Q4 2025 Granite Construction Inc Earnings Call

February 12, 2026

Speaker #2: This call is being recorded. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question-and-answer period.

Speaker #2: To ask a question, please press star, then one. Please note, we will take one question and one follow-up question from each participant today. It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to Vice President of Investor Relations, Michael Barker.

Speaker #2: Good morning, and thank you for joining us. I'm pleased to be here today with President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle Larkin and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Staci Woolsey.

Mike Barker: Good morning, and thank you for joining us. I'm pleased to be here today with President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle Larkin, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Staci Woolsey. Please note that today's earnings presentation will be available on the Events and Presentations page of our investor relations website. We begin today with a brief discussion regarding forward-looking statements and non-GAAP measures. Some of the discussion today may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the current expectations and best judgment of senior management regarding future events, occurrences, opportunities, targets, growth, demand, strategic plans, circumstances, activities, performance, shareholder value, outcomes, outlook, guidance, objectives, committed and awarded projects or CAP, and results. Actual results could differ materially from statements made today.

Speaker #2: Please note that today's earnings presentation will be available on the Events and Presentations page of our Investor Relations website. We begin today with a brief discussion regarding forward-looking statements and non-GAAP measures.

Speaker #2: Some of the discussion today may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the private securities litigation reform act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the current expectations and best judgment of senior management regarding future events, occurrences, opportunities, targets, growth, demand, strategic plans, circumstances, activities, performance, shareholder value, outcomes, outlook, guidance, objectives, committed and awarded projects or CAP, and results.

Speaker #2: Actual results could differ materially from statements made today. Please refer to Granite's most recent 10-K and 10-Q filings for a more complete description of risk factors that could affect these forward-looking statements.

Mike Barker: Please refer to Granite's most recent 10-K and 10-Q filings for a more complete description of risk factors that could affect these forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. Certain non-GAAP measures may be discussed during today's call and from time to time by the company's executives. These include, but are not limited to, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, and Cash Gross Profit. The required disclosures regarding our non-GAAP measures are included as part of our earnings press releases and in company presentations, which are available on our website, graniteconstruction.com, under Investor Relations. Now, I'd like to turn the call over to Kyle Larkin.

Speaker #2: The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. Certain non-GAAP measures may be discussed during today's call, and from time to time by the company's executives.

Speaker #2: These include but are not limited to adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBIT of margin, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, and cash growth profit. The required disclosures regarding our non-GAAP measures are included as part of our earnings press releases and in company presentations, which are available on our website graniteconstruction.com under Investor Relations.

Speaker #2: Now, I'd like to turn the call over to Kyle Larkin.

Speaker #3: Good morning. Before we turn to the segment discussions, I'd like to discuss the progress we've been making to deliver on our strategic priorities. In 2025, we continue to focus on bidding and building the right projects, investing in our materials business, and expanding our geographic footprint through targeted M&A.

Kyle Larkin: Good morning. Before we turn to the segment discussions, I'd like to discuss the progress we have been making to deliver on our strategic priorities. In 2025, we continued to focus on bidding and building the right projects, investing in our materials business, and expanding our geographic footprint through targeted M&A. Our strategy to drive consistent, predictable financial performance across the company is working. We remain highly selective in the work we pursue, emphasizing best value and high-quality bid build opportunities in our home markets, where we believe we can earn an appropriate return for the risks we assume in constructing these projects. This disciplined approach, combined with a strong funding environment, underpinned our efforts to build a strong project portfolio, even as we grew our CAP to a record $7 billion at year-end 2025, the highest in our history.

Speaker #3: Our strategy to drive consistent, predictable financial performance across the company is working. We remain highly selective in the work we pursue emphasizing best value and high-quality bid-build opportunities in our home markets, where we believe we can earn an appropriate return for the risk we assume in constructing these projects.

Speaker #3: This disciplined approach combined with a strong funding environment underpinned our efforts to build a strong project portfolio even as we grew our CAP to a record $7 billion in a year-end 2025, the highest in our history.

Speaker #3: Since 2020, our teams across the company have focused on pursuing the projects where we can leverage our home market advantages and consistently deliver higher margin work.

Kyle Larkin: Since 2020, our teams across the company have focused on pursuing the projects where we can leverage our home market advantages and consistently deliver higher margin work. This strategy enabled us to drive significant improvement in profitability from 8.8% Construction segment gross profit margin in 2020, to 15.7% in 2025, all while demonstrating the ability to organically grow the top line across our footprint. As I look at the landscape of the construction business entering 2026, I believe there are still significant public and private opportunities to capture work in our home markets, even as we maintain discipline and work to continually drive excellence and execution in the bid room and every day on our job sites. During 2025, we also continued to invest in our materials business, both through acquisitions and CapEx.

Speaker #3: This strategy enabled us to drive significant improvement in profitability from 8.8% construction segment gross profit margin in 2020 to 15.7% in 2025, all by demonstrating the ability to organically grow the top line across our footprint.

Speaker #3: As I look at the landscape of the construction business entering 2026, I believe there are still significant public and private opportunities to capture work in our home markets even as we maintain discipline, and work to continually drive excellence in execution and the bid room and every day on our job sites.

Speaker #3: During 2025, we also continue to invest in our materials business, both through acquisitions and CapEx. We've now completed the second year following our internal reorganization, where we restructured our businesses to place materials leaders over our materials business.

Kyle Larkin: We've now completed the second year following our internal reorganization, where we restructured our businesses to place materials leaders over our materials business. This change has allowed these teams to direct our strategy across the segment as we work to unlock value through market-based pricing and through application of efficiencies across the segment. Over the last several years, we have focused our CapEx spend on the materials segment to improve plant performance, acquire additional aggregate reserves, and expand our footprint. We have improved materials segment cash gross profit from 19% in 2023 to 26% in 2025. The return on our investments has been exceptional.

Speaker #3: This change has allowed these teams to direct our strategy across the segment as we work to unlock value through market-based pricing and through application of efficiencies across the segment.

Speaker #3: Over the last several years, we have focused our CapEx spend on the materials segment to improve plant performance, acquire additional aggregate reserves, and expand our footprint.

Speaker #3: We have improved the Materials segment cash growth profit from 19% in 2023 to 26% in 2025. The return on our investments has been exceptional. The team has many more initiatives in process, including partnering with our construction teams to drive more tons to our plants by leveraging our vertical integration, and we expect to spend another $50 million in strategic CapEx in the Materials business in 2026 to continue the strong momentum we've built.

Kyle Larkin: The team has many more initiatives in process, including partnering with our construction teams to drive more tons through our plants by leveraging our vertical integration, and we expect to spend another $50 million in strategic CapEx in the materials business in 2026 to continue the strong momentum we built. In 2025, we completed three acquisitions, both expanding and strengthening our Southeast platform with the Warren Paving acquisition, and strengthening the home markets in California and Nevada with the acquisitions of Papich Construction and Cinderlite. These margin-accretive acquisitions and strong growing markets are representative of the acquisitions I expect to continue to complete in 2026 and the future. We expect acquisitions will continue to be a major component of our growth that should enhance the performance of the business, the existing home markets, and expand our footprint to new geographies.

Speaker #3: In 2025, we completed three acquisitions, both expanding and strengthening our Southeast platform with the Warren Pagan acquisition, and strengthening the home markets in California and Nevada with the acquisitions of Pappich Construction and Cinderlight.

