← Aecom Technology overview

Aecom Technology vs MasTec: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Aecom Technology Corporation (ACM)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

AECOM's old-project charge crushes profit and cash outlook

  • Surprise loss on 2019 contract AECOM took a $337 million pre-tax charge on a construction-management job signed in 2019, turning a expected profit into a quarterly loss and cutting full-year earnings guidance. This is the main reason the stock fell to a 52-week low, because investors now doubt how well the company controls project risk.

    It is the single biggest new event driving the stock down and resetting expectations.

  • Free cash flow guidance cut Management cut this year's free cash flow target to $300 million from $400 million and warned of about $500 million in cash pressure into early fiscal 2027. Less cash coming in means less money for buybacks, dividends or debt reduction, which weighs on the shares.

    It explains the cash strain behind the selloff, not just the accounting loss.

  • Record backlog shows demand intact Even with the loss, AECOM's backlog rose 13% to a record $27.8 billion, with a book-to-burn ratio of 1.6, meaning it won far more work than it billed. Strong demand from U.S. infrastructure and data-center projects is a real counterweight to the bad news.

    It is the main positive force keeping the long-term story alive despite the charge.

  • AI and UK framework expand opportunity AECOM is winning work by using AI tools on big projects and expanded its role on a $4.7 billion UK government framework into defense, nuclear and flood-risk work. These add to its addressable market and support future growth, though they are smaller than the charge's hit.

    It shows the growth drivers that could offset the project loss over time.

July 2026
▲2▼2

AECOM's old-project charge crushes profit and cash outlook

  • Surprise loss on 2019 contract AECOM took a $337 million pre-tax charge on a construction-management job signed in 2019, turning a expected profit into a quarterly loss and cutting full-year earnings guidance. This is the main reason the stock fell to a 52-week low, because investors now doubt how well the company controls project risk.

    It is the single biggest new event driving the stock down and resetting expectations.

  • Free cash flow guidance cut Management cut this year's free cash flow target to $300 million from $400 million and warned of about $500 million in cash pressure into early fiscal 2027. Less cash coming in means less money for buybacks, dividends or debt reduction, which weighs on the shares.

    It explains the cash strain behind the selloff, not just the accounting loss.

  • Record backlog shows demand intact Even with the loss, AECOM's backlog rose 13% to a record $27.8 billion, with a book-to-burn ratio of 1.6, meaning it won far more work than it billed. Strong demand from U.S. infrastructure and data-center projects is a real counterweight to the bad news.

    It is the main positive force keeping the long-term story alive despite the charge.

  • AI and UK framework expand opportunity AECOM is winning work by using AI tools on big projects and expanded its role on a $4.7 billion UK government framework into defense, nuclear and flood-risk work. These add to its addressable market and support future growth, though they are smaller than the charge's hit.

    It shows the growth drivers that could offset the project loss over time.

Latest
▲2▼2

AECOM's old-project charge crushes profit and cash outlook

  • Surprise loss on 2019 contract AECOM took a $337 million pre-tax charge on a construction-management job signed in 2019, turning a expected profit into a quarterly loss and cutting full-year earnings guidance. This is the main reason the stock fell to a 52-week low, because investors now doubt how well the company controls project risk.

    It is the single biggest new event driving the stock down and resetting expectations.

  • Free cash flow guidance cut Management cut this year's free cash flow target to $300 million from $400 million and warned of about $500 million in cash pressure into early fiscal 2027. Less cash coming in means less money for buybacks, dividends or debt reduction, which weighs on the shares.

    It explains the cash strain behind the selloff, not just the accounting loss.

  • Record backlog shows demand intact Even with the loss, AECOM's backlog rose 13% to a record $27.8 billion, with a book-to-burn ratio of 1.6, meaning it won far more work than it billed. Strong demand from U.S. infrastructure and data-center projects is a real counterweight to the bad news.

    It is the main positive force keeping the long-term story alive despite the charge.

  • AI and UK framework expand opportunity AECOM is winning work by using AI tools on big projects and expanded its role on a $4.7 billion UK government framework into defense, nuclear and flood-risk work. These add to its addressable market and support future growth, though they are smaller than the charge's hit.

    It shows the growth drivers that could offset the project loss over time.

