Let’s dig into the relative performance of Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q3 government & technical consulting earnings season.

The sector has historically benefitted from steady government spending on defense, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance, providing firms long-term contract stability. However, the Trump administration is showing more willingness than previous administrations to upend government spending and bloat. Whether or not defense budgets get cut, the rising demand for cybersecurity, AI-driven defense solutions, and sustainability consulting should benefit the sector for years, as agencies and enterprises seek expertise in navigating complex technology and regulations. Additionally, industrial automation and digital engineering are driving efficiency gains in infrastructure and technical consulting projects, which could help profit margins.

The 7 government & technical consulting stocks we track reported a slower Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Luckily, government & technical consulting stocks have performed well with share prices up 11.8% on average since the latest earnings results.

Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH)

With roots dating back to 1914 and deep ties to nearly all U.S. cabinet-level departments, Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) provides management consulting, technology services, and cybersecurity solutions primarily to U.S. government agencies and military branches.

Booz Allen Hamilton reported revenues of $2.89 billion, down 8.1% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 4% since reporting and currently trades at $96.25.

Is now the time to buy Booz Allen Hamilton? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS)

Founded in 1894 as a response to the growing dangers of electricity in American homes and businesses, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) provides testing, inspection, and certification services that help companies ensure their products meet safety, security, and sustainability standards.

UL Solutions reported revenues of $783 million, up 7.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. The business had a very strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 2% since reporting. It currently trades at $77.01.

Is now the time to buy UL Solutions? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q3: ICF International (NASDAQ: ICFI)

Operating at the intersection of policy, technology, and implementation for over five decades, ICF International (NASDAQ: ICFI) provides professional consulting services and technology solutions to government agencies and commercial clients across energy, health, environment, and security sectors.

ICF International reported revenues of $465.4 million, down 10% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

ICF International delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 10.4% since the results and currently trades at $94.32.

Read our full analysis of ICF International’s results here.

SAIC (NASDAQ: SAIC)

With over five decades of experience supporting national security missions, Science Applications International Corporation (NASDAQ: SAIC) provides technical, engineering, and enterprise IT services primarily to U.S. government agencies and military branches.

SAIC reported revenues of $1.87 billion, down 5.6% year on year. This result met analysts’ expectations. It was a very strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

SAIC achieved the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is up 23.3% since reporting and currently trades at $107.96.

Read our full, actionable report on SAIC here, it’s free.

Amentum (NYSE: AMTM)

With operations spanning approximately 80 countries and a workforce of specialized engineers and technical experts, Amentum Holdings (NYSE: AMTM) provides advanced engineering and technology solutions to U.S. government agencies, allied governments, and commercial enterprises across defense, energy, and space sectors.

Amentum reported revenues of $3.93 billion, up 10.1% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 9%. More broadly, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a miss of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

Amentum delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 36.6% since reporting and currently trades at $34.65.

Read our full, actionable report on Amentum here, it’s free.

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