Speaker #3: These margin and creative acquisitions and strong growing markets are representative of the acquisitions I expect to continue to complete in 2026 in the future.

Speaker #3: We expect acquisitions will continue to be a major component of our growth that should enhance the performance of the business, the existing home markets, and expand our footprint to new geographies.

Speaker #3: We expect to drive further gains and deliver significant shareholder value as we continue to execute on our strategic plan. We continue to build a larger, higher-quality project portfolio even as we invest in and grow our vertically integrated model.

Kyle Larkin: We expect to drive further gains and deliver significant shareholder value as we continue to execute on our strategic plan. We continue to build a larger, higher quality project portfolio, even as we invest in and grow our vertically integrated model. These efforts position Granite for continued organic growth, margin expansion, and strong cash generation. We believe we are on track to achieve our 2027 financial targets, supported by favorable market conditions, robust infrastructure funding, and consistent execution across the business. Turning now to the Construction segment. First, I want to say how excited I am about the performance of our construction teams across the company. Their execution throughout the year was outstanding and a key driver of our strong finish to 2025.

Speaker #3: These efforts position Granite for continued organic growth, margin expansion, and strong cash generation. We believe we are on track to achieve our 2027 financial targets supported by favorable market conditions, robust infrastructure funding, and consistent execution across the business.

Speaker #3: Turning now to the construction segment, first, I want to say how excited I am about the performance of our construction teams across the company.

Speaker #3: Their execution throughout the year was outstanding in a key driver of our strong finish to 2025. We entered the fourth quarter with record CAP, and despite some delays on certain projects and wet weather at the end of the quarter, year-over-year revenue growth accelerated as expected.

Kyle Larkin: We ended Q4 with record CAP, and despite some delays on certain projects, and wet weather at the end of the quarter, year-over-year revenue growth accelerated as expected. We continue to see sustained market strength and a healthy bidding environment across our footprint, with California and Nevada leading the way. With several significant awards in the quarter, CAP increased sequentially by $632 million, ending the year with $7 billion, a new record. In California, the newly proposed California budget for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year represents a significant increase in the key capital outlay projects, and local assistance components of the transportation funding for the original 2025 to 2026 budget, which itself was increased significantly in the latest January forecast update. Stable and protected funding for transportation infrastructure in California continues to grow, despite concerns about overall deficits.

Speaker #3: We continue to see sustained market strength and a healthy bidding environment across our footprint, with California and Nevada leading the way. With several significant awards in the quarter, CAP increased sequentially by $632 million, ending the year with $7 billion, a new record.

Speaker #3: In California, the newly proposed California budget for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year represents a significant increase in the key capital outlay projects and local assistance components of the transportation funding or the original 2025 to 2026 budget, which itself was an increase significantly in the latest January forecast update.

Speaker #3: Stable and protected funding for transportation infrastructure in California continues to grow despite concerns about overall deficits. The strength of state transportation budgets is broad.

Kyle Larkin: The strength of state transportation budgets is broad, and we see many meaningful opportunities across our regions to continue to grow CAP in Q1 of 2026 and throughout the year. Best Value work continues to grow as a percentage of our portfolio, ending the quarter at 48% of CAP. As we discussed in past quarters, Best Value Procurement plays to Granite's home market strengths. These projects tend to be awarded to teams with strong qualifications. The process is designed to promote risk mitigation during design and to reward collaboration, thereby enabling us to better manage construction risk, reduce disputes, and deliver high-quality, complex projects more efficiently. Best Value construction remains a key driver of our sustainable margin expansion strategy.

Speaker #3: And we see many, many opportunities across our regions to continue to grow CAP on the first quarter of 2026 and throughout the year. Best value work continues to grow as the percentage of our portfolio ending the quarter at 48% of CAP.

Speaker #3: As we discussed in past quarters, best value procurement plays the Granite's home market strengths. These projects tend to be awarded to teams with strong qualifications.

Speaker #3: The process is designed to promote risk mitigation during design and to reward collaboration. Thereby enabling us to better manage construction risk, reduce disputes, and deliver high-quality, complex projects more efficiently.

Speaker #3: Best value construction remains a key driver of our sustainable margin expansion strategy. This growth in best value work has been a core contributor to our de-risk project portfolio and has allowed us to achieve consistent predictable increases in our construction margins over the past several years and we expect that trend to continue as more states adopt these procurement methods.

Kyle Larkin: This growth in best value work has been a core contributor to our de-risk project portfolio and has allowed us to achieve consistent, predictable increases in our construction margins over the past several years, and we expect that trend to continue as more states adopt these procurement methods. The high-quality CAP portfolio we have built helped deliver the gross profit margin increase that we expected in 2025. We expect continued gross profit improvement in 2026, consistent with our 2027 financial targets. Overall, performance in this segment has improved meaningfully, and with record level, higher quality CAP and favorable market conditions, we expect continued revenue growth and construction margin expansion in 2026, in line with our long-term financial targets. Moving to the Materials segment. 2025 was a transformational year for our materials business.

Speaker #3: The high-quality CAP portfolio we have built helped deliver the gross profit margin increase that we expected in 2025. We expect continued gross profit improvement in 2026, consistent with our 2027 financial targets.

Speaker #3: Overall, performance in this segment has improved meaningfully, and with record-level, higher-quality CAP and favorable market conditions, we expect continued revenue growth and construction margin expansion in 2026 in line with our long-term financial targets.

Speaker #3: Moving to the materials segment, 2025 was a transformational year for our materials business. We delivered both organic top-line and bottom-line growth, and we significantly expanded our addressable market through acquisitions, most notably through the acquisition of Warren Pagan, which significantly expands our reserves and resources in the Southeast.

Kyle Larkin: We delivered both organic top line and bottom line growth, and we significantly expanded our addressable market through acquisitions, most notably through the acquisition of Warren Paving, which significantly expands our reserves and resources in the Southeast. This was our first full quarter, including Warren Paving, and we see the numerous opportunities as we continue to integrate it into our Southeast platform. We expect to continue growing this platform organically as we work to expand its distribution network, improve logistics efficiency, and leverage Warren's marine and river-based transportation capabilities. The expansion opportunities include potentially adding additional aggregate yards or acquiring strategic assets to enhance both scale and margin profile of the platform....

Speaker #3: This was our first full quarter including Warren Pagan, and we see the numerous opportunities as we continue to integrate it into our Southeast platform.

Speaker #3: We expect to continue growing this platform organically as we work to expand its distribution network, improve logistics efficiency, and leverage Warren's marine and river-based transportation capabilities.

Speaker #3: The expansion opportunities include potentially adding additional aggregate yards or acquiring strategic assets to enhance both the scale and margin profile of the platform. With the addition of Warren, along with the acquisitions of Cinderlite and Pappich Construction, our aggregate reserves and resources increased 34% year-over-year to 2.1 billion tons, more than doubling Granite's reserves in the last five years.

Kyle Larkin: With the addition of Warren, along with the acquisitions of Cinderlite and Papich Construction, our aggregate reserves and resources increased 34% year-over-year to 2.1 billion tons, more than doubling Granite's reserves in the last 5 years. This growth in long life reserves provides a strong foundation for sustained margin expansion in the materials segment. We expect the growth of our materials business to continue throughout 2026 and in the years to follow, supported by strong market conditions, our proven vertically integrated operational model, and our ongoing commitment to disciplined investment. Now I'll turn it over to Staci to review our financial performance for the quarter.

