WSP ‘feeling extremely good’ despite instability from Trump’s moves

WSP CEO Alexandre L’Heureux mentioned that coverage uncertainty stemming from President Donald Trump’s administration is impacting the market and can doubtless maintain merger and acquisition exercise quiet for the primary half of the yr.

“On one finish, with this new administration, I feel the funding neighborhood was eager for extra deregulation and subsequently fostering extra of an atmosphere for merger and acquisition,” L’Heureux mentioned in a Thursday earnings name. “The flip aspect of that is that when you’re creating an unstable atmosphere, folks are likely to take a pause. So I really feel you might have two competing forces proper now going down within the market.”

Regardless of the relative inactivity proper now, that doesn’t imply extra M&As aren’t on the horizon for the Montreal-based constructing large, in response to L’Heureux. Throughout WSP’s earlier three-year strategic cycle, it made 15 acquisitions and added about 20,000 folks to its headcount. Most not too long ago, the agency purchased Hailey, Idaho-based Power Engineers in August 2024 for $1.78 billion.

“I do imagine that if we are able to achieve extra stability within the market, I feel that the market is poised for lots of actions within the coming years, and we intend WSP to actively take part in that,” L’Heureux mentioned.

He additionally mentioned that regardless of the dearth of readability in the mean time, the corporate is “feeling extraordinarily good across the markets during which we function in the mean time, each within the U.S. and in Canada.”

“Excessive degree, I really feel that there’s a bilateral assist on either side of the aisle, by the Democrats and Republicans, round infrastructure,” L’Heureux mentioned. “I really feel that there is some dedication to infrastructure, and that I imagine will proceed to be robust in 2025.”

Microsoft partnership to sharpen tech focus

WSP introduced a multi-year partnership with Microsoft because the agency embarks on a brand new tech-focused strategic cycle. 

In its 2025-2027 action plan, the corporate goals to drive better innovation and meaningfully put money into digital, L’Heureux mentioned. The partnership with Microsoft will assist it obtain these objectives and represents a possible mixed monetary dedication and funding exceeding $1 billion, in response to the agency.

“We reaffirm this intention with a groundbreaking new seven-year partnership with Microsoft to speed up the digitalization of the structure, engineering and building business,” mentioned L’Heureux. “By combining our deep engineering and scientific experience with Microsoft’s best-in-class digital and AI applied sciences, we are able to drive worth, focus innovation and obtain distinctive outcomes.”

As a part of the deal, WSP is designating Microsoft as a preferred partner for digital and AI services, together with a world growth of the Copilot AI chatbot, in response to a Feb. 13 announcement. Microsoft, in the meantime, will proceed to look to WSP for engineering and science consultancy.

Revenue, income, backlog up

WSP reported revenues of 4.66 billion Canadian {dollars} ($3.23 billion) within the fourth quarter, up 25% from CA$3.72 billion in This autumn 2023. For the total yr, it noticed revenues of CA$16.17 billion, up 12% from 2023.

The agency’s earnings grew to CA$166.9 million in This autumn 2024, an almost 28% bounce from the identical interval final yr. Income stood at CA$681.4 million for all of 2024, up about 24% from the earlier yr.

Backlog stood at CA$15.6 billion, an almost 11% improve from CA$14.1 billion This autumn 2023. 

L’Heureux attributed the outcomes to the agency’s strategic acquisitions, diversification and different planning. WSP nonetheless has ample alternatives to take market share, and its deep understanding of the pure and constructed atmosphere supplies a strategic benefit, he mentioned.

“The world round us is altering quickly,” L’Heureux mentioned. “Megatrends such because the vitality transition, urbanization and the digital revolution are reshaping our planet and growing the demand for our experience.”