Second Half Guidance
Q: How confident are you in the second-half revenue ramp?
A: Management is confident in their revenue expectations for both the electric and renewables segments, citing strong utility customer capital spending and big programs that will start ramping in the back half of the year. They feel good about where their customers are headed and continue to enter contracts and build projects without concerns.

Regulatory Environment Impact
Q: How do regulatory constraints affect your business?
A: While acknowledging that energy affordability is a political concern, management emphasizes that the demand for grid upgrades remains strong. They believe that once political uncertainties subside, the country can move towards necessary transitions, and load growth will continue regardless of the regulatory environment.

Canadian Receivables and Leverage
Q: What's the status of Canadian receivables and deleveraging?
A: They are confident about collecting the Canadian receivables in the second half or shortly thereafter. They expect to be under 2x leverage by year-end, even if the collection is delayed.

M&A vs. Organic Growth
Q: Will growth rely more on M&A than organic growth?
A: Management believes they can continue to grow organically, citing mid-double-digit EPS growth at the midpoint of guidance. They have a prudent M&A strategy, focusing on solutions and deploying free cash effectively, and will pursue acquisitions that make sense.

Organic Outlook Movers
Q: What's stronger or weaker in your organic outlook?
A: The portfolio is performing as expected, with some segments exceeding expectations. Shifts in utility capital spending between gas and electric affect segments differently, but their diversified portfolio allows them to adapt.

Renewables Margins and Projects
Q: How did troubled projects affect renewables margins?
A: There was a $20 million drag from one project in Q2, similar to the $22 million impact in Q1. Despite this, the renewables segment performed very well, overcoming challenges, and they expect margins to improve as these projects are completed.

Transmission vs. Distribution Spending
Q: Will distribution spend ramp up in the second half?
A: They are up 9% for the year in transmission and distribution and haven't seen much of a drag. They can shift resources between segments and see strengthening in the back half, with factors like EV penetration driving distribution spending.

Impact of Trade and Election Uncertainty
Q: Is customer pullback affecting renewables due to uncertainties?
A: They are not seeing any impact from trade or election uncertainties. Technology demand drives renewable generation, backstopping these concerns, and they remain agnostic to political parties in power.

Communications Business Outlook
Q: What's the outlook for the communications segment?
A: The communications business is stable, and while growth hasn't come from this segment yet, they are ready to support clients as opportunities arise. They invest prudently and can scale the business without significant impact.

Key Growth Drivers
Q: Which tailwinds will impact your business most?
A: Technology-driven load growth is the primary driver, with customer capital budgets rising. Investments in AI and infrastructure necessitate builds to support generation, and technology acts as a backstop for growth.

Data Center Opportunities
Q: How will data center focus scale in the next 5 years?
A: They see growth opportunities with Cupertino Electric, especially in renewables like batteries and solar. Addressing limitations in resources and capacity, they expect to improve both top and bottom lines through synergies.

Canadian Business Outlook
Q: How is your Canadian business performing?
A: The macro market is improving, and they expect better performance in the second half and into 2025. They anticipate margins in Canada to improve incrementally, reaching parity with the rest of the segment.

Shifts in CapEx Allocation
Q: Will less capital flow to distribution CapEx?
A: Movements are regional, and they can adjust resources as needed. They are not concerned about electric distribution and can provide flexibility to clients as capital shifts between gas and electric.

Backlog and Contracting
Q: Has the lull in contracting ended?
A: They observe continued capital budget maintenance and growth due to increasing load. While there are movements across segments, they believe transmission is crucial, with demand outpacing supply, necessitating infrastructure builds.

TS Conductor Investment
Q: What is the rationale for investing in TS Conductor?
A: They made a small investment to align with technology beneficial for reconductoring projects. They like the technology, have experience with it, and wanted to be part of the solution alongside their customers.

Service Offering Expansion
Q: Are you selling a broader portfolio of services now?
A: They are more solution-based, offering comprehensive services to clients who want to accelerate to market. Focusing on removing bottlenecks, they provide value through speed and efficiency.

Industrial Business Performance
Q: How is Stronghold performing amid industrial weakness?
A: The industrial business is performing well and setting records. While there were shifts in project timing, they remain conservative in guidance and like the business's growth.