Speaker #3: This growth and long-life reserves provides a strong foundation for sustained margin expansion in the materials segment. We expect the growth of our materials business to continue throughout 2026 and in the years to follow, supported by strong market conditions, our proven vertically integrated operational model, and our ongoing commitment to disciplined investment.

Speaker #3: Now, I'll turn it over to Staci to review our financial performance for the quarter.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Kyle. 2025 was a tremendous year of growth with year-over-year increases in a number of areas. Revenue increased 10% to $4.4 billion, gross profit increased 24% to $711 million, adjusted net income increased 29% to $276 million, adjusted EBITDA increased 31% to $527 million, and operating cash flow increased 3% to $469 million.

Staci Woolsey: Thanks, Kyle. 2025 was a tremendous year of growth, with year-over-year increases in a number of areas. Revenue increased 10% to $4.4 billion. Gross profit increased 24% to $711 million. Adjusted net income increased 29% to $276 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased 31% to $527 million, and operating cash flow increased 3% to $469 million. Our teams have done a great job executing in strong markets and positioning Granite for continued organic growth, margin expansion, and cash generation in 2026 and beyond. Now let's discuss our results for the quarter. In the construction segment, revenue increased $119 million, or 14% year-over-year, to $940 million.

Speaker #1: Our teams have done a great job executing and strong markets and positioning Granite for continued organic growth, margin expansion, and cash generation in 2026 and beyond.

Speaker #1: Now let's discuss our results for the quarter. In the construction segment, revenue increased $119 million or 14% year-over-year to $940 million. Throughout the year, CAP gradually increased and we expected revenue conversion to accelerate in the second half of the year.

Staci Woolsey: Throughout the year, cap gradually increased, and we expected revenue conversion to accelerate in the second half of the year. In the fourth quarter, we saw this dynamic with organic revenue growth of 7% year-over-year as projects ramped up. In addition, our newly acquired companies, Warren Paving and Papich Construction, contributed $59 million in construction segment revenue. The significant increase in revenue drove a $15 million improvement in construction segment gross profit to $143 million, with segment gross profit margin of 15%. The improvement in our portfolio mix continues to translate into higher margins, and we expect further expansion in 2026, consistent with our 2027 financial targets. In the materials segment, revenue increased $69 million year-over-year to $225 million, with gross profit up $2 million to $25 million.

Speaker #1: In the fourth quarter, we saw this dynamic with organic revenue growth of 7% year-over-year as projects ramped up. In addition, our newly acquired companies, Warren Pagan and Pappich Construction, contributed $59 million in construction segment revenue.

Speaker #1: The significant increase in revenue drove a $15 million improvement in construction segment gross profit to $143 million with segment gross profit margin of 15%.

Speaker #1: The improvement in our portfolio mix continues to translate into higher margins, and we expect further expansion in 2026, consistent with our 2027 financial targets.

Speaker #1: In the materials segment, revenue increased $69 million year-over-year to $225 million, with gross profit up $2 million to $25 million. The increase in materials revenue is primarily due to the acquired businesses.

Staci Woolsey: The increase in materials revenue is primarily due to the acquired businesses. Cash gross profit for the quarter increased $10 million year-over-year to $47 million, or 21% of revenue, despite wet weather conditions in certain geographies. For the full year, cash gross profit margin improved 490 basis points year-over-year to 26%. For the year, volumes for both aggregate and asphalt and aggregate cash gross profit per ton increased significantly, primarily due to the addition of Warren Paving in August 2025. Adjusted EBITDA for the full year grew $125 million to $527 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.9%, compared to 10% in 2024.

Speaker #1: Cash gross profit for the quarter increased $10 million year-over-year to $47 million, or 21% of revenue, despite wet weather conditions in certain geographies. For the full year, cash gross profit margin improved 490 basis points year-over-year to $26%.

Speaker #1: For the year, volumes for both aggregate and asphalt and aggregate cash gross profit per ton increased significantly, primarily due to the addition of Warren Pagan in August of 2025.

Speaker #1: Adjusted EBITDA for the full year grew $125 million to $527 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.9%, compared to 10% in 2024. Turning to cash flow, we had another outstanding quarter of cash generation and ended the year with operating cash flow of $469 million, or 10.6% of annual revenue.

Staci Woolsey: Turning to cash flow, we had another outstanding quarter of cash generation and ended the year with operating cash flow of $469 million, or 10.6% of annual revenue. Our disciplined focus on profitability and working capital efficiency is producing consistent, high-quality cash flow that we are reinvesting to drive long-term value. Our 2025 operating cash flow benefited from the collection of a long-outstanding contract retention balance and receipt of payment for several disputed claims in the first half of 2025. Excluding these non-recurring cash collections in 2025, our operating cash flow as a percent of revenue was in line with our original target of 9%. With our expected profitability improvement in 2026 and sustained working capital management, our 2026 target for operating cash flow margin is 10% of revenue.

Speaker #1: Our disciplined focus on profitability and working capital efficiency is producing consistent, high-quality cash flow that we are reinvesting to drive long-term value. Our 2025 operating cash flow benefited from the collection of a long-outstanding contract retention balance and receipt of payment for several disputed claims in the first half of 2025.

Speaker #1: Excluding these non-recurring cash collections in 2025, our operating cash flow as a percent of revenue was in line with our original target of 9%.

Speaker #1: With our expected profitability improvement in 2026 and sustained working capital management, our 2026 target for operating cash flow margin is 10% of revenue. In 2025, we executed on our capital allocation priorities with capex of $138 million, acquisitions of $778 million, and dividends of $23 million.

Staci Woolsey: In 2025, we executed on our capital allocation priorities with CapEx of $138 million, acquisitions of $778 million, and dividends of $23 million. We also repurchased 300,000 shares under our board-approved share repurchase program to offset dilution from our stock-based compensation. We ended the year with $650 million in cash and marketable securities, debt of $1.3 billion, and $583 million in availability under our revolving credit facility. Going into 2026, our cash generation and strong balance sheet position us well to continue investing organically and through acquisitions while maintaining financial flexibility. We have a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities that may either bolt on to an existing home market or further expand our geographic footprint.

Speaker #1: We also repurchased $300,000 shares under our board-approved share repurchase program to offset dilution from our stock-based compensation. We ended the year with $650 million in cash and marketable securities, debt of $1.3 billion, and $583 million in availability under our revolving credit facility.

Speaker #1: Going into 2026, our cash generation and strong balance sheet position us well to continue investing organically and through acquisitions while maintaining financial flexibility. We have a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities that may either bolt on to an existing home market or further expand our geographic footprint.

Speaker #1: While we are selective in our pursuits, we expect to achieve our goal of completing several strategic acquisitions in 2026. Now, let's turn to our 2026 guidance.

Staci Woolsey: While we are selective in our pursuits, we expect to achieve our goal of completing several strategic acquisitions in 2026. Now let's turn to our 2026 guidance. We expect revenue to grow to a range of $4.9 to 5.1 billion. This reflects our record CAP balance and the strong macro environment and places organic growth at the high end of our 2027 target CAGR of 6% to 8%. This range includes a full year of the acquisitions completed in 2025. As we grow, driving efficiency to manage SG&A continues to be a top priority. We expect our SG&A to be in a range of 8.5% to 9% of revenue, inclusive of an estimated $48 million in stock-based compensation expense. We expect our adjusted EBITDA margin to be in the range of 12% to 13% of revenue.

