We recently published a list of 11 Best Engineering Stocks to Invest in Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) stands against other best engineering stocks to invest in now.
The global engineering services market was valued at $3.26 trillion in 2023, as reported by Grand View Research. It’s projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2030, due to several driving factors. Technological advancements, particularly the integration of automation, AI, and IoT, are dramatically enhancing productivity and operational efficiency. Simultaneously, rapid urbanization and substantial government investments are driving increased infrastructure development worldwide. Stringent environmental regulations are also forcing an emphasis on sustainable solutions, which further propels this market expansion.
According to ALLPLAN, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry collectively is undergoing a fundamental shift, with sustainability transitioning from an optional consideration to an essential imperative. As the urgency of climate change intensifies, the built environment faces increasing pressure to minimize its environmental impact and contribute to global net-zero targets. The engineering industry is actively exploring and implementing innovative sustainable solutions. The adoption of green building materials, such as recycled aggregates and low-carbon concrete, is gaining traction as a means of reducing environmental footprints and promoting circular construction principles. Energy-efficient designs that incorporate passive strategies and renewable energy systems are becoming standard practice. The rise of smart cities, which are powered by IoT and AI, further underscores the industry’s commitment to urban sustainability.
Technology is pivotal for driving sustainable practices. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Digital Twins empower engineering teams to optimize designs, reduce material waste, and enhance operational efficiency, which leads to more sustainable project outcomes. Automation and prefabrication are reshaping construction methodologies by minimizing both material waste and energy consumption. Real-time monitoring systems, which use IoT and AI, provide critical data for informed decision-making. Achieving sustainability in engineering projects necessitates a proactive and collaborative approach. Lifecycle assessments, localized material sourcing, and robust monitoring systems are essential engineering strategies. By embracing principles of technological innovation and collaborative engineering practices, engineers are mitigating the environmental impact of their projects and creating more resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Our Methodology
We used the Finviz stock screener to compile an initial list of top engineering stocks. We then selected 11 engineering stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q4 2024. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database which tracks the moves of over 900 elite money managers.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A close-up of an engineer surveying a large-scale construction project.
Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) delivers engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions across diverse sectors. These include urban infrastructure, energy (both traditional and renewable), and government projects. Its expertise spans complex project management, fabrication, and technical consulting, with a focus on delivering large-scale and mission-critical infrastructure.
The company’s Urban Solutions segment reported a Q4 2024 profit of $81 million. New awards totaled $1.4 billion, and the year-end backlog surged 20% year-over-year to $17.7 billion. This growth is driven by projects in Advanced Technologies & Life Sciences (ATLS), Mining and Metals, and Infrastructure. In ATLS, the company secured an additional $243 million for Lilly’s LP1 project and won further semiconductor tool installation work.
It’s also targeting the data center market with agreements with major developers. Mining and Metals won a project in Australia and anticipates tens of billions in potential awards for resource expansion. Infrastructure projects like Gordie Howe and LAX Automated People Mover are progressing. As older projects near completion, Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) is selectively pursuing new opportunities in Texas, North Carolina, and the Netherlands. For 2025, the company expects growth in Urban Solutions, with segment margins projected at 4% to 5%.
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Strategy added Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) to its portfolio due to its position to benefit from high-priority investments from its strong market position and improved financials. It stated the following regarding the company in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
2024 proved a particularly active year for new idea generation: we added 23 new investments while exiting 29 due to a variety of considerations, including acquisitions, market capitalization constraints, and our assessment of forward return potential. While many of the new investments we made during the year are of relatively modest size, we will continue to build these positions over time provided company execution and end market prospects remain intact. In the fourth quarter we initiated five new investments: Oscar Health, TG Therapeutics, Clearwater Analytics, Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR) and Modine.
Fluor is one of the largest engineering, procurement and construction firms, with global scale supporting megaprojects across various end markets. With an improved contract structure mix and balance sheet, the company is poised to benefit from an array of high-priority investment projects in markets such as data centers, GLP-1 manufacturing, mining and nuclear energy.
Overall, FLR ranks 6th on our list of best engineering stocks to invest in now. While we acknowledge the growth potential of FLR, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FLR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
