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Arcosa, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 lowered, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA grew five percent with margin expansion: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations grew 5% to $145.9 million with margin expanding 60 basis points to 22.1%. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 5% to $1.13. For six months, adjusted EBITDA grew 7% to $248.8 million with margins up 70 basis points to 20.2%. Source
  • Aggregates unit profit grew five percent: Aggregates adjusted cash gross profit per ton increased 5% to $8.64 despite 2% lower volumes from Texas rainfall. Margin expanded 190 basis points to 48.1% through 3% cost reduction despite higher energy costs. Source
  • Utility structures revenue surged twelve percent: Utility and related structures revenues increased 12% driven by higher volumes and pricing, while wind tower revenues declined 19% as planned. Segment revenue increased 3% to $301.7 million. Source
  • Record utility structures backlog hit 648 million: Record utility structures backlog reached $648.1 million at quarter-end, up 49% from start of year, reflecting strong customer demand for grid modernization and expansion. Source
  • Working capital surge pressured cash flow: Operating cash flow turned negative $24.7 million versus positive $38.0 million in Q2 2025, primarily from $55.5 million increase in working capital use driven by higher engineered structures receivables. Source
  • Barge business sold for 450 million: Completed April 1, 2026 sale of barge business for $450 million generating $429.9 million net proceeds after transaction costs. Pre-tax gain of $359.7 million recognized in discontinued operations. Source
  • CRH merger agreement signed at 150 per share: June 22, 2026 merger agreement with CRH for all-cash acquisition at $150 per share. Transaction expected to close first quarter 2027 subject to stockholder approval and regulatory clearance. Source

“Our second quarter results reflect solid operational execution by our teams, driving 5 percent Adjusted EBITDA growth and 60 basis points of margin expansion. Robust double-digit Adjusted EBITDA expansion in utility structures more than offset planned lower volumes in wind towers and heavy rainfall that impacted our construction materials businesses, particularly across our Texas operations.”

Antonio Carrillo, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Utility structures backlog recognition Source202671%Lowered from 73%
Wind towers backlog recognition Source202628%Lowered from 36%
Wind towers backlog recognition Source202766%Raised from 59%
CRH merger price and timing Sourcefirst quarter of 2027$150 per shareNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance withdrawn: Due to pending CRH merger, company suspended its practice of providing financial guidance after having raised full-year 2026 continuing operations guidance in Q1 2026. Source
  • New: On June 22, 2026, Arcosa entered into merger agreement with CRH for 100 percent acquisition at $150 per share in all-cash transaction expected to close first quarter 2027. Source
  • Ended: Completed April 1, 2026 sale of barge business for $450 million, with net cash proceeds of $429.9 million after transaction costs and pre-tax gain of $359.7 million. Source

Second Quarter Results

  • Adjusted EBITDA grew five percent with margin expansion: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations grew 5% to $145.9 million with margin expanding 60 basis points to 22.1%. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 5% to $1.13. For six months, adjusted EBITDA grew 7% to $248.8 million with margins up 70 basis points to 20.2%. Source
  • Revenues increased two percent to 658.7 million: Revenues increased 2% to $658.7 million from $647.5 million in Q2 2025, with engineered structures growth partially offset by construction products challenges. Source
  • Interest expense decreased 5.4 million: Interest expense declined $5.4 million to $23.1 million primarily from reduction in outstanding debt year-over-year, reflecting deleveraging progress. Source

Construction Products Segment

  • Aggregates unit profit grew five percent: Aggregates adjusted cash gross profit per ton increased 5% to $8.64 despite 2% lower volumes from Texas rainfall. Margin expanded 190 basis points to 48.1% through 3% cost reduction despite higher energy costs. Source
  • Organic aggregates volumes declined mid-single digits: Aggregates freight-adjusted revenues decreased slightly on 2% lower volume. Organic aggregates volumes declined mid-single digits primarily due to increased rainfall in Texas. Source
  • Construction Products EBITDA roughly flat overall: Adjusted segment EBITDA of $100.2 million was roughly flat as improved aggregates profitability and higher trench shoring contribution offset lower asphalt volumes and unfavorable project mix. Source

“Our aggregates business continued to improve unit profitability, which grew 5 percent, through disciplined cost management despite disruptive weather and higher energy costs year-over-year.”

