Sterling Infrastructure (NASDAQ:STRL) Reaches New 1-Year High on Earnings Beat

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $477.03 and last traded at $444.7110, with a volume of 154909 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $455.25.

The construction company reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.63 by $0.45. The firm had revenue of $755.61 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $639.41 million. Sterling Infrastructure had a return on equity of 29.81% and a net margin of 14.14%.Sterling Infrastructure has set its FY 2026 guidance at 13.450-14.050 EPS.

Sterling Infrastructure announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, November 12th that permits the company to repurchase $400.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the construction company to repurchase up to 3.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Sterling Infrastructure News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Sterling Infrastructure this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings beat and strong FY2026 guidance — topline and EPS materially exceeded estimates, management raised full‑year targets, and the company provided a large signed backlog that supports 2026 growth. Sterling Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results and Issues Full Year 2026 Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade reflecting the beat and guidance — at least one outlet upgraded Sterling to a Buy and highlighted the company as an AI/data‑center beneficiary, increasing investor optimism about further upside. Sterling Infrastructure Q4 Earnings: The AI Data Center Powerhouse Explodes (Upgrade)
• Positive Sentiment: Sidoti raised and published FY2027 and quarterly EPS forecasts (FY2027 to $14.70 and detailed quarter-by-quarter EPS), signaling sell‑side confidence in sustained high margins and data‑center demand. (Sidoti research note)
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader analyst commentary and comparisons — coverage pieces and sector comparisons (e.g., vs. Granite) provide context for investors weighing STRL in the infrastructure/utility cycle; useful for positioning but not immediate catalysts. Wall Street Bulls Look Optimistic About Sterling Infrastructure (STRL): Should You Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: Upcoming earnings/coverage previews and market writeups summarize expectations heading into the next reporting cycle; these are informational and may shape short‑term flows. A Look at Sterling Infrastructure’s Upcoming Earnings Report
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and volatility risk — STRL carries a rich trailing P/E (~46) and a beta above 1, so upside from strong results is balanced by a higher multiple and greater sensitivity to market swings; investors should weigh multiple expansion risk if future results disappoint.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

STRL has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Sterling Infrastructure in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $413.00 price target for the company. DA Davidson lifted their target price on shares of Sterling Infrastructure from $355.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $486.00 price target on Sterling Infrastructure and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Weiss Ratings raised Sterling Infrastructure from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Sterling Infrastructure from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $453.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Dwayne Andree Wilson sold 2,860 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.00, for a total transaction of $1,001,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 14,749 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,162,150. This trade represents a 16.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Dana C. O’brien sold 2,000 shares of Sterling Infrastructure stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total value of $820,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 11,498 shares in the company, valued at $4,714,180. This trade represents a 14.82% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,860 shares of company stock worth $2,611,000. Corporate insiders own 3.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Sterling Infrastructure

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Sterling Infrastructure in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sterling Infrastructure in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Sterling Infrastructure in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its position in shares of Sterling Infrastructure by 76.1% during the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 81 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in Sterling Infrastructure by 119.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 125 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. 80.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sterling Infrastructure Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $12.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.51. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $360.87 and a 200-day moving average of $342.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00.

About Sterling Infrastructure

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc (NASDAQ: STRL) is a diversified manufacturer and distributor of essential infrastructure products serving municipal, utility and industrial customers across North America. Through its network of wholly owned subsidiaries, the company designs, engineers and produces a wide range of cast and fabricated solutions tailored to the needs of the waterworks, natural gas, telecommunications, electric, traffic safety and parks & recreation markets.

The company’s product portfolio encompasses ductile iron and composite fittings, valve boxes, manhole frames and covers, water and gas meter sets, street light poles and mounting accessories, traffic sign posts with breakaway systems, bollards and related system components.