Strong Performance and Execution Lifted Willdan Group (WLDN) in Q1
Conestoga Capital Advisors, an asset management company, released its first-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets started the year with a rally due to optimism about a strong economy and expectations of moderating inflation and lower interest rates. However, concerns over slowing earnings from major Technology companies, geopolitical tensions, and an upcoming announcement on tariffs led to a sharp decline in equities by the end of the first quarter. Investors sought safety, driving U.S. Treasury yields down. The Conestoga Small Cap Composite returned -11.35% (net) in the first quarter compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index's -11.12% return. The Conestoga SMid Cap Composite returned -5.73% compared to the Russell 2500 Growth Index's -10.80% return. The Conestoga Micro-Cap Composite returned -8.24% vs the Russell Microcap Growth Index's return of -17.75%. Finally, the Conestoga Mid Cap Composite returned 0.96% (net), compared to the Russell Midcap Growth Index's -7.12% return. Please check the top 5 holdings of the fund for a better understanding of their best picks for 2025.
In its first-quarter 2025 investor letter, Conestoga Capital Advisors highlighted stocks such as Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN). Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) offers professional, technical, and consulting services that operates in Energy, and Engineering and Consulting segments. The one-month return of Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) was -3.06%, and its shares gained 40.40% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On April 29, 2025, Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) stock closed at $39.58 per share with a market capitalization of $573.799 million.
Conestoga Capital Advisors stated the following regarding Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:
"Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) provides professional technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry, and public agencies. WLDN reported Q4'24 results that exceeded expectations for revenue, earnings-per-share, and EBITDA. Guidance for 2025 was also above consensus views for all metrics. For 2024, both contract revenue and adjusted EBITDA were up year-over-year. Execution and performance were strong across all lines of business, leading to a record level of free cash flow. Recent acquisition announcements should also bolster growth opportunities over the next several years."
An engineer standing proudly in front of a high-rise building, a symbol of the company's excellence in construction.
Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 19 hedge fund portfolios held Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 13 in the third quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
In another article, we covered Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) and shared Conestoga Capital Advisors' views on the company in the previous quarter. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and A New Dawn Is Coming to US Stocks.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
26 minutes ago
- The Hill
Oil rises and US stock futures slip as markets react to US strike on Iran nuclear sites
NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil rose and U.S. stock futures fell as global markets react to the U.S. strike against nuclear targets in Iran. The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 2.6% to $79 a barrel. U.S. crude rose 2.6% to $75.76 a barrel. On Saturday, U.S. forces attacked three Iranian nuclear and military sites, further increasing the stakes in the war between Israel and Iran. Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%, while Nasdaq futures fell 0.5%. Treasury yields were little changed. The modest moves indicate markets are taking the latest development in stride. The conflict, which began with an Israeli attack against Iran on June 13, has sent oil prices yo-yoing, which has in turn caused see-saw moves for the U.S. stock market, because of rising and ebbing fears that the war could disrupt the global flow of crude. Iran is a major producer of oil and also sits on the narrow Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world's crude passes. An Iran retaliation that included closing off the waterway would be technically difficult to pull off but traders are afraid Iran could severely disrupt transit through it, sending insurance rates spiking and making shippers nervous to move without U.S. Navy escorts Some analysts think Iran is unlikely to close down the waterway because the country uses it to transport its own crude, mostly to China, and oil is a major source of revenue for the regime. 'It's a scorched earth possibility, a Sherman-burning-Atlanta move,' said Tom Kloza, chief market analyst at Turner Mason & Co. 'It's not probable.' Kloza thinks oil futures will ease back down after initial fears blow over. Ed Yardeni, a long-time analyst, agreed, writing in a report that Tehran leaders would likely hold back. 'They aren't crazy,' he wrote in a note to investors Sunday. 'The price of oil should fall and stock markets around the world should climb higher.' Other experts aren't so sure. Andy Lipow, a Houston analyst covering oil markets for 45 years, said countries are not always rational actors and that he wouldn't be surprised if Tehran lashed out for political or emotional reasons. 'If the Strait of Hormuz was completely shut down, oil prices would rise to $120 to $130 a barrel,' said Lipow, predicting that that would translate to about $4.50 a gallon at the pump and hurt consumers in other ways. 'It would mean higher prices for all those goods transported by truck, and it would be more difficult for the Fed to lower interest rates.'