Speaker #1: We expect revenue to grow to a range of $4.9 to $5.1 billion. This reflects our record cap balance and the strong macro environment and places organic growth at the high end of our 2027 target CAGR of 6 to 8 percent.

Speaker #1: This range includes a full year of the acquisitions completed in 2025. As we grow, driving efficiency to manage SG&A continues to be a top priority.

Speaker #1: We expect our SG&A to be in a range of 8.5 and 9 percent of revenue, inclusive of an estimated $48 million in stock-based compensation expense.

Speaker #1: We expect our adjusted EBITDA margin to be in the range of 12 to 13 percent of revenue. With our high-quality CAP portfolio, strong market, and high-performing materials business, we expect continued adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in line with our 2027 financial target of $12.5 to $14.5 percent of revenue.

Staci Woolsey: With our high-quality CAP portfolio, strong market, and high-performing materials business, we expect continued Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in line with our 2027 financial target of 12.5 to 14.5% of revenue. Finally, we expect to invest in our business through CapEx in the range of $140 to 160 million. Similar to 2025, this range contemplates approximately $50 million in strategic materials investments to expand reserves, as well as investments in additional automation projects as we work to grow the materials business. Now I'll turn it back over to Kyle.

Speaker #1: Finally, we expect to invest in our business through capex in the range of $140 to $160 million. Similar to 2025, this range contemplates approximately $50 million in strategic materials investments to expand reserves as well as investments in additional automation projects as we work to grow the materials business.

Speaker #1: Now I'll turn it back over to Kyle.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Stacy. I'll close with the following points. I have strong confidence in the future of Granite. I believe Granite is in position to capitalize on the numerous opportunities in both of our segments as we work toward sustainable, long-term value creation, and as we focus on growing revenue and driving margin and cash flow expansion.

Kyle Larkin: Thanks, Staci. I'll close with the following points. I have strong confidence in the future of Granite. I believe Granite is in position to capitalize on the numerous opportunities in both of our segments as we work towards sustainable, long-term value creation and as we focus on growing revenue and driving margin, and cash flow expansion. The strong public construction market is fueling our cap growth. We have the bidding opportunities ahead of us to enhance portfolio quality and support disciplined cap expansion in 2026. In addition, while cap growth has been concentrated in the public market, I believe our private markets, such as rail, and commercial site development, remain robust and represent attractive incremental growth avenues for our construction segment. In the materials business, we have made outstanding strides over the last two years, and I believe that will continue in 2026.

Speaker #2: The strong public construction market is fueling our CAP growth. We have the bidding opportunities ahead of us to enhance portfolio quality and support disciplined CAP expansion in 2026.

Speaker #2: In addition, while CAP growth has been concentrated in the public market, I believe our private markets, such as rail and commercial site development, remain robust and represent attractive incremental growth avenues for our construction segment.

Speaker #2: In the materials business, we have made outstanding strides over the last two years and I believe that will continue in 2026. With the addition of Warren Pagan, Pappich Construction, and Synderleit for the full year, I expect meaningful increases in revenue and profit in the segment in 2026.

Kyle Larkin: With the addition of Warren Paving, Papich Construction, and Cinderlite for the full year, I expect meaningful increases in revenue and profit in this segment in 2026. I believe we are on track for our 2027 financial targets for Adjusted EBITDA margin and operating cash flow margin, with 2026 being another important step in demonstrating consistent performance against our long-term targets. Finally, as we are integrating the acquisitions of 2025, I expect to add several more acquisitions in 2026 that will further strengthen our competitive position and support our ability to achieve our 2027 financial targets. We are evaluating bolt-ons in our existing markets and expansion opportunities in new markets as we continue to strengthen our position as America's infrastructure company. Operator, I will now turn it back to you for questions.

Speaker #2: I believe we are on track for a 2027 financial targets for adjusted EBITDA margin and operating cash flow margin with 2026 being another important step in demonstrating consistent performance against our long-term targets.

Speaker #2: Finally, as we are integrating the acquisitions of 2025, I expect to add several more acquisitions in 2026 that will further strengthen our competitive position and support our ability to achieve our 2027 financial targets.

Speaker #2: We are evaluating bolt-ons in our existing markets and expansion opportunities in new markets as we continue to strengthen our position as America's infrastructure company.

Speaker #2: Operator, I'll now turn it back to you for questions.

Speaker #3: We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then 1 on your touchstone phone. If you are using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys.

Operator: We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, you may press star then one on your touchtone phone. If you are using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw the question, please press star then two. Our first question comes from Brent Thielman with DA Davidson. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw the question, please press star, then 2. Our first question comes from Brent Fieldman with CA Davidson.

Speaker #3: Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Great. Hey, thanks. Good morning. Hey, Kyle, some of your peers have offered some comments just in terms of thoughts on federal legislation obviously, IIJ expiring here in September.

Brent Thielman: Great. Hey, thanks. Good morning. Hey, Kyle. Some of your peers have offered some comments just in terms of thoughts on, you know, federal legislation. Obviously, IIJA expiring here in September. Maybe your latest thoughts on, you know, what you're hearing coming, when we could get, maybe more detail on what's coming. Maybe to start there.

Speaker #4: Maybe your latest thoughts on what you're hearing, coming when we could get maybe more detail on what's coming—maybe to start there.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Good morning, Brent. So I think as we spoke before, on previous calls, the IIJ expires I think everybody knows now in September of this year.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah. Good morning, Brent. So I think, as we spoke before on previous calls, the IIJA expires, I think everybody knows now, in September of this year, and all the funds we expect to be allocated out. The spend to date is right around 50%. That's as of November, so there's still a really nice runway of spending to go. So that'll last, luckily, for a few more years. I think what we hear really from industry today is that there's still bipartisan support. There's still a huge focus on coming up with another investment mechanism. And I think the really good news is the investment amount is significantly higher, at least that's what's in discussions today, than higher than what is in the IIJA. So it's all positive.

Speaker #5: And all the funds we expect to be allocated out. The spend to date is right around 50 percent. That's as of November. So there's still a really nice runway of spending to go.

Speaker #5: So, that'll last, luckily, for a few more years. I think what we hear really from industry today is that there's still bipartisan support. There's still a huge focus on coming up with another investment mechanism.

Speaker #5: And I think the really good news is the investment amount is significantly higher at least that's what's in discussions today than higher than what is in the IIJA.

Speaker #5: So it's all positive. In terms of timing of when we might hear I think we're going to start getting maybe some updates, I would say, around March, April if they can get a draft bill put in place for the transportation infrastructure committee to review.

Kyle Larkin: In terms of timing of when we might hear, I think we're going to start getting maybe some updates, I would say, around March, April, if they can get a draft bill put in place, for the Transportation Infrastructure Committee to review. So I think that's kind of the next step in terms of when we'll get the next update.

Speaker #5: So I think that's kind of the next step in terms of when we'll get the next update.

Speaker #2: Got it. Appreciate that, Kyle. And I guess my follow-up, Kyle, just in terms of you've got a great sort of book of business here that seems to continue to build or looks like it will continue to build.

Brent Thielman: Got it. Appreciate that, Kyle. And I guess my follow-up, Kyle, just in terms of, you've got a great sort of book of business here that seems to continue to build, or looks like it will continue to build. Can you talk about some of the direct, federal opportunities that are out there that you've spoken about before? What does that pipeline look like? Are you optimistic that there could be some meaningful things that could get picked up there, this year?

