10/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2026 02:22
For questions about this article or underlying research, email [email protected].
EMCOR (EME) stock has dropped 19.1% since its October 6 high, a fall that tempts buyers. The stock's chance of a 50% rally from $666.36 depends on the company keeping its growth in data center work and the stock repeating its rebounds from past drops of this size. Following those declines, the stock's best price within a year sat a median 64.4% above the dip-day price. How many of those drops left buyers ahead a year later?
How Often Did EMCOR Buyers Come Out Ahead?
EMCOR stock has fallen more than 20% within 30 trading days five times since 2010. Buyers came out ahead after all four drops that have a full year behind them. The latest of these declines, in July 2026, remains too recent to judge. One year after each of the other four, the shares traded higher, climbing by a median 60.5% and by 23% in the weakest case.
Buyers had to wait for those gains. During the year following a typical drop, the stock fell to a lowest close a median 15.1% below its close on the day of the decline. The shares hit their best price a median 334 days, about 11 months, after the drop. Three of those four past declines occurred while the S&P 500 fell 13% or more. The market has seen no such sell-off this time: the index rose 0.6% over the month to October 27.
| Time after a past dip | Past dips with that much time after them | Median EME price change |
|---|---|---|
| 21 trading days | 5 | -5.0% |
| 63 trading days | 5 | 10.0% |
| 126 trading days | 4 | 40.5% |
| 252 trading days | 4 | 60.5% |
| Dip date | EME price change over the 30 trading days to the dip date | SPY price change over the same days | EME price change 252 trading days after the dip date | Highest price in those 252 trading days, against the dip-date price | Calendar days to that highest price | Lowest price in those 252 trading days, against the dip-date price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-29 | -20.1% | -3.0% | window not complete | window not complete | window not complete | window not complete |
| 2025-03-03 | -22.6% | -1.0% | 82.0% | 105.8% | 354 | -13.6% |
| 2020-03-11 | -21.7% | -16.0% | 68.0% | 68.1% | 365 | -28.1% |
| 2018-12-21 | -23.4% | -14.0% | 53.0% | 60.8% | 313 | -1.0% |
| 2011-08-10 | -21.8% | -13.0% | 23.0% | 38.4% | 177 | -16.7% |
| Median of 4 complete windows | - | - | 60.5% | 64.4% | 334 | -15.1% |
EMCOR Is Still Growing On Data Center Work
EMCOR reported a 19.8% year-over-year revenue increase in the second quarter of 2026. On the July 30 call, management said demand led by data centers remains exceptionally strong.
The company's contracted work still to be done grew faster than its sales, reaching $17.14 billion at the end of June. That marks a 44% increase from a year earlier. Management also raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $20.3 billion at the midpoint, up from $18.9 billion in April. On earnings, buyers currently pay less for that growth than they do for the broader market: EMCOR shares trade at 20.6 times trailing earnings, against 22.6 for the S&P 500.
Is EMCOR Giving Up Margin Or Cash To Grow?
EMCOR is giving up some margin in mechanical construction, and its cash has not kept pace with its sales. The mechanical construction business recorded a 12.5% operating margin in the June quarter, a drop of 1.1 percentage points from a year earlier. Management said that figure is in line with its average over the past two years. Management tied the margin decline to an increase in cost-plus contracts and to a higher volume of projects where EMCOR serves as construction manager or prime contractor. They said this shift is showing up in AI data center work.
Across the company, management's guidance does not assume a repeat of the second quarter's 10.6% operating margin. Cash from operations stood at $1.29 billion over the twelve months to June, compared with $1.3 billion a year earlier, even as revenue grew. Management pointed to the working capital that growth requires. Priced on that cash, EMCOR shares cost 22.9 times, against 15.2 for the S&P 500.
Buying now means expecting EMCOR stock to match its performance following its four older drops, and expecting the company to keep growing on data center work without giving up more margin and cash. The stock's rebounds have held after each of those older declines, most of which occurred as the broader market fell. EMCOR's growth has held through June, and its company-wide operating margin rose to 10.6% from 9.6% a year earlier. The weaker spots are mechanical construction's margin and cash. EMCOR is expected to report its third quarter on October 29, and its operating margin in that report is the figure to watch.
Does This Mean You Should Act On EME?
Our purpose is to inform you with unique data so you make the right investment decisions. That said, betting on a single stock is always risky, no matter which direction you choose.
There is a smarter approach. Since its inception, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio has returned 105%, beating the benchmark that combines the three major indices - the S&P 500, S&P Mid-cap, and Russell 2000. And it did so without taking the concentrated risk that comes with do-it-yourself stock picking. If that is how you want to invest, the HQ Portfolio is the place to start.
Spot an error or want more like this? Tell us in 10 seconds.