Also, on an organic basis, revenues recorded growth of the same percentage, reflecting stellar performance across its portfolio of projects and about 120% backlog improvement from the beginning of fiscal 2017. Adjusted operating income declined 2.6% from a year ago to $59.8 million in the reported quarter.
In the AECOM Capital (ACAP), which develops real estate, public private partnership (P3) and infrastructure projects, operating income of $13.1 million grew from the prior-year figure of $7.2 million.
Operating Highlights
AECOM’s gross margin was in line with the prior-year figure of 3.5%. Adjusted operating income in the quarter under review amounted to $217.9 million, up 9% from the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 4% year over year to $233.4 million.
At the end of the fiscal fourth quarter, the company’s total backlog of $54.1 billion was up 14%, reflecting a favorable mix shift to higher-margin DCS and MS segments.
New order wins for the full year were recorded at $28.4 billion, up 23% from the prior-year quarter. The company’s total book-to-burn ratio was 1.3, with higher contribution from all the segments and a significant 2.5 book-to-burn ratio in the MS segment.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
As of Sep 30, 2018, AECOM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $886.7 million compared with $802.4 million on Sep 30, 2017.
As of Sep 30, 2018, total debt (excluding unamortized debt issuance cost) came in at $3,673.5 million, declining 5.7% from the year-ago quarter. AECOM generated a record free cash flow of $511 million in the reported quarter.
Fiscal 2018 Highlights
Revenues came in at $20.2 billion, up 10.7% from fiscal 2017. However, adjusted earnings decreased to $2.68 per share from $2.94 in fiscal 2017.
The company’s gross margin declined 60 basis points (bps) to 3.2%. Adjusted EBITDA of $836.5 million declined from the prior-year figure of $880.7 million.
Fiscal 2019 Guidance
AECOM has initiated its fiscal 2019 guidance, with adjusted EBITDA in the range of $920-$960 million. Adjusted EPS is expected within $2.60-$2.90 per share.
In terms of spending, the company’s adjusted interest expenses (excluding amortization of deferred financing fees) is expected to be nearly $200 million and capital expenditure is projected at about $120 million for fiscal 2019. Free cash flow is likely to be in the $600-$800 million range. However, AECOM is expected to incur $80-$90 million of restructuring costs in fiscal 2019, majority of which is likely to be incurred in the first six months of fiscal 2019.
The company is confident about its General and Administrative (G&A) reduction program, which is expected to generate $140 million of annual cost savings every year till fiscal 2021.
Strategic Actions
In order to improve profitability and de-risk its business profile, AECOM has initiated a $225 million G&A reduction plan. The action is anticipated to benefit its DCS segment, with fiscal 2019 adjusted operating margin expectation of more than 7%, reflecting 110 bps growth year over year.
The company is likely to exit more than 30 countries, in order to prioritize investments in markets with higher growth prospects and competitive advantages. Also, it has entered into a joint venture with Canyon Partners for ACAP, which will support AECOM’s overhead costs.
Moreover, its adjusted EBITDA expectation reflects 12% mid-point growth from the prior-year figure, supported by strong payback on the above-mentioned initiatives.
Additionally, its $1 billion share repurchase program, of which $850 million is remaining, is expected to result in strong fiscal 2019 performance and shareholder value creation.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Currently, AECOM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the Zacks Construction sector are Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. , KBR, Inc. (KBR - Free Report) and EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Jacobs’ earnings per share are expected to increase 35.2% in 2018.
KBR is expected to record an EPS growth rate of 9.8% next year.
EMCOR has an expected earnings growth rate of 20% for the current year.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>