Speaker #2: Can you talk about some of the direct federal opportunities that are out there that you've spoken about before? What does that pipeline look like?

Speaker #2: Are you optimistic that there could be some meaningful things that could get picked up there this year?

Speaker #5: So what do you mean federal? Are you talking specifically more around the board of infrastructure, Brent, or just the kind of the federal program in general?

Kyle Larkin: So when you mean federal, are you talking specifically more around the border infrastructure, Brent, or just the kind of federal programs in general?

Speaker #2: Yeah. I mean, I guess board of infrastructure or anything beyond that directly related to federal government contracting. I think we've spoken to some large things before there.

Brent Thielman: Yeah, yeah. I mean, I guess border infrastructure or anything beyond that, you know, directly related to federal government contracting. I think we've spoken some large things before there.

Speaker #5: Right. So we do have quite a bit of work with the federal government in Guam. And that work continues to be going very well.

Kyle Larkin: Right. So we do have quite a bit of work with the federal government in Guam, and that work continues to be going very well. We believe we'll continue to pick up work in Guam as part of that program. With regards to the border, there is a huge border infrastructure program that is probably sitting at about $40 billion, and there's around 11 contractors or so pursuing that work, and we're one of them. But we actually have one contract today in southeastern Texas. It's just under $200 million. And we started that work last November. So there is a huge program and opportunity in front of us.

Speaker #5: We believe we'll continue to pick up work in Guam as part of that program. With regards to the border, there is a huge board of infrastructure program that is probably just under about $40 billion.

Speaker #5: And there's around 11 contractors or so pursuing that work. And we're one of them. And we actually have one contract today in Southeastern Texas that's just under $200 million.

Speaker #5: And we started that work last November. So there is a huge program and opportunity in front of us. One of the things that changed is the government's looking to get that work out and awarded, we believe, mid-year.

Kyle Larkin: One of the things that changed is the government's looking to get that work out and awarded, we believe, mid-year, so sometime around June, July. And to help with that, these contracts are getting larger than what we originally contemplated. So the risk profile is changing, a little bit on those to one that's just giving us reason to be more disciplined in our pursuits and ensuring that we can not only just win the work, but be successful in delivering it for ourselves and for our clients. So we'll see. What I can tell you is that we don't have any additional border infrastructure work in the guidance that we provided you today.

Speaker #5: So sometime around June and July. And to help with that, these contracts are getting larger than what we originally contemplated, so the risk profile is changing.

Speaker #5: A little bit on those to one that's just giving us reason to be more disciplined. In our pursuits and ensuring that we can not only just win the work, but be successful in delivering it for ourselves and for our clients.

Speaker #5: So we'll see. What I can tell you is we don't have any additional board of infrastructure work in the guidance that we provided you today.

Speaker #2: Okay. Thank you. I'll pass it on.

Kevin Gainey: Okay, thank you. I'll pass it on.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Thank you.

Kyle Larkin: Thank you.

Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Steven Ramsey with Thomson Research Group. Please go ahead.

Operator: Our next question comes from Steven Ramsey with Thompson Research Group. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Hi. Good morning, everyone. I wanted to think high-level that your tracking to your 2027 targets did you expect cap to be at this level when you laid those targets out?

Steven Ramsey: Hi, good morning, everyone. Wanted to think high level that you're tracking to your 2027 targets. Did you expect CAP to be at this level when you laid those targets out? Or would you say those targets were predicated on a CAP level that was lower or higher than this? I guess I'm trying to get a sense of how CAP dependent those targets are.

Speaker #6: Or would you say those targets were predicated on a cap level that was lower or higher than this? I guess I'm trying to get a sense of how cap-dependent those targets are.

Speaker #5: Yeah. I don't know if we necessarily came out and said, 'Here's what our cap needs to be in order to hit those 27 targets,' simply because it's a balance of bid-build and best value.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, I don't know if we necessarily came out and said, "Here's what our CAP needs to be in order to hit those 2027 targets," simply because it's a balance of bid build and best value. Obviously, the burn rates on those two are very different, one being a lot shorter burn of a couple of years, and the best value can be up to about a 5-year burn. In the CAP today, it's back to about 50/50 between those two, which I think is very healthy. So that gives us a lot of confidence, not just in our ability to hit our numbers from an organic growth rate of around 8% in 2026, but it should allow us to continue to have that growth rate into 2027.

Speaker #5: And obviously, the burn rates on those two are very different. One being a lot shorter burn, of a couple of years, and the best value can be up to about a five-year burn.

Speaker #5: In the cap today, it's back to about 50/50 between those two. Which we think is very healthy. So that gives us a lot of confidence, not just in our ability to hit our numbers from an organic growth rate of around 8% in 2026.

Speaker #5: But it should allow us to continue to have that growth rate into 2027. So I think the best way to answer is we feel really good about the cap.

Kyle Larkin: So I think the best way to answer is we feel really good about the cap. The $7 billion is a really high-quality cap. The margin profile within our cap continues to improve, and that's going to also get us to those 2027 targets. So I think our cap is right on track to where we want to be.

Speaker #5: The $7 billion is a really high-quality cap. The margin profile within our cap continues to improve, and that's going to also get us to those 2027 targets.

Speaker #5: So I think our cap is right on track to where we want to be.

Speaker #6: Okay. That's helpful. And then wanted to think about the capex, the strategic capex of $50 million geared towards the materials segment. Can you talk a bit about how much of that is in the legacy Western markets?

Steven Ramsey: Okay, that's helpful. And then wanted to think about the CapEx, the strategic CapEx of $50 million geared towards the materials segment. Can you talk a bit about how much of that is in the legacy Western markets? How much of that is the recently acquired Warren assets? And maybe to tag along with that, how the Warren integration is going and how that is shaping up for growth in both sales and profits within the Southeast business.

Speaker #6: How much of that is the recently acquired Warren assets? And maybe to tag along with that, how the Warren integration is going and how that is shaping up for growth in both sales and profits within the Southeast business?

Staci Woolsey: Hey, Stephen, I'll start to talk a little bit about the strategic materials CapEx of $50 million. That's more heavily weighted towards the legacy business and expanding reserves and doing automation projects there. And also in our acquisition from a couple of years ago with Lehman-Roberts and the Stone and Gravel, and doing some investment there. So but really more heavily weighted towards the legacy Granite business. And then as we think about the Warren integration, they've performed really well so far this year in the 5 months that we've had them on board, and we're really excited about that and feel good about that going forward, and then the opportunities it's gonna present to continue to expand in the overall Southeast.

Speaker #4: Hey, Steven. I'll start and talk a little bit about the strategic materials capex of $50 million that's more heavily weighted towards the legacy business and expanding reserves and doing automation projects there.

Speaker #4: And also in our acquisitions from a couple of years ago with Lehman-Roberts and the stone and gravel, and doing some investment there. But really more heavily weighted towards the legacy Granite business.

Speaker #4: And then as we think about the Warren integration, they've performed really well so far this year in the five months that we've had them on board.

Speaker #4: And we're really excited about that and feel good about that going forward. And then the opportunity that's going to present to continue to expand in the overall Southeast.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Maybe I'll add a little bit to the integration. We made an investment. So we have dedicated resources in our integration team today to help with these acquisitions.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah. Maybe, maybe I'll add a little bit to the integration. We made an investment, so we have dedicated resources in our integration team today to help with these acquisitions. Warren Paving is off to a strong start, similar to Papich Construction and Cinderlite. So all three of our acquisitions last year are performing very well, if anything, outperforming where we thought they were gonna be. Again, we're excited about the teams that came with those companies, the leadership that came with those companies, and the markets that they're in continue to be healthy and growing. So we really look forward to having them in our full year of business this year in 2026.