MasTec Inc (MTZ)

Q3 2026
▲3▼1

MasTec's record backlog and data-center demand offset weak guidance

  • Q2 earnings miss and soft guidance MasTec's Q2 revenue beat but adjusted EPS of $2.22 missed by a cent, and full-year guidance midpoint of $9.30 came in below analyst projections. The stock fell 17.7% as investors focused on the weaker outlook rather than the sales growth.

    This is the main negative force this period, explaining the sharp sell-off and near-term pressure on MTZ shares.

  • Record $21.4B backlog boosts visibility MasTec ended Q2 with a record $21.4 billion backlog, up 30% year over year, with strong growth in Power Delivery, Clean Energy, and Pipeline. This large pipeline of future work gives investors confidence in long-term revenue and supports the stock.

    It shows the underlying demand strength that counters the weak guidance and is a key reason analysts remain positive.

  • Analyst fair value raised on Superior Group deal A fair value estimate rose from about $349 to $427 after updated guidance and the Superior Group acquisition, which adds power delivery and data-center exposure. Several analysts raised targets, though some cut targets on execution risk and Communications weakness.

    It reflects the market's reassessment of MTZ's value after the acquisition and guidance, a major driver of price direction.

  • Data-center and industrial demand tailwinds Citi sees accelerating U.S. industrial growth and strong data-center investment, naming MasTec as a long-term opportunity. This macro trend boosts demand for MasTec's infrastructure services, supporting future revenue and profits.

    It highlights the broader demand environment that underpins MasTec's growth story and investor optimism.

August 2026
▲3▼1

MasTec's record backlog and data-center demand offset weak guidance

  • Q2 earnings miss and soft guidance MasTec's Q2 revenue beat but adjusted EPS of $2.22 missed by a cent, and full-year guidance midpoint of $9.30 came in below analyst projections. The stock fell 17.7% as investors focused on the weaker outlook rather than the sales growth.

    This is the main negative force this period, explaining the sharp sell-off and near-term pressure on MTZ shares.

  • Record $21.4B backlog boosts visibility MasTec ended Q2 with a record $21.4 billion backlog, up 30% year over year, with strong growth in Power Delivery, Clean Energy, and Pipeline. This large pipeline of future work gives investors confidence in long-term revenue and supports the stock.

    It shows the underlying demand strength that counters the weak guidance and is a key reason analysts remain positive.

  • Analyst fair value raised on Superior Group deal A fair value estimate rose from about $349 to $427 after updated guidance and the Superior Group acquisition, which adds power delivery and data-center exposure. Several analysts raised targets, though some cut targets on execution risk and Communications weakness.

    It reflects the market's reassessment of MTZ's value after the acquisition and guidance, a major driver of price direction.

  • Data-center and industrial demand tailwinds Citi sees accelerating U.S. industrial growth and strong data-center investment, naming MasTec as a long-term opportunity. This macro trend boosts demand for MasTec's infrastructure services, supporting future revenue and profits.

    It highlights the broader demand environment that underpins MasTec's growth story and investor optimism.

Latest
▲3▼1

MasTec's record backlog and data-center demand offset weak guidance

  • Q2 earnings miss and soft guidance MasTec's Q2 revenue beat but adjusted EPS of $2.22 missed by a cent, and full-year guidance midpoint of $9.30 came in below analyst projections. The stock fell 17.7% as investors focused on the weaker outlook rather than the sales growth.

    This is the main negative force this period, explaining the sharp sell-off and near-term pressure on MTZ shares.

  • Record $21.4B backlog boosts visibility MasTec ended Q2 with a record $21.4 billion backlog, up 30% year over year, with strong growth in Power Delivery, Clean Energy, and Pipeline. This large pipeline of future work gives investors confidence in long-term revenue and supports the stock.

    It shows the underlying demand strength that counters the weak guidance and is a key reason analysts remain positive.

  • Analyst fair value raised on Superior Group deal A fair value estimate rose from about $349 to $427 after updated guidance and the Superior Group acquisition, which adds power delivery and data-center exposure. Several analysts raised targets, though some cut targets on execution risk and Communications weakness.

    It reflects the market's reassessment of MTZ's value after the acquisition and guidance, a major driver of price direction.

  • Data-center and industrial demand tailwinds Citi sees accelerating U.S. industrial growth and strong data-center investment, naming MasTec as a long-term opportunity. This macro trend boosts demand for MasTec's infrastructure services, supporting future revenue and profits.

