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MTZMasTec, Inc.Sell6.1·$181.00
MTZ · Why this verdict

Why MasTec (MTZ) is rated SELL

Updated

Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results. How we score · Editorial policy

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Methodology · Editorial policy & full disclaimer

VerdictSELL
Overall score6.1/10
ConfidenceMEDIUM
MacroNEUTRAL
TrendMatrix Research · core thesis

Engine thesis — one sentence

MasTec delivers extraordinary 34% revenue growth and a perfect 4-for-4 earnings beat streak with an average surprise of 15%, but quality metrics remain below acceptable thresholds and momentum is insufficient to support a new position.

Falsifiable statement — pillar-level invalidators below. Engine-derived; not personalized advice.

Thesis pillars

MasTec reported 34% year-over-year revenue growth, the highest in the engineering and construction peer group, driven by infrastructure buildout demand that has translated into 4 consecutive earnings beats.

→Stable
Growth breakdown
Expectation
Revenue growth remains above 20% YoY for at least 2 of the next 4 quarters as infrastructure projects continue to ramp.

CounterEngineering and construction revenue can be lumpy due to project timing; a single large project completion without backlog replenishment could cause a sharp deceleration.

MasTec has beaten earnings estimates in all 4 of the last 4 quarters, with an average surprise of 15.3% and a standout 40.6% beat in the most recent quarter, demonstrating consistent execution above expectations.

→Stable
Earnings
Expectation
The company beats consensus estimates in at least 3 of the next 4 quarters, sustaining positive earnings momentum.

CounterThe large 40.6% beat in the most recent quarter may reflect a one-time project acceleration that raises the comparison base, making future beats harder to achieve.

Free cash flow conversion is only 3% of net income — a severe quality red flag — and the company shows no durable competitive moat, meaning reported earnings may not translate into real shareholder value.

→Stable
Quality breakdown
Expectation
Free cash flow as a percentage of net income improves above 30% over the next 12 months.

CounterConstruction companies often show low near-term free cash flow during expansion phases because working capital and capex are front-loaded; the ratio may recover naturally as projects complete.

Analysts see 27% upside to their consensus target of approximately $425, giving MasTec one of the broader analyst conviction spreads in the industrials sector, even with quality concerns acknowledged.

Tripped→Stable
Sentiment
Expectation
The stock price rises above $400 (more than 7% above current $371.85) within 12 months as infrastructure spending sustains revenue.

CounterAnalyst targets in cyclical construction names often lag project cycle turns; if infrastructure spending slows, targets could be revised down before the stock re-rates.

Per-dimension breakdown

Value

7.8/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
P/E4.5
P/S9.7
EV/EBITDA3.9
Fwd P/E8.1
PEG9.8
Analyst target9.0
  • ▸Forward P/E: 14.6x
  • ▸PEG: 0.53
  • ▸Attractively valued

Quality

3.3/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
ROE5.4
ROA3.5
Gross margin0.0
Op margin2.2
Net margin1.5
Current ratio5.2
FCF quality0.0
Moat5.4
Piotroski F6.7
  • ▸Earnings quality RED FLAG: -12% FCF/NI
  • ▸No competitive moat

Growth

9.2/10data confidence 67%
ComponentSub-score
Rev growth8.3
EPS growth10.0
  • ▸Strong growth: 23% YoY

Momentum

3.7/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
RSI3.0
MACD0.0
OBV10.0
MA position1.5
Volume3.9
  • ▸Capitulation risk (RSI 18, below 200MA)
  • ▸Volume accumulation (rising OBV)
  • ▸Below 200-MA, MA slope flat

Sentiment

8.2/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
Analyst rating9.0
Price target10.0
erm sentiment4.9
  • ▸Analyst upside: 99%

Insider

6.2/10data confidence 75%
ComponentSub-score
materiality5.0
holder change6.5
notable moves7.0
  • ▸No net insider activity — $0 (0.000% of mkt cap)

Peer rank

4.9/10data confidence 80%
ComponentSub-score
value rank5.6
quality rank4.6
growth rank5.3

Technical

4.7/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
bollinger7.2
support resistance7.6
52w position0.0
gap4.0

Risk (lower is worse)

3.9/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
short interest6.5
days to cover7.9
volatility0.0
put call0.0
implied vol0.0
max pain risk7.0
beta3.9
debt equity5.6
  • ▸Elevated put/call: 13.46
  • ▸High IV: 83%

Catalyst

7.3/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
erm5.0
earnings history10.0
earnings timing5.0
surprise avg9.3
  • ▸Strong earnings: 3B/0M
  • ▸Earnings today

How the verdict was assembled

Engine trigger

Quality below minimum threshold.

Engine technical detail
verdict_path: L1:HARD_BLOCK:QUALITY_FLOOR
Passed (6)
  • ASYMMETRY:7.7>=1.5
  • INSIDER:OK
  • 8K:CLEAN
  • NEWS_EVENTS:NONE_RECENT
  • SEMI_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
  • MATERIALS_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
Failed (3)
  • MOMENTUM:3.7<4.5
  • DEATH_CROSS:HARD_BLOCK
  • EARNINGS_PROXIMITY:0d<=7d
Warning (0)

none

Reward-to-Risk
7.71
Upside
+79.1%
Downside
10.3%
Sizing output
AVOID

SetupFalling Knife — Death cross, below all MAs, RSI 18, MACD bearish

EdgeNo clear edge — No clear edge identified

SuitabilitySpeculative — Drawdown -59% (>40% off 52w high)

Investment implication

The SELL_IF_HOLDING verdict reflects the MOMENTUM gate's 3.7<4.5 outcome against Growth at 9.2 and asymmetric R:R of 7.71.

The strongest dimensions are Growth at 9.2, Sentiment at 8.2, and Value at 7.8; the weakest are Quality at 3.3, Momentum at 3.7, and Risk (lower is worse) at 3.9. The V9 engine flagged 3 failed gates, producing an asymmetric reward-to-risk of 7.71 and an engine sizing output of AVOID.

What would invalidate the thesis

Falsifying conditions — when triggered, the corresponding pillar's thesis is invalidated.

  • P1Revenue Growth Leadership

    Trip ifRevenue growth falls below 15% YoY for 2 consecutive quarters.

  • P2Earnings Beat Streak Perfect

    Trip ifEarnings miss consensus by more than 5% in any 1 of the next 4 quarters.

  • P3Quality Below Minimum Floor

    Trip ifFree cash flow as a percentage of net income remains below 10% for 2 consecutive quarters.

  • P4Analyst Conviction High UpsideTripped

    Trip ifAnalyst consensus price target declines below $380 (drops below current implied 27% upside spread).

Engine reasoning is mechanically derived from pipeline gate outputs. See decision view.

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