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
2025 Travelers Championship Generates More Than $4 Million for Charity
HARTFORD, Conn., June 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) today announced that the 2025 Travelers Championship – a PGA TOUR Signature Event – generated more than $4 million for over 215 nonprofits, both record highs. Travelers also set a record this year as the longest-running title sponsor in the tournament's history. In the 19 years the company has been title sponsor, the Travelers Championship has generated tens of millions of dollars for charity. Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers, said, "This week truly captured what makes the Travelers Championship so special – world-class golf played before an enthusiastic crowd, all united by a shared purpose. It is a formula that led to a great week of golf and more money raised for charity than ever before. For 19 years, we have been honored to bring the PGA TOUR to Connecticut, and every year I am inspired by the passion of the players, the dedication of our fans and the incredible support from volunteers and partners who rally around our mission to give back. In addition to supporting vital charitable causes, we are proud that the tournament also generates significant economic activity for the state of Connecticut. Congratulations to our 2025 champion, Keegan Bradley, for rising to the top of one of the strongest fields in the game. We are already looking forward to making next year's tournament even more memorable." The Travelers Championship donates 100% of its net proceeds to nonprofits. This year's primary beneficiary is The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an organization based in Ashford, Connecticut, that provides a traditional summer camp experience for children with serious illnesses. Many other worthy charities – spanning arts and culture, education, health care, housing, human services, mental health, food insecurity, science and technology, and youth development – also benefit from their involvement with the Travelers Championship. Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers, said, "The Travelers Championship extends far beyond tournament week. We have created a community of fans that spans the region, and it is because of their support that we are able to make such an impact on so many charities, the true winners of the Travelers Championship. We are so grateful to the world's best PGA TOUR players for delivering another tremendous competition that we will all remember for some time." The 2026 Travelers Championship is scheduled to take place June 22-28 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. For more information, visit About Travelers The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of more than $46 billion in 2024. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media: Michael Whitmer, 860-277-2010mwhitmer@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business Wire
2025 Travelers Championship Generates More Than $4 Million for Charity
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) today announced that the 2025 Travelers Championship – a PGA TOUR Signature Event – generated more than $4 million for over 215 nonprofits, both record highs. Travelers also set a record this year as the longest-running title sponsor in the tournament's history. In the 19 years the company has been title sponsor, the Travelers Championship has generated tens of millions of dollars for charity. Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers, said, 'This week truly captured what makes the Travelers Championship so special – world-class golf played before an enthusiastic crowd, all united by a shared purpose. It is a formula that led to a great week of golf and more money raised for charity than ever before. For 19 years, we have been honored to bring the PGA TOUR to Connecticut, and every year I am inspired by the passion of the players, the dedication of our fans and the incredible support from volunteers and partners who rally around our mission to give back. In addition to supporting vital charitable causes, we are proud that the tournament also generates significant economic activity for the state of Connecticut. Congratulations to our 2025 champion, Keegan Bradley, for rising to the top of one of the strongest fields in the game. We are already looking forward to making next year's tournament even more memorable.' The Travelers Championship donates 100% of its net proceeds to nonprofits. This year's primary beneficiary is The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an organization based in Ashford, Connecticut, that provides a traditional summer camp experience for children with serious illnesses. Many other worthy charities – spanning arts and culture, education, health care, housing, human services, mental health, food insecurity, science and technology, and youth development – also benefit from their involvement with the Travelers Championship. Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers, said, 'The Travelers Championship extends far beyond tournament week. We have created a community of fans that spans the region, and it is because of their support that we are able to make such an impact on so many charities, the true winners of the Travelers Championship. We are so grateful to the world's best PGA TOUR players for delivering another tremendous competition that we will all remember for some time.' The 2026 Travelers Championship is scheduled to take place June 22-28 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. For more information, visit About Travelers
