Jacobs Completes Liverpool FC's Stadium Renovation Project

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) declared that it has completed its work for the Main Stand renovation at The Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, UK.

Jacobs has been providing numerous types of professional services to international leisure and sports projects for the last 25 years. Completion of the Anfield Stadium redevelopment project is another success story for the company’s construction and designing business.

Over the last 30 days, Jacobs’ shares recorded an average return of 9.82% – outperforming 1.99% returns by the S&P 500 Index. However, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock underperformed the Zacks categorized Engineering/R&D Services industry that boasts an average return of 13.24% during the comparable period.

Inside the Headlines

Jacobs, the engineering design consultant for the Anfield stadium redevelopment, offered its civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services. In addition to this, the company provided fire & acoustic, lift & escalators and public health consulting services for this renovation project.

Under the project, The Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium’s Main Stand has been modified and turned into one of the largest all-seat single stands in European football. It comprises a combined interior floor space, almost five times larger than the football pitch. Notably, the accessibility of the stadium has also improved along with an addition of around 8,500 seats.

Liverpool FC is aimed at creating a sustainable sports environment with a robust legacy. The club’s decision to redevelop The Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium is in sync with this goal.

Our Take

Jacobs currently intends to improve its performance by streamlining operations, reducing costs and managing working capital more efficiently. In addition, it plans to reward shareholders with lucrative buyback offers. However, headwinds like unfavorable commodity and energy prices, along with a stronger U.S. dollar raise concerns.

Over the last seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock remained unchanged for both fiscal 2017 and 2018, reflecting investors’ neutral stance.

Stocks to Consider

Better-ranked stocks in the industry include Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) , MasTec, Inc. (NYSE:MTZ) and Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX) .

Willdan Group, Inc. has an average positive earnings surprise of 18.72% for the last four quarters. It currently boasts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

MasTec, Inc. currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company’s average positive earnings surprise is 61.27% for the trailing four quarters.

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. currently has a Zacks Rank #2. The company’s average positive earnings surprise is 15.83% for the trailing four quarters.

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