FC
FLUOR CORP (FLR)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 headline results were weak on core operations with revenue $3.978B (down 6% y/y) and adjusted EPS $0.43 (down 49% y/y), driven by infrastructure cost growth and arbitration in Mexico; GAAP EPS was $14.81 on a $3.2B pre‑tax NuScale mark‑to‑market gain .
- The company cut FY2025 guidance: adjusted EBITDA to $475–$525M (from $575–$675M) and adjusted EPS to $1.95–$2.15 (from $2.25–$2.75); revenue growth outlook to ~5–10% (from ~15% in Q1), and operating cash flow to $200–$250M (from $450–$500M) .
- Infrastructure issues (three projects; $54M net impact) and an unexpected $31M arbitration ruling at the Mexico JV pressured segment profit; new awards slowed to $1.8B while backlog remained large at $28.2B (80% reimbursable) .
- Positive catalyst: LNG Canada shipped first cargo; JV reached a settlement covering COVID claims; JV awarded FEED update for Phase 2, which could potentially double facility size .
- Stock reaction: shares fell ~27% to $41.42 by Aug 5 following the cut to guidance and disclosure of project issues, spurring law‑firm investigations .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- LNG Canada milestone and de‑risking: “first shipment of LNG” and settlement reached for COVID claims and other matters; Phase 2 FEED award positions Fluor for follow‑on scope .
- Strong reimbursable profile and backlog durability: backlog $28.2B, 80% reimbursable; Urban backlog up 5% y/y to $20.6B (73% of total) .
- Capital returns and liquidity: $153M buybacks in Q2; cash and marketable securities of ~$2.3B at quarter‑end .
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What Went Wrong
- Infrastructure execution headwinds: $54M net impact across three projects due to subcontractor design errors, schedule impacts, and price escalation; Urban Solutions profit fell to $29M from $105M y/y .
- Mexico JV adverse ruling and slowdown: unexpected $31M arbitration hit in Energy Solutions; curtailing work pending client payments, pressuring PGM and interest income .
- Macro/awards softness: client hesitation amid tariff/trade uncertainty and cost escalation slowed new awards to $1.8B; management reduced FY revenue growth and OCF outlook .
Financial Results
Consolidated Results – Actuals (oldest → newest)
Notes: Q4 2024 OCF not disclosed in the quarter; full‑year 2024 OCF was $828M .
Q2 2025 vs Prior Year and vs Estimates
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment Breakdown – Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024
Q2 2025 Key KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO on LNG Canada and settlement: “We achieved RFSU on Train 1… the client shipped the first cargo of LNG… our joint venture has recently reached a settlement agreement covering our COVID claims and other matters.”
- CEO on infrastructure issues: “Results reflect a $54 million net impact of cost growth and expected recoveries on three infrastructure projects, due to subcontractor design errors, the related schedule impacts, and price escalation.”
- CFO on guidance reset: “We are revising our 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $475 million to $525 million and our adjusted EPS guidance to $1.95 to $2.15… big factors are market hesitancy, infrastructure, and the slowdown in Mexico.”
- CFO on buybacks: “We bought 4 million shares in the second quarter, spending $153 million… expect total repurchases to be between $450 to $500 million versus the $600 million… communicated after quarter one.”
- CEO on trade policy: “Trade policy… is having a significant impact on client sentiment… clients need… stability and certainty… we hope that it does in the near future.”
Q&A Highlights
- Bookings/awards cadence and tariffs: Management emphasized tariff uncertainty as a key reason for client hesitancy; expects acceleration when policy clarity improves; still pursuing mining, advanced manufacturing, data centers, power and DOE work .
- NuScale monetization mechanics: 15M share conversion to Class A this month; tax gain largely shielded by tax credits; pivoting to a market‑facing monetization path rather than a strategic block sale at current screen prices .
- LNG Canada Phase 2 risk profile: Expect lump‑sum elements but with improved contractual allocation based on Phase 1 learnings and design replication (~80%); confident in better contract/execution model if project proceeds .
- CFM/PGM accounting: Q2 saw ~$13M deferral of PGM due to CFM and backlog adjustments on reimbursable work; mirror image of Q1 benefit on different projects; profit recognized later as materials land .
- Infrastructure recoveries: Current results include probable recoveries; management sees possible recoveries “substantially larger” and will pursue equitable outcomes .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025: Adjusted EPS $0.43 vs consensus $0.560*; Revenue $3.978B vs consensus $4.549B* — both misses. Q1 2025: Adjusted EPS $0.73 vs $0.500*; Revenue $3.982B vs $4.177B* (EPS beat; revenue miss). Q3 2025 consensus ahead of print then showed EPS $0.68 actual vs $0.450* estimate and revenue $3.368B actual vs $4.197B* (contextual reference). Values retrieved from S&P Global.
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Core earnings pressure is transitory but real: infrastructure charges ($54M), Mexico arbitration ($31M), and slower awards cut FY EBITDA/EPS/OCF guidance; near‑term estimate risk remains on execution and awards timing .
- LNG Canada de‑risked with first cargo and COVID settlement; Phase 2 FEED award adds medium‑term optionality; watch for Train 2 completion and any contract details on Phase 2 .
- Backlog quality still solid (80% reimbursable), but conversion pacing hinges on tariff/trade clarity; monitor policy signals and client FIDs across mining, data centers, and power .
- Urban margin reset to 2.5%–3.5% embeds infra headwinds; potential upside from recoveries could support H2 and 2026 margin normalization if achieved .
- Capital returns persist albeit slower ($450–$500M buybacks vs $600M prior) and NuScale monetization shift to public markets could unlock cash/tax benefits over time .
- Trading lens: The August drawdown (~27%) reflects guidance cuts and execution noise; catalysts ahead include infra project milestones, LNGC Train 2, awards in data centers/mining/power, and NuScale monetization steps .
Appendix: Additional Data Points
- Q2 cash/marketable securities ~$2.3B; quarter OCF ($21)M vs $282M y/y on working capital increases, infra funding, AR timing .
- Backlog composition Q2: Urban $20.576B; Energy $5.583B; Mission $2.046B; 42% outside U.S.; 80% reimbursable .
- Segment context: Energy profit impacted by 2021 Mexico JV arbitration; Mission impacted by temporary stop work order in Pacific .
Citations: All data and quotations are sourced from Fluor’s Q2 2025 8‑K press release and reconciliation tables , Q2 2025 earnings call transcript , Q1 2025 8‑K and call , and Q4 2024 8‑K and call . Stock reaction references from contemporaneous press releases by law firms .