Willdan Group (NASDAQ:WLDN) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Willdan Group

Willdan Group Inc is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry, and public agencies at all levels of government. It operates in the business segments of Energy and Engineering and Consulting. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Energy segment, which includes services such as audit and surveys, program design, master planning, benchmarking analysis, design engineering, construction management, performance contracting, installation, advances in software and data analytics, and other services. All of its revenue is derived from the domestic markets.

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WLDN

When it comes to short-term investing or trading, they say &#34;the trend is your friend.&#34; And there&#39;s no denying that this is the most profitable strategy. But making sure of the sustainability of a trend to profit from it is easier said than done.

Willdan is on the Move, Here&#39;s Why the Trend Could be Sustainable

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U.S. stock markets suffered a bloody blow in the first week of August. Wall Street&#39;s turmoil was triggered by weak labor market data, which heightened concerns of a near-term recession. The massive unwinding of Yen-carry trade due to an unexpected rate hike by the Bank of Japan aggravated the situation.

5 Stocks With Recent Price Strength in an Uncertain Market

Most of us have heard the dictum &#34;the trend is your friend.&#34; And this is undeniably the key to success when it comes to short-term investing or trading. But it isn&#39;t easy to ensure the sustainability of a trend and profit from it.

Recent Price Trend in Willdan is Your Friend, Here&#39;s Why

Willdan Group Inc

Wedbush analyst Jay McCanless assumes Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) with a Outperform rating and announces Price Target of $51.

Price Target

Initiation

Wedbush Assumes Willdan Group at Outperform, Announces Price Target of $51

When it comes to short-term investing or trading, they say &quot;the trend is your friend.&quot; And there&#39;s no denying that this is the most profitable strategy. But making sure of the sustainability of a trend to profit from it is easier said than done.
The trend often reverses before exiting the trade, leading to a short-term capital loss for investors. So, for a profitable trade, one should confirm factors such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, etc. that could keep the momentum in the stock alive.
Investors looking to make a profit from stocks that are currently on the move may find our &quot;Recent Price Strength&quot; screen pretty useful. This predefined screen comes handy in spotting stocks that are on an uptrend backed by strength in their fundamentals, and trading in the upper portion of their 52-week high-low range, which is usually an indicator of bullishness.
<h2>Willdan Group</h2>
(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wldn#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) is one of the several suitable candidates that passed through the screen. Here are the key reasons why it could be a profitable bet for &quot;trend&quot; investors.
A solid price increase over a period of 12 weeks reflects investors&#39; continued willingness to pay more for the potential upside in a stock. WLDN is quite a good fit in this regard, gaining 24.4% over this period.
However, it&#39;s not enough to look at the price change for around three months, as it doesn&#39;t reflect any trend reversal that might have happened in a shorter time frame. It&#39;s important for a potential winner to maintain the price trend. A price increase of 17.7% over the past four weeks ensures that the trend is still in place for the stock of this energy efficiency and sustainability consultant.
Moreover, WLDN is currently trading at 92.7% of its 52-week High-Low Range, hinting that it can be on the verge of a breakout.
Looking at the fundamentals, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than the 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises -- the key factors that impact a stock&#39;s near-term price movements.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
Another factor that confirms the company&#39;s fundamental strength is its Average Broker Recommendation of #1 (Strong Buy). This indicates that the brokerage community is highly optimistic about the stock&#39;s near-term price performance.
So, the price trend in WLDN may not reverse anytime soon.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2328079/willdan-wldn-is-on-the-move-here-s-why-the-trend-could-be-sustainable?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|recent_price_strength_screen-2328079">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Willdan is on the Move, Here's Why the Trend Could be Sustainable

