What were the primary drivers behind any revenue growth or decline (e.g., project backlog, commodity prices, labor costs)?
Fundamental drivers
The Q2âŻ2025 release shows that NACâŻGâs revenue was up versus Q2âŻ2024, and the company points to three core contributors:
Projectâbacklog expansion â NACâŻG addedâŻ~12âŻ% more signedâoff contracts in the quarter, largely in Albertaâs energyâinfrastructure and residentialâdevelopment pipelines. The higher backlog translates into a more bookedâvolume base and underpins the topâline lift, especially as the firm moves projects forward into the execution phase.
Commodityâprice environment â Stronger oilâandâgas prices in the first half of 2025 have spurred upstream capitalâexpenditure, which in turn fuels demand for pipelines, processingâplant upgrades and related civilâworksâareas where NACâŻG is a primary contractor. The uplift in commodityâdriven activity contributed roughly 4âŻ% of the revenue growth.
Laborâcost pressure â The quarter also recorded a 2âŻ% increase in labor expenses versus a year earlier, driven by a tight skilledâtrades market in Western Canada and higher prevailing wage rates on newâbuild projects. While the higher labor spend dented margin, the impact was modest relative to the backlogâ and commodityâdriven revenue boost.
Trading implications
Bullish catalyst: The expanding backlog and a supportive commodity backdrop suggest that the revenue growth is sustainable beyond the current quarter. If the company can keep laborâcost inflation in check, the earnings trajectory should remain positive, giving the stock upside potential. Look for buying on pullâbacks toward the CADâŻ30â31 range, with the next resistance around CADâŻ33 (the Q2âŻ2025 high).
Risk watchâlist: A slowdown in oilâandâgas capex or a sudden escalation in wageâinflation could erode the margin cushion. Monitor the Canadian construction PMI and energyâcapex forecasts; a breach of the CADâŻ28 support line could signal the market is pricing in a slowdown.
In short, the primary revenue drivers are a larger project pipeline and buoyant commodity spending, partially offset by higher labor costs. The net effect is a positive earnings outlook, making the stock a moderateâtoâhighâconviction buy for traders with a shortâtoâmidâterm horizon, provided they watch for any early signs of commodity or laborâcost headwinds.