Free cash flow
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. Free cash flow decreased by 8.6% to $145.94M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 118.0%, from $66.96M to $145.94M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 34.1% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $42.46M | $27.09M | $15.85M | $11.60M | $1.43M | $77.31M | $67.87M | $34.84M | $107.41M | $139.72M | $132.23M | $27.16M | $92.09M | $138.27M | $158.62M | $66.96M | $72.09M | $63.97M | $159.66M | $145.94M |
| QoQ Change | — | -36.2% | -41.5% | -26.8% | -87.7% | >999% | -12.2% | -48.7% | +208.3% | +30.1% | -5.4% | -79.5% | +239.1% | +50.1% | +14.7% | -57.8% | +7.7% | -11.3% | +149.6% | -8.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -96.6% | +185.4% | +328.1% | +200.3% | >999% | +80.7% | +94.8% | -22.0% | -14.3% | -1.0% | +20.0% | +146.5% | -21.7% | -53.7% | +0.7% | +118.0% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.'s free cash flow?
- Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) reported free cash flow of $145.94M in Q1 2026.
- How has Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.'s free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.'s free cash flow increased by 118.0% year-over-year, from $66.96M to $145.94M.
- What is the long-term trend for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.'s free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.'s free cash flow has grown at a 34.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $112.28M to $362.68M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.