Speaker #5: And Warren Paving is off to a strong start, similar to Pappich Construction and Cinderlight. So all three of our acquisitions last year are performing very well, if anything, outperforming where we thought they were going to be.

Speaker #5: Again, we're excited about the teams that came with those companies. The leadership that came with those companies, in the markets that they're in, continues to be healthy and growing.

Speaker #5: So we really look forward to having them in our full year of business this year in '26.

Speaker #6: Great. That's great color. Thank you.

Steven Ramsey: Great. That's great color. Thank you.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Thank you.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, thank you.

Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Kevin Gainey with Thomson Davis. Please go ahead.

Operator: Our next question comes from Kevin Gainey with Thompson Davis. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Good morning. Kyle and Staci. Great quarter, guys. Maybe if you wanted to dive into the project bidding opportunities, and more so maybe by vertical.

Kevin Gainey: Good morning, Kyle and Staci. Great quarter, guys. Maybe if you wanted to dive into the project bidding opportunities and more so maybe by vertical. I'm just kind of interested in what you guys are seeing out there for mining, rail, maybe renewables, water.

Speaker #7: I'm just kind of interested in what you guys are seeing out there for mining, rail, maybe renewables, water.

Speaker #5: Sure. In general, the market's strong. It's been strong. It remains strong. If you think of the last six months, we've bid more work. We've captured more work with slightly higher margins.

Kyle Larkin: Sure. You know, in general, the market's strong. It's been strong, it remains strong. I think over the last 6 months, we bid more work, we captured more work with slightly higher margins. So that's kind of the high level, really good news and obviously driving a very strong CAP for us. The public market with the IIJA is still a big, big part of our business, around 85% or more, today. So I think that's more reflection of really strong IIJA and public funding. We see mining continue to be strong, whether it's our involvement on the process water side or actually just doing work for the miners on site development, site veins. Rail is an opportunity.

Speaker #5: So that's kind of the high-level, really good news and obviously driving a very strong cap for us. The public market, with the IJA, is still a big part of our business.

Speaker #5: Around 85% or more today. And so I think that's more a reflection of a really strong IJA and public funding. We see mining continue to be strong, whether it's our involvement on the processed water side, or actually just doing work for the miners on-site development side of things.

Speaker #5: Rail is an opportunity. We continue to see intermodal opportunities in our future. And hopefully, we'll continue to capture some of those that could maybe shift things back a little bit more weighted towards private than public as an overall company.

Kyle Larkin: We continue to see intermodal opportunities in our future, and hopefully we'll continue to capture some of those that could maybe shift things back a little bit more weighted towards private than public, as an overall company. Renewables stay strong. We're seeing solar projects continue to come out, and we continue to pursue them, and I think we're continuing to grow that part of our segment in construction in the next year or two. So I think all in all, we feel really good about the market. You know, we don't participate a whole lot in the residential market, but the markets that we are on the private side, outside of that, continue to be really strong. I would say we're starting to look a little bit harder at some of the data center work.

Speaker #5: Renewables stay strong. We're seeing solar projects continue to come out. And we continue to pursue them. And I think we're going to continue to grow that part of our segment in construction in the next year or two.

Speaker #5: So I think all in all, we feel really good about the market. We don't participate a whole lot in the residential market. But the markets that we are in, the private side outside of that, continue to be really strong.

Speaker #5: I would say we're starting to look a little bit harder at some of the data center work we do—do data center projects up in the Pacific Northwest and Nevada.

Kyle Larkin: We do data center projects up in the Pacific Northwest, Nevada. Today we're pursuing some projects outside of those markets down into Texas and even in Ohio. So hopefully there's some new opportunities for us that we can capture in the future here.

Speaker #5: Today, we're pursuing some projects outside of those markets, down into Texas and even in Ohio. So hopefully, there are some new opportunities for us that we can capture in the future here.

Speaker #7: And then as we sit here and we think about the $7 billion cap, do you guys have any concerns operationally or from maybe whether it's labor, equipment, or anything like that that could cause you cause an issue in executing on the project pipeline?

Kevin Gainey: ... Then as we sit here and we think about the $7 billion cap, is there-- do you guys have any concerns operationally or from maybe whether it's labor, equipment, or anything like that, that could cause you, cause an issue in executing on the project pipeline?

Speaker #5: Not at all. Yeah. That $7 billion of cap, again, half of that is best value, half of it's bid-built. So the progression that work's going to vary a little bit.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, that's $7 billion of CAP. Again, half of that is Best Value, half of it is bid build. So the progression that works can vary a little bit. Historically, we've been as high as, as if you look at burning of our contract backlog in any given year, close to 50% of our CAP. This year, it's gonna be closer to just over 40% of our CAP. So, we don't have any issue concerns at all in that regard.

Speaker #5: Historically, we've been as high as if you look at burning of our contract backlog in any given year, close to 50% of our cap.

Speaker #5: This year, it's going to be closer to just over 40% of our cap. So we don't have any execution concerns at all in that regard.

Speaker #7: That sounds good. And then maybe just one more, just on the EBITDA guidance for margins. What would it take from to be able to get to the high end of that range?

Kevin Gainey: That sounds good. And then maybe just one more just on the EBITDA guidance for margins. What would it take to be able to get to the high end of that range, and maybe if you could talk about the low end as well?

Speaker #7: And maybe if you could talk about the low end as well.

Speaker #5: Well, in any given year, there's a few factors. Obviously, we talked before about whether Q1, Q4, whether it can always be an opportunity or it can be a hindrance for us.

Kyle Larkin: Well, in any given year, there's a few factors. Obviously, we talked before about weather. Q1, Q4, weather can always be an opportunity or it can be a hindrance for us. So far in Q1, it's been okay. There were some big weather issues in the Southeast, as we all know, earlier this year. We don't think that's gonna impact our ability to hit our guidance. We'll have to see how the rest of this quarter shakes out, as well as Q4. We still have to win and actually bid, build some of the work that we're gonna need this year to hit our revenue numbers. So it's always a risk in the first half of the year of actually capturing that work and getting started on that work.

Speaker #5: So far in Q1, it's been okay. There were some big weather issues in the Southeast. As we all know, earlier this year, we don't think that's going to impact our ability to hit our guidance.

Speaker #5: And we'll obviously have to see how the rest of this quarter shakes out, as well as Q4. We still have to win and actually bid or build some of the work that we're going to need this year to hit our revenue number.

Speaker #5: So it's always a risk in the first half of the year of actually capturing that work and getting started on that work. In the execution, that's an opportunity for us and a risk as well.

Kyle Larkin: And then execution, that's an opportunity for us and, and a risk as well. We have to perform, but I think today, you know, our operational excellence is at a really high level, and it's a very different business than what we were several years ago. And I see execution as more of an opportunity today than a risk. We tend to outperform our projects more than we underperform, today. And then there's just some unknown unknowns, and we'll have to see if any of those, show up. But I feel as though the things that we control are, we're in really good shape, and it should be a really nice year for us.

Speaker #5: We have to perform. But I think today, our operational excellence is at a really high level, and it's a very different business than what we were several years ago.

Speaker #5: And I see execution as more of an opportunity today than a risk. We tend to outperform our projects more than we underperform today. And then there's just some unknown unknowns.