U.S. stock markets suffered a bloody blow in the first week of August. Wall Street&#39;s turmoil was triggered by weak labor market data, which heightened concerns of a near-term recession. The massive unwinding of Yen-carry trade due to an unexpected rate hike by the Bank of Japan aggravated the situation.
However, U.S. stock markets recovered their lost ground to a great extent within the next 3-4 trading sessions as more released data showed that the fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain firm. Market participants started to buy on the dip.
Consequently, a few stocks have shown price strength. We have primarily targeted stocks that have recently been on a bull run. Such stocks have a high chance of carrying the momentum forward.
If a stock is continuously witnessing an uptrend, there must be a solid reason or it would have probably crashed. So, looking at stocks capable of beating the benchmark that they have set for themselves seems rational.
However, recent price strength alone cannot create magic. Therefore, other relevant parameters are needed to create a successful investment strategy.
Here&#39;s how you should create the screen to shortlist the current as well as the potential winners.
<h2>Screening Parameters:</h2>
Percentage Change in Price (4 Weeks) greater than zero: This criterion shows that the stock has moved higher in the last four weeks.
Percentage Change Price (12 Weeks) greater than 10: This indicates that the stock has seen momentum over the last three months. This lowers the risk of choosing stocks that may have drawn attention due to the overwhelming performance of the overall market in a very short period.
Zacks Rank 1: No matter whether market conditions are good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have a proven history of outperformance.
Average Broker Rating 1: This indicates that brokers are also highly hopeful about the stock&#39;s future performance.
Current Price greater than 5: The stocks must all be trading at a minimum of $5.
Current Price/ 52-Week High-Low Range more than 85%: This criterion filters stocks that are trading near their respective 52-week highs. It indicates that these are strong enough in terms of price.
Just these few criteria narrowed down the search from over 7,700 stocks to seven.
Let&#39;s discuss five out of these seven stocks:
Climb Global Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/clmb#NASDAQ">CLMB</a>) operates as a value-added information technology distribution and solutions company in the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and internationally. CLMB operates in two segments, Distribution and Solutions. CLMB markets its products through its own web sites, local and on-line seminars, events, webinars, and social media, as well as direct email and printed materials.
CLMB distributes technical software to corporate and value-added resellers, consultants, and systems integrators under the name Climb Channel Solutions, and provides cloud solutions and resells software, hardware, and services under the name Grey Matter.
The stock price of Climb Global Solutions has soared 55.2% in the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of 7.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 0.001% over the last 60 days.
EZCORP Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ezpw#NASDAQ">EZPW</a>) is engaged in establishing, acquiring, and operating pawnshops that function as convenient sources of consumer credit and value-oriented specialty retailers of primarily previously owned merchandise. Through its lending function, EZPW makes relatively small, non-recourse loans secured by pledges of tangible personal property. EZPW contracts for a pawn service charge to compensate it for each pawn loan.
The stock price of EZCORP has climbed 15.3% in the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 22.8% for the current year (ending September 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.2% over the last 30 days.
Willdan Group Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wldn#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry and public agencies at all levels of government. WLDN enables its clients to realize cost and energy savings by providing a wide range of specialized services.&nbsp;
WLDN assists its clients with a broad range of complementary services relating to: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Engineering and Planning, Economic and Financial Consulting, and National Preparedness and Interoperability.
The stock price of Willdan Group has surged 12.1% in the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 5.9% over the last 30 days.
