Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (J) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: JAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

J AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (J) is a global technical and professional services consulting firm with trailing twelve-month revenue of $14.22B. While annual revenue rose to $12.03B in FY2025, net income decreased to $290.2M. The stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 46.9x and a forward P/E of 16.9x.

Market cap
$16.51B
Revenue (TTM)
$14.22B
P/E
46.9x
fwd 16.9x
1Y return
-8.6%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$162.33
15.1% vs last close

Bull case

  • Revenue growth accelerated in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, rising 34.5% year-over-year.
  • The forward P/E ratio of 16.9x sits below the S&P 500 Industrials peer median of 20.7x, complemented by a low PEG ratio of 0.43.
  • Analysts project FY2026 EPS of $7.27, representing expected earnings expansion of 18.7% for the year.

Bear case

  • Annual net income dropped from $806.1M in FY2024 to $290.2M in FY2025, dragging net margin down to 2.4%.
  • Total debt stood at $4.05B as of June 30, 2026, resulting in net debt of $2.88B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.
  • The stock delivered a 1-year return of -8.6%, underperforming the broader S&P 500 return of 16.8%.

What Jacobs does

Jacobs Solutions Inc. specializes in consulting, technical, scientific, and project delivery services for government and commercial clients worldwide. Operating across the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, and other regions, it runs three key segments: Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, and PA Consulting. Its capabilities include cybersecurity, data analytics, systems integration, enterprise IT, and engineering design. It also delivers nuclear operations support, environmental remediation, maintenance services, construction management, and software development across sectors such as defense, transport, energy, and life sciences.

Growth and profitability

Over five fiscal years, annual revenue shifted from $14.09B in FY2021 to $12.03B in FY2025, resulting in a 5-year revenue CAGR of -2.4%. Gross margin stood at 24.8% in FY2025, with an operating margin of 7.2%. Net income fell from $806.1M in FY2024 to $290.2M in FY2025, lowering EPS to $6.13. For the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $14.22B with a profit margin of 2.4% and an operating margin of 7.4%. In the quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 34.5% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 25.4%.

J income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Jacobs held $1.18B in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $4.05B, resulting in net debt of $2.88B. Shareholders' equity was $3.26B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.29. In FY2025, operating cash flow was $686.7M and free cash flow was $607.5M. Capital expenditures totaled $79.2M, while the company returned capital through $754.1M in share buybacks and $153.0M in dividends paid, contributing to a -8.7% change in share count over 5 years.

J balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

Jacobs trades at a trailing P/E of 46.9x, which is above the median of its S&P 500 Industrials peers at 28.4x. However, its forward P/E of 16.9x sits below the peer median of 20.7x. Its price-to-sales multiple is 1.2x compared to the peer median of 3.3x, and EV-to-EBITDA is 21.4x versus 17.2x. Over the past year, Jacobs recorded a return of -8.6%, trailing the S&P 500 benchmark return of 16.8%. Over five years, the stock gained 32.8% compared to 83.0% for the index.

J key metrics →

J dividend

Jacobs pays a quarterly dividend with a forward annual payout of $1.44 per share, representing a dividend yield of 1.02%. The payout ratio stands at 20.4%, supported by 10 consecutive years of dividend payments. Over the past five years, the company has delivered an annualized dividend growth rate of 15.2%, with its most recent ex-dividend date on August 21, 2026.

J dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street analysts cover Jacobs with 7 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, and 6 Hold ratings, with zero Sell or Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $162.33, implying upside of 15.1% over the last close of $141.08. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, analysts estimate EPS of $7.27 and revenue of $15.02B. The company has beaten EPS expectations in 3 of the last 4 quarters, with its next earnings date scheduled for November 19, 2026.

J forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Operating margin of 7.4% over the trailing twelve months remains well below the S&P 500 Industrials median of 17.9%.
  • Quarterly earnings fell 25.4% year-over-year in the latest quarter despite revenue expansion.
  • The 5-year revenue CAGR from FY2020 to FY2025 stands at -2.4%, reflecting historical top-line contraction.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this J AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (J). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: J income statement, J balance sheet, J key metrics, J analyst forecast, J chart. See the J stock overview for the latest quote and news.

J AI stock analysis FAQ

What is Jacobs' dividend yield and payout schedule?

Jacobs offers an annual forward dividend of $1.44 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 1.02%. The dividend is paid quarterly with a payout ratio of 20.4%.

What is the consensus analyst price target for J stock?

The mean price target from analysts is $162.33, which is 15.1% above its last closing price of $141.08.

How much debt does Jacobs carry?

As of June 30, 2026, Jacobs had total debt of $4.05B and cash of $1.18B, leaving net debt at $2.88B with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.

When does Jacobs report its next quarterly earnings?

Jacobs is scheduled to report its next earnings on November 19, 2026.

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