Speaker #5: And we'll have to see if any of those show up. But I feel as though the things that we control were in really good shape.

Speaker #5: And it should be a really nice year for us.

Speaker #7: Sounds good. I appreciate all the color. I'll turn it over.

Kevin Gainey: Sounds good. I appreciate all the color. I'll turn it over.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.

Kyle Larkin: Thank you. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Michael Dudas with vertical research partners. Please go ahead.

Operator: Our next question comes from Michael Dudas with Vertical Research Partners. Please go ahead.

Speaker #8: Yes. Good morning, Staci, Mike, Kyle.

Michael Dudas: Yes, good morning, Staci, Mike, Kyle.

Speaker #9: Good morning.

Operator: Good morning.

Michael Dudas: Kyle, best, the Best Value practice backlog getting close to 50 percent, very helpful. And you mentioned in your prepared remarks, other states are engaging in those types of contracts. Maybe you could share a little bit more. What-- how much of a percentage of your backlog could that type of contract be? And given how it's allocated and led throughout the process, because of its building, is that going to provide some more project or award opportunities or revenue opportunities a little longer in the cycle, given that's been built up so high, and that could give some more visibility to later this year, into next year and beyond, because of how big and how large that part of the backlog will grow?

Speaker #8: Kyle, the best value practice backlog getting close to 50%, very helpful. And you mentioned in your prepared remarks other states are engaging in those types of contracts.

Speaker #8: Maybe you could share a little bit more. How much of a percentage of your backlog could that type of contract be? And given how it's allocated and let throughout the process, because of its building, is that going to provide some more project or award opportunities, or revenue opportunities, a little longer in the cycle given that it's been built up so high?

Speaker #8: And that could give some more visibility to later this year, into next year and beyond, because of how big and how large that part of the backlog will grow.

Speaker #5: Yeah. So maybe you're breaking up a little bit, but let me see. I think I can answer the question based on what I think you said there, Mike.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah. So maybe you're breaking up a little bit, but let me see. I think I can answer the question based on what I think you said there, Mike, but if I get it wrong, let me know. You know, the question's come up before around what's the right balance between best value and bid build. And you know, I don't think we necessarily know the answer to. I think we like what we have today, that 50/50 feels pretty good. And to your point, as more states pass legislation to allow CMGC or CMAR or progressive design-build, we could see that increase. And I think that's okay. It allows us to do some more complex, larger contracts in a de-risked manner, and we tend to perform very well on those.

Speaker #5: But if I get it wrong, let me know. The questions have come up before around what's the right balance between best value and bid-build, and I don't think we necessarily know the answer to it.

Speaker #5: I think we like what we have today at that 50—it feels pretty good. And to your point, as more states pass legislation to allow CMGC, CMAR, or Progressive Design and Build, we could see that increase.

Speaker #5: And I think that's okay. It allows us to do some more complex, larger contracts and a de-risk manner. And we tend to perform very well on those.

Speaker #5: So I think that if that progression happens, that would be a good thing for us. I think that it is the future of contracting is to be more collaborative, to be partners with our clients.

Kyle Larkin: So I think that if that progression happens, that would be a good thing for us. I think that, I think that is the future of, of contracting is to be more collaborative, to be partners with our, with our clients, and it really fits us well as we have a whole market strategy. So we like to know the customers that we're, we're working for and, and having the resources to ensure that we can, we can, deliver these projects for them the way that we both would expect us to. So if it does increase, I think that's a good thing. I think the, another good thing about our cap being around 50% best value, is it gives us some insight into the future.

Speaker #5: And it really fits us well as we have a home market strategy. So we'd like to know that the and having the resources to ensure that we can deliver these projects for them the way that we both would expect us to.

Speaker #5: So if it does increase, I think that's a good thing. I think the other good thing about our cap being about 50% best value is it gives us some insight into the future.

Speaker #5: And so we know that we're going to progress through a portion of that work this year. But it gives us confidence as we start working towards those 2027 numbers and beyond.

Kyle Larkin: So, we know that we're gonna progress through a portion of that work this year, but it gives us confidence as we start working towards those 2027 numbers and beyond. So I think we feel really good about our cap today, and we'll have to see what happens in terms of this best value over time.

Speaker #5: So I think we feel really good about our cap today, and we'll have to see what happens in terms of this best value over time.

Speaker #2: Yeah, that's perfect. Thank you for that answer, Kyle. And my follow-up is on the materials side. Since your reorganization of the business, certainly the pricing and volumes have been quite good.

Michael Dudas: Yeah, that, that's perfect. Thank you for that answer, Kyle. My follow-up is: on the material side, you know, since your reorganization of the business, certainly the pricing and volumes have been quite good, you know, organic and some, and your acquisitions. How do you feel you are relative to pricing two years later with this change relative to the market? Is there still upside relative to the market in certain regions? And what are you anticipating or budgeting for aggregate and asphalt pricing generally for 2026?

Speaker #2: Organic and your acquisitions—how do you feel you are relative to pricing two years later with this change, relative to the market? Is there still upside relative to the market in certain regions?

Speaker #2: And what are you anticipating or budgeting for aggregate and asphalt pricing generally for 2026?

Speaker #5: Yeah. I'd say in 2026, we'll start with the pricing first. Probably mid-single digit. Price improvements on the ag side and low single digit on the asphalt.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, I'd say in 2026, we'll start with the pricing first, probably mid-single digit price improvements on the ag side and low single digit on the asphalt. You know, every market's different. We look at every project, every market uniquely and discretely, and so I think that there is still opportunities. I think our team consistently looks at that. And one of the things we did with W. R. a couple of years ago is we bring some of that sales strategy and feedback loop up to a higher level, and so we can look at things a little bit more broad and ensure that we're looking at things without maybe with a little bit less emotion. And so I think there's still work to be done.

Speaker #5: Every market's different. We look at every project, every market uniquely. And discreetly. And so I think that there is still opportunities. I think our team consistently looks at that.

Speaker #5: And one of the things we did with the reorder a couple of years ago is we bring some of that sales strategy and feedback loop up to a higher level.

Speaker #5: And so we can look at things a little bit more broad and ensure that we're looking at things with maybe a little bit less emotion.

Speaker #5: And so I think there's still work to be done. I think that our team's done a fantastic job. I'm impressed. With what they've done, they've obviously unlocked a tremendous amount of value in our materials business.

Kyle Larkin: I think that our team's done a fantastic job. I'm impressed with what they've done. They've obviously unlocked a tremendous amount of value in our materials business, but I think there's still some more to do. In the 2027 targets, we've talked about another 3% or better in cash gross profit over the next two years. So that's we expect to continue to see that this year. That's contributing to our EBITDA margin expansion this year. And so I think we're right on track with all that.

Speaker #5: But I think there's still some more to do. In the 2027 targets, we've talked about another 3% or better cash gross profit over the next two years.

Speaker #5: So that's we expect to continue to see that this year. That's contributing to our EBITDA margin expansion this year. And so I think we're right on track with all that.

Speaker #2: And just a quick follow-up on your—what about your costs with your budgeting in the materials business, on a percentage basis, relative to the pricing you're sharing?

Michael Dudas: And just quick follow-up on your -- and what about your cost with your budgeting in the materials business on a percentage basis relative to the pricing you're sharing?

Speaker #5: Well, we've done a really, really nice job in our legacy business of keeping costs under control. I think that's one of the real highlights of our team, as costs year over year have actually been flat in the last two years.

