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WSP Global Inc.WSP.TOHOLDDec 10, 2025Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Aug 25, 2026. Market Open.
Chart shows how prudent it is to take $$ off the table when you've made some profit. Then try to find the next really good opportunity to build wealth. If you don't trim along the way, the outsized weight will swing your portfolio around every time the stock moves.
Sees upside and would buy it here. Is global with only 20% of operations in Canada. AI has been an overhand with a false belief that AI will replace some of WSP's services. WSP partners with Microsoft to do some of their AI tools. WSP is using AI to increase productivity. They are disciplined in companies they buy, including two recent ones to raise their profile in the power industry in the U.S.
Absurd to think ChapGPT can replace a professional engineer. Earnings grew 22% compared to last year. Segment with fastest organic growth is probably power/energy. Big acquisition in February has really bolstered growth stateside, trying to make another in Europe. High margins. At 15x PE, massive discount to 5-year average of 25x.
Still one of the highest-quality infrastructure companies in Canada. Long-term themes of power, electrification, transportation, and AI-driven data centre construction. They do the design and engineering, not the building. Strong, diversified business. Record backlog.
Upside will come, though may take a while. It's going to be leading edge through AI. Ranks 10/10 on fundamentals.
(Note the shortish timeframe.) Despite AI fears, he feels that engineering might be spared and especially this company. Accountability in its core business is still important, and AI can't give you that. Lower share price makes acquisitions tougher. Organic growth profile has slumped a bit, and he'll be watching to see if it's turned the corner. Overnight, announced an increased bid for a European company, and stock's down 8-9% on that.
On his watchlist. Reports August 5.
It's come off its highs, partly due to AI disruption fears, but he doesn't see software headwind risks. It benefits some from AI data centre construction. Is a solid executor. WSP hasn't found its bottom yet, but should happen soon as money rotates out of AI names. WSP should stabilize, then future quarters and earnings will prove that AI are not impacting the company.
Both good companies. To choose is a difficult choice, you'd have to make a call on their respective industries. As well, is the industry structurally challenged by AI -- those concerns are very much overblown.
WSP is exceptionally well run, with an exceptional CEO. STN is the same. Despite AI concerns, business models remain intact. AI will bring some changes in monetization of activities, and has already bettered their businesses. You can't do what they do via AI alone, it's much more complex.
He'd own both in equal weight.
We are still confident in WSP's long-term potential, and its large backlog does add some visibility to growth. Catalysts will be earnings and acquisitions. At least 15% earnings growth is expected next year. We would be comfortable holding the stock. That being said, companies like CLS, SHOP and PNG have better growth and momenutm. But they are also (much) more volatile. We think the banks are fine, but we would not expect the same degree of returns as they have had this year. We would make any decision here on sector allocations, rather than a straight-up swap which could change the risk of a portfolio. If another sector is under-represented we would be OK with a switch for portfolio management purposes, but we would still not view WSP as a SELL.
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