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Primoris Services Corp.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 lowered, 1 narrowed, 1 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell 10.4% on Energy: Revenue was $2.0 billion, down 10.4% from the third quarter of 2025, mainly on lower Energy renewables revenue; Utilities growth partly offset the decline. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down 20.3%: Adjusted EBITDA was $134.4 million, down 20.3% from $168.7 million; adjusted diluted EPS was $1.20, against $1.88 a year earlier. Source
  • Energy revenue fell 17.6%: Energy revenue fell $261.9 million, or 17.6%, to $1,223.8 million, as renewables activity slowed; the May 1, 2026 PayneCrest acquisition partly offset the decline. Source
  • Gross margin slipped to 10.5%: Gross profit was 10.5% of revenue, against 10.8%, mainly on lower Energy margins. Energy gross margin fell to 8.5% from 10.1%, which the company linked to completing challenged renewables projects. Source
  • Last of six projects nearing completion: Management said the last of six previously discussed challenged renewables projects is moving closer to completion and expects these impacts to end soon. Source
  • Record backlog reached $14.1 billion: Total backlog was $14.1 billion at September 30, including $8.5 billion of MSA backlog; the increase from year end came mainly from Utilities MSA and Energy fixed backlog including PayneCrest. Source
  • Return to growth targeted for 2027: Management said the company is well positioned to return to profitable growth and expand margins, citing record backlog and improved execution. Source

“As the last of our six previously discussed challenged projects moves closer to completion, we are increasingly confident that these impacts are soon to be behind us”

Koti Vadlamudi, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income SourceFull year 2026$65.2 million to $73.2 millionLowered from $71.0 million to $101.0 million
Diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$1.20 to $1.35Lowered from $1.30 to $1.85
Adjusted EPS SourceFull year 2026$2.10 to $2.25 per diluted shareNarrowed from $2.05 to $2.60 per diluted share
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$290.0 million to $310.0 million
SG&A as percentage of revenue SourceFull year 2026low 6.0% rangeKept
Utilities gross margin SourceFull year 202610.0% to 12.0%Kept
Energy gross margin SourceFull year 20266.0% to 8.0%Kept
Effective tax rate SourceFull year 2026approximately 33.0%Raised from 30% to 32.0%
Interest expense, net SourceFull year 2026$43 million to $47 millionKept
Capital expenditures SourceRemaining three months of 2026$30.0 million to $40.0 million
Share purchase authorization SourceProgram authorized October 30, 2026up to $250.0 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Net income guidance was updated to $65.2 million to $73.2 million, from $71.0 million to $101.0 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Diluted EPS guidance was updated to $1.20 to $1.35, from $1.30 to $1.85 in the prior release. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted EPS guidance was updated to $2.10 to $2.25, from $2.05 to $2.60 in the prior release. Source
  • New: The Board authorized a new share purchase program of up to $250.0 million. Source
  • Ended: The legacy $150.0 million share purchase program was fully used by September 30, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue fell 10.4% on Energy: Revenue was $2.0 billion, down 10.4% from the third quarter of 2025, mainly on lower Energy renewables revenue; Utilities growth partly offset the decline. Source
  • Net income and EPS declined: Net income was $51.3 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, against $94.6 million, or $1.73, a year earlier, mainly on lower operating income and higher interest expense. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA down 20.3%: Adjusted EBITDA was $134.4 million, down 20.3% from $168.7 million; adjusted diluted EPS was $1.20, against $1.88 a year earlier. Source
  • Operating income fell 30.7%: Operating income was $94.9 million, down $42.1 million, or 30.7%, on lower Energy revenue and margin, partly offset by higher Utilities margin. Source

Segments and regions

  • Utilities revenue and profit rose: Utilities revenue rose $33.4 million, or 4.5%, and operating income rose $15.0 million, or 27.2%, to $70.1 million; gross margin was 13.0% against 11.7%. Source
  • Energy revenue fell 17.6%: Energy revenue fell $261.9 million, or 17.6%, to $1,223.8 million, as renewables activity slowed; the May 1, 2026 PayneCrest acquisition partly offset the decline. Source
  • Energy operating income down 53%: Energy operating income was $51.0 million, down $57.6 million, or 53.0%; Energy gross margin was 8.5%, against 10.1% a year earlier. Source

“we believe the foundation is in place for a return to growth in 2027.”