Kyle Larkin: Well, we've done a really, really nice job in our legacy business, keeping costs under control. I think that's one of the real highlights of our team is, costs year-over-year have actually been flat, in the last two years. So I think the automation efforts we put in place, the standardization of our materials playbook, I think all that's paying off for us as well. Obviously, there are some cost inputs, some of the variable costs that would go up with inflation. But all in all, last year, mix-adjusted, I think we ended up close to about 8%.

Speaker #5: So I think the automation efforts we put in place, the standardization of our materials playbook, I think all that's paying off for us as well.

Speaker #5: Obviously, there are some cost inputs, some of the variable costs that would go up with inflation. But all in all, last year, our mix adjusted, I think we ended up close to about 8%.

Speaker #2: Excellent.

Michael Dudas: Excellent.

Kyle Larkin: 8%, net price increase.

Speaker #5: 8% net price increase.

Kyle Larkin: 8%, net price increase.

Michael Dudas: A net 8% price increase over micro. I appreciate it. Thanks. Thanks, Kyle.

Speaker #2: A net 8% price increase over I appreciate it. Thanks. Thanks, Kyle.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Thank you.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, thank you.

Speaker #10: Our final question comes from Adam Bubis with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead.

Operator: Our final question comes from Adam Bubes with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead.

Speaker #11: Hi. Good morning. Can you help us think through the 2026 versus 2025 margin outlook? I think the guide is just over 50 basis points of margin expansion at the midpoint.

Adam Bubes: Hi, good morning. Can you help us think through the 2026 versus 2025 margin outlook? I think the guide is just over 50 basis points of margin expansion at the midpoint. How much of that margin expansion is coming from, you know, price versus better execution versus, I, I know you have some favorable M&A rollover. And then what are some of the offsets? I think you had a favorable claim last year. It looks like maybe slightly outsized equipment sales this year that you could be lacking. Just trying to think through the puts and takes.

Speaker #11: How much of that margin expansion is coming from price versus better execution versus I know you have some favorable M&A rollover. And then what are some of the offsets, I think, you had of favorable claim last year?

Speaker #11: It It looks like maybe slightly outsized equipment sales this year that you could be lapping just trying to think through the puts and takes.

Speaker #5: Yeah, yeah, I think so, Adam. I think maybe the easiest way to look at it is we have been talking about a 1% construction margin improvement over the next two years.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, yeah. I think the easiest way to look at it is we have been talking about a 1% construction margin improvement over the next two years and split really between 2026 and 2027. So it was around 50 basis points improvement in our construction margins. On materials, we've been talking about at least 3% over the next two years, about a percent and a half each year. So on a weighted average basis, that's around 20 basis points. So you put the two together, that's around a 70 basis point improvement between construction and materials. As Staci mentioned in her remarks, there's about a 50 basis point improvement on SG&A. So that's about a 120 basis point improvement in margin.

Speaker #5: And it's what really between 2026 and 2027. So it was around a 50 basis point improvement in our construction margins. Materials, we've been talking about at least 3% over the next two years, so about a percent and a half each year.

Speaker #5: So, on a weighted average basis, that's around 20 basis points. So you put the two together, that's around a 70 basis point improvement between construction and materials.

Speaker #5: The Staci mentioned in her remarks, there's about a 50 basis point improvement on SG&A. So that's about 120 basis point improvement in margin but then you have the net out, the things you talked about.

Kyle Larkin: But then you have to net out the things you talked about. So we have some claim recoveries. We had a little bit larger gain on sale. So that nets out to about a 50 basis point improvement, if that answers that question. I think the other thing to think about is to get to the midpoint of our 2027 EBITDA margin guidance. It's about a 100 basis point improvement from here. So we're right on track with where we thought we'd be this year and right on track to getting to that midpoint of our EBITDA margin in 2027.

Speaker #5: So we have some claim recoveries. We had a little bit larger gain on sale, and so that adds up to about a 50 basis point improvement, if that answers that question.

Speaker #5: I think the other thing to think about is to get to the midpoint of our 2027 EBITDA margin guidance, it's about 100 basis point improvement from here.

Speaker #5: So we're right on track with where we thought we'd be this year and right on track to getting to that midpoint of our EBITDA margin in 2027.

Speaker #11: Terrific. And then can you just talk about it sounds like the M&A pipeline is still pretty robust. What's the range of outcomes that you're contemplating for M&A in 2026?

Adam Bubes: Terrific. And then, can you just talk about, you know, it sounds like the M&A pipeline is still pretty robust. What's the range of outcomes that you're contemplating for M&A in 2026? And, yeah, can you just talk about how you view M&A in context of leverage as well? If there are larger opportunities out there, would you feel comfortable moving above the leverage target of 2.5, or nothing of size that would really move the needle in the medium term on that front?

Speaker #11: And can you just talk about how you view M&A in the context of leverage as well? If there are larger opportunities out there, would you feel comfortable moving above the leverage target of 2.5, or is there nothing of size that would really move the needle?

Speaker #11: And the medium-term on that front?

Speaker #5: Well, as I mentioned, previously, all three of the recent transactions have gone very well. So it gives us a lot of confidence as we move forward and look to do more deals.

Kyle Larkin: Well, as I mentioned, previously, all three of the recent transactions have gone very well, so that gives us a lot of confidence as we move forward and look to do more deals. We've invested in our corporate development team, which has been great, so we can really vet through a whole lot of opportunities that come our way. We can also self-source a lot of our deals. So I do expect, and we expect to get, several things done this year. I think from a leverage perspective, we are still targeting that 2.5 times net debt. If there was something larger that came out, we'd probably go up from there, with a plan to obviously come back down. But I think that leverage kind of still holds.

Speaker #5: We've invested in our corporate development team, which has been great. So we can really bet through a whole lot of opportunities that come our way.

Speaker #5: We can also sell source a lot of our deals. So I do expect and we expect to get several things done this year. I think from a leverage perspective, we are still targeting that 2.5 times net debt.

Speaker #5: If there was something larger that came out, we'd probably go up from there with a plan to, obviously, come back down. But I think that leverage kind of still holds.

Speaker #5: And yeah, we're busy. I think our team's busy. I hope that we come back sometime in Q2 and provide you with some sort of update there.

Kyle Larkin: Yeah, we're busy. I think our team's busy. I hope that we can come back sometime in Q2 and provide you with some sort of update there.

Speaker #11: Great. Thanks so much.

Adam Bubes: Great. Thanks so much.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Kyle Larkin: Thank you.

Speaker #10: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Kyle Larkin for any closing remarks.

Operator: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Kyle Larkin for any closing remarks.

Speaker #5: Okay. Well, thank you for joining the call today. As always, we want to thank our teams for everything they did to make 2025 such a success.

Kyle Larkin: Okay. Well, thank you for joining the call today. As always, we want to thank our teams for everything they did to make 2025 such a success. Most importantly, we would like to thank our teams for making 2025 our safest year yet. We are an industry leader in safety, and we expect to get even better in 2026. Thank you for joining the call and your interest in Granite. We look forward to speaking with you all soon.

Speaker #5: Most importantly, we would like to thank our teams for making 2025 our safest year yet. We are an industry leader in safety, and we expect to get even better in 2026.

Speaker #5: Thank you for joining the call and for your interest in Granite. We look forward to speaking with you all soon.

Operator: The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

Q4 2025 Granite Construction Inc Earnings Call

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