AECOM Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations with Raised Guidance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 09 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ACM?
Source: seekingalpha
- Earnings Beat: AECOM reported a Q1 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.29, exceeding expectations by $0.13, reflecting strong performance in the design business and boosting market confidence.
- Revenue Performance: The company generated $3.83 billion in revenue, a 4.5% year-over-year decline, yet still beat expectations by $300 million, indicating AECOM's robust market adaptability despite challenges.
- Guidance Upgrade: AECOM raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to between $5.85 and $6.05, driven by successful capital allocation strategies and a record backlog, enhancing visibility for future performance.
- Cash Flow and Tax Rate Adjustments: The company anticipates approximately $400 million in free cash flow and an adjusted effective tax rate of 20% to 22%, down from the previous 22% to 23%, which will further enhance profitability.
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Analyst Views on ACM
Wall Street analysts forecast ACM stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 91.230
Low
100.00
Averages
133.78
High
152.00
Current: 91.230
Low
100.00
Averages
133.78
High
152.00
About ACM
AECOM is a global provider of professional infrastructure consulting and advisory services for governments, businesses and organizations throughout the world. It provides advisory, planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design, construction and program management services, and investment and development services to public and private clients worldwide in major end markets, such as transportation, facilities, water, environmental, and energy. Its Americas segment provides planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design, construction management and program management services to public and private clients in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Its International segment provides planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design services and program management to public and private clients in Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia-Australia-Pacific regions. Its ACAP segment primarily invests in and develops real estate projects.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strong Performance: AECOM (ACM) reported Q1 revenue of $3.83 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $3.53 billion, with adjusted earnings of $1.29 per share exceeding the forecast of $1.16, indicating robust performance in the infrastructure services sector.
- Net Income Decline: Despite the revenue beat, net income fell to $140 million, or $1.06 per share, reflecting lower pass-through revenue impacts, yet the company maintained strong growth in net service revenue, which increased by 5% on an adjusted basis.
- Record Backlog: AECOM's total backlog reached $26 billion, a 9% increase year-over-year, marking a record high for the company, and the book-to-burn ratio of 1.5x indicates sustained strong market demand, with 21 consecutive quarters above 1.0.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: The company returned over $340 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends during the quarter, and the board approved an increase in share repurchase authorization to $1 billion, reflecting confidence in future cash flows and shareholder value.
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- Earnings Beat: AECOM reported a Q1 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.29, exceeding expectations by $0.13, reflecting strong performance in the design business and boosting market confidence.
- Revenue Performance: The company generated $3.83 billion in revenue, a 4.5% year-over-year decline, yet still beat expectations by $300 million, indicating AECOM's robust market adaptability despite challenges.
- Guidance Upgrade: AECOM raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to between $5.85 and $6.05, driven by successful capital allocation strategies and a record backlog, enhancing visibility for future performance.
- Cash Flow and Tax Rate Adjustments: The company anticipates approximately $400 million in free cash flow and an adjusted effective tax rate of 20% to 22%, down from the previous 22% to 23%, which will further enhance profitability.
See More
- Strong Performance: AECOM reported Q1 revenue of $3.831 billion, a 5% year-over-year decline, yet net service revenue increased by 5%, indicating robust performance in the design business that is expected to drive future growth.
- Increased Buyback Authorization: The Board approved an increase in share repurchase authorization to $1 billion, having returned over $340 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in the last quarter, reflecting confidence in future cash flows.
- Record Backlog: Total backlog reached a record high of $25.962 billion, up 9% year-over-year, with a 1.5 book-to-burn ratio highlighting the company's competitive edge in large infrastructure projects, signaling stable revenue growth ahead.
- Strategic Business Review: AECOM completed a strategic review of its Construction Management business, deciding to retain and operate it, which underscores the company's confidence in its future potential and secures its leadership position in the market.
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