There have been few large contract awards signed so far in 2011, dampening financial results for publicly owned engineering and construction firms. At a June 2 Credit Suisse-sponsored briefing in Manhattan, E&C executives told an audience of Wall Street analysts and investors that, despite disappointing first-half results, they are optimistic the tide will turn later this year.
“Investor sentiment remains horrible, and we get why,” said Jamie L. Cook, a Credit Suisse managing director, at the engineering and construction sector briefing. “In addition to broader macro fears, [first-quarter] awards and [earnings per share] disappointed, and no one believes the 2012 consensus estimates.”