    It highlights the broader demand environment that underpins MasTec's growth story and investor optimism.

Q2 2026
▲3

MasTec raises outlook, buys Superior to expand data center work

  • Record backlog and raised 2026 guidance MasTec raised its 2026 revenue and profit outlook after reporting a record $20.3 billion backlog, up 28% from a year ago. Strong demand for power grid upgrades and data center connections is driving the business, which supports a higher stock price.

    This is the core fundamental driver behind the stock's move and the basis for the bullish outlook.

  • Acquisition of The Superior Group for $1.65 billion MasTec agreed to buy electrical contractor The Superior Group for about $1.65 billion in cash and stock. The deal adds data center electrical work and is expected to immediately boost revenue, profit, and cash flow, pushing the stock up.

    This is a major new event that expands MasTec's data center capabilities and is expected to be immediately accretive.

  • Analyst reaffirms Buy and highlights AI infrastructure demand Baird reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $473 price target, and Zacks named MasTec a top heavy construction pick, citing AI and data center investments. These endorsements boost investor confidence and can lift the stock.

    Analyst and industry recognition reinforce the positive demand narrative and influence investor sentiment.

  • Premium valuation and mixed peer results MasTec trades at a high forward P/E of 35.6, above peers, reflecting strong growth but also raising the risk of a pullback. In Q1, revenue beat estimates but guidance was the weakest among peers, and shares fell 3.5% at the time.

    This provides a balanced view, noting the premium valuation and relative guidance weakness as a counterweight.

June 2026
▲3

MasTec raises outlook, buys Superior to expand data center work

  • Record backlog and raised 2026 guidance MasTec raised its 2026 revenue and profit outlook after reporting a record $20.3 billion backlog, up 28% from a year ago. Strong demand for power grid upgrades and data center connections is driving the business, which supports a higher stock price.

    This is the core fundamental driver behind the stock's move and the basis for the bullish outlook.

  • Acquisition of The Superior Group for $1.65 billion MasTec agreed to buy electrical contractor The Superior Group for about $1.65 billion in cash and stock. The deal adds data center electrical work and is expected to immediately boost revenue, profit, and cash flow, pushing the stock up.

    This is a major new event that expands MasTec's data center capabilities and is expected to be immediately accretive.

  • Analyst reaffirms Buy and highlights AI infrastructure demand Baird reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $473 price target, and Zacks named MasTec a top heavy construction pick, citing AI and data center investments. These endorsements boost investor confidence and can lift the stock.

    Analyst and industry recognition reinforce the positive demand narrative and influence investor sentiment.

  • Premium valuation and mixed peer results MasTec trades at a high forward P/E of 35.6, above peers, reflecting strong growth but also raising the risk of a pullback. In Q1, revenue beat estimates but guidance was the weakest among peers, and shares fell 3.5% at the time.

    This provides a balanced view, noting the premium valuation and relative guidance weakness as a counterweight.

▲3

MasTec raises outlook, buys Superior to expand data center work

  • Record backlog and raised 2026 guidance MasTec raised its 2026 revenue and profit outlook after reporting a record $20.3 billion backlog, up 28% from a year ago. Strong demand for power grid upgrades and data center connections is driving the business, which supports a higher stock price.

    This is the core fundamental driver behind the stock's move and the basis for the bullish outlook.

  • Acquisition of The Superior Group for $1.65 billion MasTec agreed to buy electrical contractor The Superior Group for about $1.65 billion in cash and stock. The deal adds data center electrical work and is expected to immediately boost revenue, profit, and cash flow, pushing the stock up.

    This is a major new event that expands MasTec's data center capabilities and is expected to be immediately accretive.

  • Analyst reaffirms Buy and highlights AI infrastructure demand Baird reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $473 price target, and Zacks named MasTec a top heavy construction pick, citing AI and data center investments. These endorsements boost investor confidence and can lift the stock.

    Analyst and industry recognition reinforce the positive demand narrative and influence investor sentiment.

  • Premium valuation and mixed peer results MasTec trades at a high forward P/E of 35.6, above peers, reflecting strong growth but also raising the risk of a pullback. In Q1, revenue beat estimates but guidance was the weakest among peers, and shares fell 3.5% at the time.

    This provides a balanced view, noting the premium valuation and relative guidance weakness as a counterweight.

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