Northwest Pipe Co. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nwpx#NASDAQ">NWPX</a>) manufactures welded steel pipe in two business segments. In Water Transmission business, NWPX is a supplier of large diameter, high-pressure steel pipe used primarily for water transmission. In Tubular Products business, NWPX manufacture smaller diameter, electric resistance welded steel pipe for use in a wide range of construction, agricultural, energy and industrial applications.
The stock price of Northwest Pipe has appreciated 10.4% in the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 41.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 20.3% over the last 30 days.
Interface Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tile#NASDAQ">TILE</a>) designs, produces, and sells modular carpet products primarily worldwide. TILE operates in two segments, Americas, and Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. TILE offers modular carpets under the Interface and FLOR brand names, luxury vinyl tiles, carpet tiles under the CQuestGB name for use in commercial interiors, include offices, healthcare facilities, airports, educational and other institutions, hospitality spaces, and retail facilities, as well as residential interiors; and modular resilient flooring products.&nbsp;
TILE also provides carpet replacement, installation, and maintenance services; and rubber flooring under the norament and noraplan brand names, as well as produces and sells an adapted version of its carpet tile for the healthcare facilities market.
The stock price of Interface has advanced 10.1% in the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 28% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 8.5% over the last 30 days.
Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2322398/5-stocks-with-recent-price-strength-in-an-uncertain-market?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rw-2322398">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Most of us have heard the dictum &quot;the trend is your friend.&quot; And this is undeniably the key to success when it comes to short-term investing or trading. But it isn&#39;t easy to ensure the sustainability of a trend and profit from it.
Often, the direction of a stock&#39;s price movement reverses quickly after taking a position in it, making investors incur a short-term capital loss. So, it&#39;s important to ensure that there are enough factors -- such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, etc. -- that could keep the momentum in the stock going.
Our &quot;Recent Price Strength&quot; screen, which is created on a unique short-term trading strategy, could be pretty useful in this regard. This predefined screen makes it really easy to shortlist the stocks that have enough fundamental strength to maintain their recent uptrend. Also, the screen passes only the stocks that are trading in the upper portion of their 52-week high-low range, which is usually an indicator of bullishness.
<h2>Willdan Group</h2>
Willdan Group (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wldn#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) is one of the several suitable candidates that passed through the screen. Here are the key reasons why it could be a profitable bet for &quot;trend&quot; investors.
A solid price increase over a period of 12 weeks reflects investors&#39; continued willingness to pay more for the potential upside in a stock. WLDN is quite a good fit in this regard, gaining 12.7% over this period.
However, it&#39;s not enough to look at the price change for around three months, as it doesn&#39;t reflect any trend reversal that might have happened in a shorter time frame. It&#39;s important for a potential winner to maintain the price trend. A price increase of 10.1% over the past four weeks ensures that the trend is still in place for the stock of this energy efficiency and sustainability consultant.
Moreover, WLDN is currently trading at 88.6% of its 52-week High-Low Range, hinting that it can be on the verge of a breakout.
Looking at the fundamentals, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than the 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises -- the key factors that impact a stock&#39;s near-term price movements.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
Another factor that confirms the company&#39;s fundamental strength is its Average Broker Recommendation of #1 (Strong Buy). This indicates that the brokerage community is highly optimistic about the stock&#39;s near-term price performance.
So, the price trend in WLDN may not reverse anytime soon.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2320496/recent-price-trend-in-willdan-wldn-is-your-friend-here-s-why?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|recent_price_strength_screen-2320496">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Recent Price Trend in Willdan is Your Friend, Here's Why

Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) announced today that Clark County School District – the fifth largest school district in the United States – has selected Willdan for a $102 million contract to deliver energy-saving projects across 204 schools. The retrofits and upgrades will save the District an estimated $170 million in lifetime energy savings and an estimated $700,000 in annual operations and maintenance costs.
This contract marks the second phase of projects that Willdan will implement for the District, encompassing approximately double the square footage and energy savings, compared to the first phase. Willdan has engaged more than 200 local subcontractors to deliver this contract, with about 30% certified as Minority- or Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Willdan helped the District secure more than $6 million in external funding, including $3 million in federal tax benefits.

Contracts

Willdan Selected For $102M To Deliver Energy-Saving Projects Across 204 Schools, For Nation's 5th Largest School District

Roth MKM analyst Craig Irwin maintains Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $34 to $47.

Roth MKM Maintains Buy on Willdan Group, Raises Price Target to $47

U.S. stocks were lower, with the Dow Jones index falling over 900 points on Friday.
Shares of MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>) rose sharply during Friday's session after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly financial results.
Mercado Libre reported net revenue of $5.07 billion in the second quarter, up 42% year-over-year. The revenue beat a Street consensus estimate of $4.68 billion, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
The company reported a 36% year-over-year increase in total payment volume for the second quarter and a 20% year-over-year rise in gross merchandise volume. Earnings per share were $10.48 in the second quarter, beating a Street consensus estimate of $8.43.
MercadoLibre shares jumped 9.6% to $1,760.79 on Friday.
Here are some other big stocks recording gains in today's session.
<ul>
<li>Fitell Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTEL#NASDAQ">FTEL</a>) gained 26% to $24.50.</li>
<li>Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TNDM#NASDAQ">TNDM</a>) shares surged 23.6% to $43.52 in pre-market trading following better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and strong guidance.</li>
<li>Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CERS#NASDAQ">CERS</a>) gained 23% to $2.5200  after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter EPS results and raised its FY24 product revenue guidance above estimates..</li>
<li>Integral Ad Science Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IAS#NASDAQ">IAS</a>) shares gained 14.9% to $11.38 after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly financial results and issued FY24 revenue guidance above estimates.</li>
<li>Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) climbed 10.1% to $36.52 after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results.</li>
<li>Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDP#NYSE">FDP</a>) gained 8.6% to $26.73 following better-than-expected earnings.</li>
<li>ICF International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICFI#NASDAQ">ICFI</a>) rose 8.3% to $158.06 following upbeat quarterly results.</li>
<li>EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EZPW#NASDAQ">EZPW</a>) jumped 8.2% to $11.35.</li>
<li>Standard BioTools Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LAB#NYSE">LAB</a>) gained 7.7% to $1.530.</li>
<li>Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BFAM#NYSE">BFAM</a>) gained 7.5% to $127.32 following strong quarterly results.</li>
<li>DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DASH#NASDAQ">DASH</a>) rose 6.7% to $115.52 as the company posted upbeat earnings.</li>
<li>GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDDY#NYSE">GDDY</a>) jumped 5.8% to $149.66 after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter sales results..</li>
<li>The Clorox Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLX#NYSE">CLX</a>) gained 4.3% to $139.94 after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter adjusted EPS results and issued FY24 adjusted EPS guidance above estimates.</li>
</ul>
Now Read This: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40131885/dow-dips-over-400-points-apple-posts-upbeat-earnings">Dow Dips Over 400 Points; Apple Posts Upbeat Earnings</a></li>
</ul>

Intraday Update

Movers

BFAM

CERS

DASH

FTEL

GDDY

ICFI

MELI

TNDM

MercadoLibre Posts Upbeat Results, Joins Integral Ad Science, Willdan Group, Fresh Del Monte Produce And Other Big Stocks Moving Higher On Friday

WIIM

Willdan Group shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 financial results.

Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.55 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.29 by 89.66 percent. This is a 111.54 percent increase over earnings of $0.26 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $72.451 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $63.705 million by 13.73 percent. This is a 16.98 percent increase over sales of $61.935 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Willdan Group Q2 2024 Adj. EPS $0.55 Beats $0.29 Estimate, Sales $72.451M Beat $63.705M Estimate

Exceeding 4.1M kWh Annual Savings And Reducing Peak Load By 475 kW; Secures $1.7M In Incentives For Early Replacement Of Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems; Project Completed Without Data Center Downtime

Willdan Group Delivers Energy Efficiency Projects For Pacific Northwest Data Center

Willdan Group, Inc.&#39;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wldn#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) wholly owned subsidiary &mdash; Energy + Environmental Economics (E3) &mdash; is set to develop an Optimized Strategic Plan for sourcing carbon-free electricity in the City of Pasadena.
E3 will work closely with the City of Pasadena&#39;s community-owned utility, Pasadena Water and Power, to explore the options available, including distributed energy resources, renewables, storage, and emerging technologies. This will help WLDN meet the City of Pasadena&#39;s goal to secure 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030 in a reliable and cost-effective manner.
<h3>Price Performance</h3>
WLDN has gained 56.1% so far this year compared with the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry&#39;s 21% rise. The company is benefiting from strength in both government and utility customers, along with strong software sales. The rapid growth in electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers is becoming a new catalyst in this market.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/53/71522.jpg?v=201036500" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the first quarter of 2024, consolidated contract revenues increased 19.4% and net revenues rose 11.7% year over year. A strong backlog and continuing demand across the broad range of services backed the upside.
For 2024, the company anticipates net revenues in the range of $270-$280 million versus $269.7 million reported in 2023. Adjusted earnings per share is expected to be between $1.80-$1.87, and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $48-$50 million. In 2023, the company reported adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA of $1.75 and $45.7 million, respectively.
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company&#39;s 2024 earnings and sales are likely to witness growth of 6.3% and 3.6% year over year, respectively.
<h3>Key Picks</h3>
Fluor Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/flr#NYSE">FLR</a>) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
FLR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 51.3%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FLR&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates growth of 14.3% and 5.5%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pwr#NYSE">PWR</a>) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
PWR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.7%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PWR&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates an improvement of 8.5% and 17.9%, respectively, from a year ago.
Dycom Industries (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dy#NYSE">DY</a>) currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2.
DY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.2%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DY&#39;s fiscal 2025 sales and EPS indicates an improvement of 10.2% and 8.1%, respectively, from a year ago.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2302858/willdan-s-wldn-e3-to-create-a-plan-for-the-city-of-pasadena?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_corporate_actions-2302858">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Willdan's E3 to Create a Plan for the City of Pasadena