Antonio Carrillo, President and Chief Executive Officer

Engineered Structures Strength

  • Utility structures revenue surged twelve percent: Utility and related structures revenues increased 12% driven by higher volumes and pricing, while wind tower revenues declined 19% as planned. Segment revenue increased 3% to $301.7 million. Source
  • Utility structures margin expanded 180 basis points: Adjusted segment EBITDA increased 13% to $61.4 million with margin expanding 180 basis points to 20.4%, driven by utility structures growth more than compensating for lower wind tower volumes. Source
  • Record utility structures backlog hit 648 million: Record utility structures backlog reached $648.1 million at quarter-end, up 49% from start of year, reflecting strong customer demand for grid modernization and expansion. Source

Order Book and Demand

  • Strong grid modernization demand evident in backlog: Order activity for utility structures remains strong as customers focus on improving and expanding the electrical grid. Record backlog provides visibility into high-margin business growth. Source
  • Wind tower backlog stable at 537 million: Wind tower backlog stood at $537.4 million with 28% expected to be recognized in 2026 and 66% in 2027, reflecting multi-year project scheduling. Source

“We continue to work toward completing this value-creating combination while staying focused on delivering on our business priorities for the benefit of our customers and stockholders.”

Antonio Carrillo, President and Chief Executive Officer

Working Capital and Capital Investment

  • Working capital surge pressured cash flow: Operating cash flow turned negative $24.7 million versus positive $38.0 million in Q2 2025, primarily from $55.5 million increase in working capital use driven by higher engineered structures receivables. Source
  • Capital expenditure increased 31.8 million: Capital expenditures for continuing operations increased $31.8 million to $58.8 million, reflecting increased investment in core growth platforms in aggregates and engineered structures. Source
  • Free cash flow declined to negative 51 million: Free cash flow from continuing operations declined to negative $51.0 million from positive $16.8 million in Q2 2025, reflecting working capital timing and elevated capex investment. Source

Debt Reduction and Liquidity

  • Debt prepayment of 83 million from barge sale: Company applied $83.0 million of barge sale proceeds to prepay term loan, reducing leverage. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA improved to 1.9x on trailing twelve-month basis. Source
  • Cash position strengthened to 432 million: Cash and cash equivalents increased to $432.1 million from $214.6 million at year-end 2025, primarily from barge sale proceeds. Company maintained full $700 million revolving credit availability. Source

Portfolio Transformation

  • Barge business sold for 450 million: Completed April 1, 2026 sale of barge business for $450 million generating $429.9 million net proceeds after transaction costs. Pre-tax gain of $359.7 million recognized in discontinued operations. Source
  • CRH merger agreement signed at 150 per share: June 22, 2026 merger agreement with CRH for all-cash acquisition at $150 per share. Transaction expected to close first quarter 2027 subject to stockholder approval and regulatory clearance. Source
  • Financial guidance suspended pending merger: Company not hosting quarterly call and suspending practice of providing financial guidance due to pending CRH merger, after having raised full-year 2026 guidance in Q1. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Special stockholder meeting scheduled September 4: Special meeting of stockholders to vote on CRH merger scheduled for September 4, 2026. Proxy statement filed August 3, 2026 and mailed to stockholders August 4, 2026. Source
  • CRH merger closing expected first quarter 2027: Transaction expected to close first quarter 2027 subject to customary closing conditions including stockholder approval and required regulatory clearances. Source
  • Utility backlog 71 percent expected in 2026: Management expects to recognize 71 percent of record utility structures backlog of $648.1 million during 2026 with remainder in 2027. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Heavy rainfall in Texas during Q2 pressured aggregates volumes and impacted construction materials business, with weather continuing as ongoing operational risk. Source
  • Demand: Wind tower revenues declined 19% in Q2 as planned due to lower customer volumes, with future demand dependent on customer project timing and scheduling. Source
  • Regulatory: CRH transaction subject to customary closing conditions, stockholder approval, and required regulatory approvals. Failure to complete would impact strategy. Source
  • External: Higher energy costs in Q2 year-over-year pressured aggregates business, though partially offset by unit cost reductions and disciplined execution. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Q1 guidance was 73% recognition in 2026. Q2 updated to 71%, slightly lower but substantial portion planned for 2026 execution from record backlog. Source
  • On track: Aggregates unit profitability grew 5% and margin expanded 190 basis points despite higher energy costs and weather, demonstrating execution against cost management commitment. Source
  • On track: Q2 capex increased $31.8 million to $58.8 million for core platform growth in aggregates and engineered structures. Source
  • On track: Used $83 million of barge sale proceeds to prepay term loan. Net debt to EBITDA improved to 1.9x trailing twelve months. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.