Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q1 behind us, let’s have a look at NV5 Global (NASDAQ: NVEE) and its peers.

The sector has historically benefitted from steady government spending on defense, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance, providing firms long-term contract stability. However, the Trump administration is showing more willingness than previous administrations to upend government spending and bloat. Whether or not defense budgets get cut, the rising demand for cybersecurity, AI-driven defense solutions, and sustainability consulting should benefit the sector for years, as agencies and enterprises seek expertise in navigating complex technology and regulations. Additionally, industrial automation and digital engineering are driving efficiency gains in infrastructure and technical consulting projects, which could help profit margins.

The 8 government & technical consulting stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.4% on average since the latest earnings results.

NV5 Global (NASDAQ: NVEE)

Operating from over 100 locations across the U.S. and internationally, NV5 Global (NASDAQ: NVEE) provides engineering, environmental, geospatial, and technical consulting services to public and private sector clients for infrastructure and building projects.

NV5 Global reported revenues of $234 million, up 10.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The three acquisitions that we completed in the first quarter had minimal impact on our financial results for the quarter, but they position us for expansion in key geographies and accelerated organic growth. As a result of our strong first quarter performance, backlog, and pipeline of opportunities, we are reaffirming full-year 2025 guidance for revenue and earnings per share," said Ben Heraud, CEO of NV5.

NV5 Global achieved the fastest revenue growth and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 22.6% since reporting and currently trades at $22.56.

Read our full report on NV5 Global here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Maximus (NYSE: MMS)

With nearly 50 years of experience translating public policy into operational programs that serve millions of citizens, Maximus (NYSE: MMS) provides operational services, clinical assessments, and technology solutions to government agencies in the U.S. and internationally.

Maximus reported revenues of $1.35 billion, up 2.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

Maximus delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 18.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $88.34.

Is now the time to buy Maximus? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Amentum (NYSE: AMTM)

With operations spanning approximately 80 countries and a workforce of specialized engineers and technical experts, Amentum Holdings (NYSE: AMTM) provides advanced engineering and technology solutions to U.S. government agencies, allied governments, and commercial enterprises across defense, energy, and space sectors.

Amentum reported revenues of $3.56 billion, up 2% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 4.9% since the results and currently trades at $24.09.

Read our full analysis of Amentum’s results here.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J)

With a workforce of approximately 45,000 professionals tackling complex challenges from water scarcity to cybersecurity, Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J) provides engineering, consulting, and technical services focused on infrastructure, sustainability, and advanced technology solutions.

Jacobs Solutions reported revenues of $3.03 billion, up 5.1% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it put up a solid beat of analysts’ backlog estimates.

The stock is up 3.4% since reporting and currently trades at $144.76.

Read our full, actionable report on Jacobs Solutions here, it’s free.

Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH)

With roots dating back to 1914 and deep ties to nearly all U.S. cabinet-level departments, Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) provides management consulting, technology services, and cybersecurity solutions primarily to U.S. government agencies and military branches.

Booz Allen Hamilton reported revenues of $2.92 billion, flat year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 0.6%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

The stock is down 11.2% since reporting and currently trades at $102.13.

Read our full, actionable report on Booz Allen Hamilton here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

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