Koti Vadlamudi, President and Chief Executive Officer

Margins, costs and tax

  • Gross margin slipped to 10.5%: Gross profit was 10.5% of revenue, against 10.8%, mainly on lower Energy margins. Energy gross margin fell to 8.5% from 10.1%, which the company linked to completing challenged renewables projects. Source
  • SG&A rose to 5.6% of revenue: SG&A was $109.0 million, or 5.6% of revenue against 4.5%, driven by lower revenue and added SG&A from the PayneCrest acquisition. Source
  • Nine-month tax rate was 30.3%: The effective tax rate for the nine months was 30.3%, against the 21.0% federal statutory rate, mainly due to state income taxes and nondeductible per diem expenses. Source

Renewables project completion

  • Last of six projects nearing completion: Management said the last of six previously discussed challenged renewables projects is moving closer to completion and expects these impacts to end soon. Source
  • Earlier cost overruns and drivers: The Q2 release tied the six-project cost overruns to redesign, changed sequencing, labor productivity, sub-surface issues and unfavorable weather.

“We remain confident in the long-term fundamentals of the renewables market and Primoris’ position as a leading provider of utility-scale solar and battery storage solutions.”

Koti Vadlamudi, President and Chief Executive Officer

Backlog and demand

  • Record backlog reached $14.1 billion: Total backlog was $14.1 billion at September 30, including $8.5 billion of MSA backlog; the increase from year end came mainly from Utilities MSA and Energy fixed backlog including PayneCrest. Source
  • Energy infrastructure demand robust: Management said demand for reliable and affordable energy infrastructure remains robust. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Unrestricted cash fell to $203.5 million: Unrestricted cash was $203.5 million at September 30, 2026, against $535.5 million at December 31, 2025, after $150.0 million of nine-month stock purchases. Source
  • Nine-month operating cash flow $8.9 million: Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.9 million for the nine months, against $327.5 million a year earlier, with receivables and payables changes weighing on it. Source
  • Quarterly capex of $42.1 million: Capital expenditures were $42.1 million in the quarter, including $30.5 million for construction equipment, and $92.4 million for the nine months. Source
  • $100 million of shares bought: The company bought 1,330,627 shares for $100.0 million in the quarter, at a weighted average $75.15 per share; the legacy $150.0 million program is fully used. Source

2027 direction and strategy

  • Return to growth targeted for 2027: Management said the company is well positioned to return to profitable growth and expand margins, citing record backlog and improved execution. Source
  • Renewables fundamentals still held: Management said it remains confident in the long-term fundamentals of the renewables market and in Primoris’ position in utility-scale solar and battery storage. Source
  • Execution and demand cited for 2027: Management cited improved project execution and sustained demand for power generation and utility infrastructure services as support for 2027. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 November 2026

  • Dividend payable January 15, 2027: The $0.08 per share dividend declared October 30 is payable on approximately January 15, 2027, to holders of record on December 31, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total backlog Source$14.1 billion
MSA backlog Source$8.5 billion

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Energy gross margin was pressured by the lagging effect of completing renewables projects that had operational challenges. Source
  • Operational: Lower-than-anticipated 2026 volumes raised relative carrying costs for equipment and personnel. Source
  • Financial: Net interest expense rose $7.3 million to $14.3 million, on higher average debt and securitization balances, partly offset by lower rates. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release expected second-half 2026 revenue growth and margin improvement; the third-quarter release does not state whether this was achieved.
  • Not stated: The Q2 release set a schedule of two projects complete in Q2, three in Q3 and one in Q4; the Q3 release does not state progress against that schedule.

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.