STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. - Quarter Report: 2006 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2006

þ		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                     to                     

STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization		25-1655321 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
20810 Fernbush Lane
Houston, TX 77073		77073
(Address of principal executive office)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (281) 821-9091

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed from last report)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days                                                                                       þ Yes o No

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer þ

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)         o Yes þ No

     As of May 1, 2006, 10,499,808 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share were issued and outstanding

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2006 (unaudited) and December 31, 2005			3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (unaudited) and March 31, 2005 (unaudited)			4
Condensed consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (unaudited)			5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (unaudited) and March 31, 2005 (unaudited)			6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)			7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative disclosure about Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

		March 31,				December
		2006				31,
		(Unaudited)				2005
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	35,419			$	22,267
Contracts receivable			38,675				34,912
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts			2,346				2,199
Deferred tax asset			5,240				4,224
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale			11,699				8,969
Other			1,045				1,056
Total current assets			94,424				73,627
Property and equipment, net			35,266				27,271
Goodwill			12,735				12,735
Deferred tax asset, net			1,705				4,288
Other assets			520				534
			14,960				17,557
Total assets		$	144,650			$	118,455
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			19,720				20,416
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts			13,985				13,635
Short-term debt, related parties			—				8,449
Current maturities of long term obligations			123				123
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale			10,966				8,385
Other accrued expenses			3,567				4,265
Total current liabilities			48,361				55,273
Long-term obligations:
Long-term debt			16,000				13,788
Other long-term obligations			747				782
			16,747				14,570
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 1,000,000 shares, none issued
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 14,000,000 shares, 10,498,808 and 8,165,123 shares issued			105				82
Additional paid-in capital			110,536				82,822
Accumulated deficit			(31,099	)			(34,292	)
Total stockholders’ equity			79,542				48,612
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	144,650			$	118,455

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

		Three months				Three months
		ended				ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2006				2005
Revenues		$	56,480			$	39,413
Cost of revenues			49,794				36,055
Gross profit			6,686				3,358
General and administrative expenses, net			2,309				1,980
Net interest income (expense)			186				(475	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes			4,563				903
Income taxes			1,541				307
Net income from continuing operations			3,022				596
Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $102 and $94, respectively			171				231
Net income		$	3,193			$	827
Basic net income per share:
Net income from continuing operations		$	0.30			$	0.08
Net income from discontinued operations		$	0.02			$	0.03
Net income per share		$	0.32			$	0.11
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing basic per share amounts			10,002,088				7,389,499
Diluted net income per share:
Net income from continuing operations		$	0.27			$	0.06
Net income from discontinued operations		$	0.01			$	0.02
Diluted net income per share		$	0.28			$	0.08
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing diluted per share amounts			11,266,294				9,283,485

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

						Additional
		Common				Paid-in				Accumulated
		Stock				Capital				Deficit				Total
Balance at December 31, 2005		$	82			$	82,822				($34,292	)		$	48,612
Net income											3,193				3,193
Stock issued upon option /warrant exercise			3				492								495
Stock issued in equity offering, net of expenses			20				27,039								27,059
Deferred compensation expense							183								183
Balance at March 31, 2006		$	105			$	110,536				($31,099	)		$	79,542

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

		Three				Three
		months				months
		ended				ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2006				2005
Net income		$	3,193			$	827
Net income from discontinued operations			171				231
Net income from continuing operations			3,022				596
Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			1,804				1,233
Gain on sale of property and equipment			(118	)			(131	)
Deferred tax expense			1,541				307
Deferred compensation expense			183				53
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in contracts receivable			(3,763	)			(4,752	)
(Increase) decrease in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts			(147	)			128
Decrease in prepaid expense and other assets			217				216
(Decrease) increase in trade payables			(696	)			5,292
Increase in billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts			350				2,611
(Decrease) increase in accrued compensation and other liabilities			(650	)			1,573
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities			1,743				7,126
Cash flows from continuing operations investing activities:
Purchase of certain assets of RDI			(2,206	)			—
Additions to property and equipment			(7,860	)			(3,000	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			193				164
Net cash used in continuing operations investing activities			(9,873	)			(2,836	)
Cash flows from continuing operations financing activities:
Cumulative daily drawdowns – revolvers			16,000				27,370
Cumulative daily reductions – revolvers			(13,788	)			(34,031	)
Repayments under long-term obligations			(8,484	)			(1,063	)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to warrants and options			495				515
Net proceeds from sale of common stock			27,059				—
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations financing activities:			21,282				(7,209	)
Cash used in discontinued operating activities			(347	)			(36	)
Cash used for discontinued operations investing activities			(34	)			—
Cash provided by discontinued operations financing activities			328				443
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations			(53	)			407
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations			13,152				(2,919	)

		Three				Three
		months				months
		ended				ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2006				2005
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			22,267				3,449
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	35,419			$	530
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest		$	169			$	647
Cash paid during the period for taxes		$	7				—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006 (UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (Sterling or the Company), without audit, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at March 31, 2006 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnoted disclosures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been either condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. Interim results may be subject to significant seasonal variations and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

     The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries in which the Company has a greater than 50% ownership interest, and all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For all years presented, the Company had no subsidiaries with ownership interests less than 50%.

