AECOM's Record Performance in Q4 and FY 2024: A Deep Dive

AECOM, the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, reported its fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2024 results, showcasing record performance across various metrics. The company's strong financial performance was driven by a combination of factors, including a robust backlog, high win rates, and strategic capital allocation. This article delves into AECOM's impressive results and the key drivers behind its success.

Throughout fiscal 2024, AECOM maintained a strong backlog, which increased to a record level of $23,745 million, up 3% from the previous year. This growth was driven by a continued high win rate and a growing contribution from larger wins, enhancing long-term earnings visibility. Notably, Program Management backlog increased by 45% to a record high, with strength driven by large Transportation, Water, and energy transition-related wins. This growth was supported by ongoing investments in Program Management and Advisory, which extended AECOM's competitive advantages and expanded its addressable share of the high-value global infrastructure cycle.

AECOM's win rate remained at a record high throughout fiscal 2024, with a notable increase in the third quarter. This was driven by a combination of factors, including a strong pipeline of opportunities, continued addressable market expansion, and high-returning organic net service revenue (NSR) growth. The Company's focus on gaining market share and expanding its addressable market, coupled with its strategic investments in organic growth, contributed to its consistently high win rate.



AECOM's capital allocation strategy focused on prioritizing investments in organic growth, followed by share repurchases and dividends. The company returned a total of $407 million to shareholders, including $150 million in share repurchases since the end of the fiscal third quarter and the July dividend payment. This represents a significant increase from the prior year period, contributing to a 32% growth in year-to-date free cash flow. The company's returns-focused policy aims to balance growth and shareholder returns, as evidenced by the $700 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

AECOM's record performance in Q4 and FY 2024 is a testament to the company's strategic approach to growth and capital allocation. Its strong backlog, high win rates, and balanced capital allocation strategy have positioned the company well for future growth and success. Investors should continue to monitor AECOM's performance and its ability to maintain and improve its backlog and win rate, as these factors will significantly impact its revenue growth and earnings guidance for the following year.