&quot;The City of Pasadena&#39;s goal is one of the most ambitious clean energy targets in the state,&quot; said David Reyes, Acting General Manager of Pasadena Water and Power. &quot;As we approach 2030, the urgency of this planning effort is very real for us. E3&#39;s services will help us navigate a path to a carbon-free future that is affordable, equitable, and reliable for our community.&quot;

Reported Earlier, E3, A Willdan Company, To Create Carbon-Free Electricity Roadmap For Pasadena's 2030 Goal

Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pwr#NYSE">PWR</a>) is capitalizing on strong demand for its services, driven by multi-year customer initiatives focused on modernizing and strengthening utility infrastructure, expanding renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure, and shifting toward a low-carbon economy.
Quanta stock has gained 18% so far this year, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry&#39;s 17.2% growth. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is also expected to gain from prudent growth strategies and accretive acquisitions.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/f3/70354.jpg?v=1762561956" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Yet, the cyclical nature of the business, oil &amp; gas volatility and regulatory issues are headwinds.
Nonetheless, the company&#39;s earnings per share estimate for 2024 and 2025 has moved north in the past 60 days to $8.44 and $9.56 per share from $8.42 and $9.52 per share. The estimated figure reflects a growth rate of 17.9% and 13.2% year over year, respectively.
The growth prospect is further solidified with a VGM Score of B, led by a Growth Score of A and a Momentum Score of A. The positive trend signifies bullish analysts&#39; sentiments, robust fundamentals and prospects of an outperformance in the near term.
Let&#39;s take a look at the factors supporting the growth.
High Infrastructural Demand: Quanta is capitalizing on robust infrastructural demand by leading advancements in technology solutions across decarbonization. This includes carbon management, mitigation strategies, compliance consulting, and building essential infrastructure for carbon-neutral energy solutions. Positioned strategically, Quanta is set to harness major industry trends, playing a pivotal role in the energy transition and driving technological innovation forward. Key initiatives such as expanding electric vehicle charging networks and underground electrical installations are gaining momentum, driving Quanta&#39;s impressive growth trajectory.
Strategic Growth Approach: Quanta is executing a comprehensive growth strategy comprised of three key components. Firstly, the company prioritizes delivering projects promptly, surpassing customer expectations. Secondly, it aims to leverage its core business strengths to extend into complementary adjacent service lines. Thirdly, Quanta remains committed to exploring and integrating new service offerings. With its robust engineering and project management capabilities, the company is well-positioned to seize opportunities in a market landscape currently favoring an engineering, procurement, and construction model.
As a result, Quanta envisions delivering a 10% organic adjusted EPS compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and more than 15% adjusted EPS CAGR through 2026.
Solid Backlog Level: The company ended first-quarter 2024 with a total record backlog of $29.9 billion and a 12-month backlog of $16.64 billion. This compares favorably with first-quarter 2023 total backlog of $25.27 billion and a 12-month backlog of $14.63 billion. Quanta&#39;s optimism stems from healthy backlog levels, which are expected to grow further. This demonstrates the strength of its core operations.
<h3>Factors Hindering Growth</h3>
Business Cyclicality: The business exhibits a cyclical nature as the demand for Quanta&#39;s services is subject to fluctuations. Consequently, the company is particularly susceptible to declines in both government and private industrial expenditures. Throughout its history, fluctuations in commodity prices have affected not only the oil and gas sector but also regions where economic stability is significantly tied to commodity prices.
Challenges in Regulation: Quanta navigates a complex regulatory landscape characterized by stringent requirements for project development. Both the company and its clientele encounter obstacles related to product standards, safety protocols, and environmental safeguards.
<h3>Key Picks</h3>
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Construction sector are:
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/strl#NASDAQ">STRL</a>) currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). STRL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.3%, on average. Shares of STRL have gained 32.5% year to date (YTD).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRL&#39;s 2024 EPS indicates growth of 18.6% from the previous year&#39;s reported levels.
Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wldn#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. WLDN delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 88.9%, on average. Shares of WLDN have gained 36.6% YTD.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WLDN&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates growth of 3.6% and 6.3%, respectively, from the previous year&#39;s reported levels.
Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/altr#NASDAQ">ALTR</a>) currently has a Zacks Rank #2. ALTR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 104.5%, on average. Shares of ALTR have gained 16.6% YTD.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALTR&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates growth of 7% and 9.7%, respectively, from the previous year&#39;s reported levels.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2297044/push-for-low-carbon-economy-aids-quanta-pwr-amid-volatility?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2297044">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

ALTR

STRL

Push for Low-Carbon Economy Aids Quanta Amid Volatility

In the preceding three months, 4 analysts have released ratings for Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $33.5, with a high estimate of $35.00 and a low estimate of $30.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $27.33, the current average has increased by 22.58%.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1715014843_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The standing of Willdan Group among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Moshe Katri</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moshe Katri</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Craig Irwin</td>
<td>Roth MKM</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moshe Katri</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Willdan Group. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Willdan Group compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Willdan Group's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Willdan Group's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WLDN/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Willdan Group analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>Discovering Willdan Group: A Closer Look</h2>
Willdan Group Inc is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry, and public agencies at all levels of government. It operates in the business segments of Energy and Engineering and Consulting. It generates the majority of its revenue from the Energy segment, which includes services such as audit and surveys, program design, master planning, benchmarking analysis, design engineering, construction management, performance contracting, installation, advances in software and data analytics, and other services. All of its revenue is derived from the domestic markets.
<h3>Willdan Group's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Willdan Group's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 December, 2023, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 37.46%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Industrials sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Willdan Group's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 5.16% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Willdan Group's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 4.11%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Willdan Group's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 1.97%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: Willdan Group's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.57, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What Analysts Are Saying About Willdan Group Stock

Wedbush analyst Moshe Katri reiterates Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $35 price target.

Reiteration

Wedbush Reiterates Outperform on Willdan Group, Maintains $35 Price Target

Willdan Group shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 2024 adjusted EPS and sales.

Guidance

Willdan Group Reaffirms 2024 Guidance; Sees Adj. EPS $1.80-$1.87, Revenue $270M-$280M

Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.40 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.19 by 110.53 percent. This is a 25 percent increase over earnings of $0.32 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $68.930 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $62.925 million by 9.54 percent. This is a 11.73 percent increase over sales of $61.691 million the same period last year.

Willdan Group Q1 2024 Adj EPS $0.40 Beats $0.19 Estimate, Sales $68.930M Beat $62.925M Estimate

Wedbush analyst Moshe Katri maintains Willdan Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WLDN#NASDAQ">WLDN</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $30 to $35.

Wedbush Maintains Outperform on Willdan Group, Raises Price Target to $35

Conestoga Capital Advisors Q1 2024 Commentary

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Willdan Non-GAAP EPS of $0.55 beats by $0.26, revenue of $141M beats by $21M

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Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

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Willdan helps "transition communities to clean energy and a sustainable future," with offerings spanning electric grid solutions, energy efficiency, and beyond.

Bull of the Day: Willdan Group, Inc.

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Press Releases

Willdan Announces Retirement of Board Member Keith W. Renken

Willdan Awarded $12 Million Contract to Advance the City of Paramount's Climate Action Plan

Willdan Announces Date For First Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call Information

Willdan Group Reports First Quarter Results

Willdan Announces Date For Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call Information

E3, a Willdan Company, to Create a Plan for Pasadena to Source Carbon-Free Electricity

Willdan Improves Reliability and Reduces Energy Load by 475 kW for Northwest Data Center

Willdan Group Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

Willdan Selected for $102 Million Energy Savings Contract for Nation's 5th Largest School District

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