     The Company owns two subsidiaries; Sterling Houston Holdings, Inc. and Steel City Products, LLC. Sterling Houston Holdings, Inc. is a 99% limited partner of Texas Sterling Construction Company, LP, a Texas limited partnership that operates the Company’s construction business based in Houston, Texas, and that was, in a different form, the predecessor of Sterling Houston Holdings. For ease of reference, Sterling Houston Holdings, Inc. and Texas Sterling Construction, L.P. are referred to collectively as “Construction” or “TSC” and Steel City Products, LLC is referred to as “Distribution” or “SCPL”.

     The Company’s primary business consists of the operations of TSC. In August 2005, management identified Distribution, based in McKeesport, Pennsylvania as held for sale and accordingly has reclassified its condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods to separately present Distribution as discontinued operations.

Company Website

     The Company maintains a website at www.sterlingconstructionco.com. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website, access to its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, proxy statements, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those filings, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files those materials with, or furnishes those materials to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company makes its web site content available for informational purposes only. The web site content should not be relied upon for investment purposes.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The statement was issued to clarify the application of FASB Statement No. 133 to beneficial interests in securitized financial assets and to improve the consistency of accounting for similar financial instruments, regardless of the form of the instruments. The Company has evaluated the new statement and determined that the potential impact on its financial statements would not be material.

     In March 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. This statement was issued to simplify the accounting for servicing rights and to reduce the volatility that results from using different measurement attributes. The Company has evaluated the new statement and has determined that it will not have a significant impact on the determination or reporting of its financial results.

3. Critical Accounting Policies

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience; however actual amounts could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

     On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), as more fully described in Note 6 to the financial statements.

4 Property and Equipment

(dollars in thousands)		March 31, 2006
		(Unaudited)				December 31, 2005
Construction equipment		$	43,448			$	35,663
Transportation equipment			6,461				5,204
Buildings			1,488				1,488
Leasehold improvements			504				490
Land			182				182
			52,083				43,027
Less accumulated depreciation			(16,817	)			(15,756	)
		$	35,266			$	27,271

5. Income Per Share

     Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed giving effect to all potential dilutive common stock and warrants using the treasury stock method. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per common share computations for net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005 (in thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited):

		Three months				Three months
		ended				ended
		March 31, 2006				March 31, 2005
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations, as reported		$	3,022			$	596
Net income from discontinued operations, as reported			171				231
Net income		$	3,193			$	827
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic			10,002				7,389
Shares for dilutive stock options and warrants			1,264				1,894
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions – diluted			11,266				9,283

		Three months				Three months
		ended				ended
		March 31, 2006				March 31, 2005
Basic earnings per common share:
From continuing operations		$	0.30			$	0.08
From discontinued operations		$	0.02			$	0.03
Total:		$	0.32			$	0.11
Diluted earnings per common share:
From continuing operations:		$	0.27			$	0.06
From discontinued operations:		$	0.01			$	0.02
Total:		$	0.28			$	0.08

6. Stock-Based Compensation

     The Company has five stock option plans which are administered by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors. In general, the plans provide for all grants to be issued with an exercise price the same as the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The term of the grant may not exceed 10 years. Stock options generally vest over a three to five year period. Note 10 – Stock Options and Warrants in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 should be referred to for additional information regarding the stock-based incentive plans.

     Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R), using the modified prospective transition method and therefore has not restated financial results for prior periods. Since January 2003, the Company has accounted for its stock based compensation under the provisions of SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure”, which amended SFAS No. 123 that provided alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method. Because the Company had utilized the fair value method for expensing stock options in the past several years, the impact of the transition to SFAS 123(R) at January 1, 2006 of the unvested options was immaterial. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of its stock option grants. Forfeitures of stock options have historically been immaterial to the Black-Scholes calculation. There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

     In November 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123(R)-3 (“FSP 123(R)-3”), “Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards”. FSP 123(R)-3 provides an elective alternative transition method for calculating the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123(R). Companies may take up to one year from the effective date of FSP 123(R)-3 to evaluate the available transition alternatives and make a one-time election as to which method to adopt. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the alternative methods.

     Pre-tax option compensation expense was $183,000 ($121,000 after tax effects of 33.8%) and $53,000 ($35,000 after tax effects of 34%) for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively

     Aggregated stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows (unaudited):

										Weighted
						Weighted				average
						average				remaining				Aggregate
		Number of				exercise				contractual				intrinsic value
		shares				price				term (in years)				(in thousands)
Outstanding at 1/1/06			1,226,067			$	2.56
Granted			—
Exercised			186,692			$	1.49
Other			—
Outstanding at 3/31/06			1,039,375			$	2.75				5.42			$	19,685
Exercisable at 3/31/06			755,157			$	1.58				5.24			$	15,184

     The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on March 31, 2006 ($21.69) and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2006. Proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of options for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $279,000. As of March 31, 2006, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $823,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.1 years. As of March 31, 2006 there were 24,880 shares of common stock available under the 2001 plan for issuance pursuant to future stock option grants.

     Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123 (R), all tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options were presented as operating cash flows in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. SFAS 123(R) requires that cash flows from the exercise of stock options resulting from tax benefits in excess of recognized cumulative compensation cost (excess tax benefits) be classified as financing cash flows. Because the Company has not fully utilized its net operating loss carryforwards, the tax benefit cannot be recorded until it can be realized. In the first quarter of 2006, approximately $850,000 of tax benefit will be available to be realized in the future.

7. Discontinued operations

     Recognizing the strong growth of Construction’s business, where management’s efforts and the Company’s resources are likely to be best employed in the future, and following expressions of interest from potential buyers of SCPL, management has identified SCPL as held for sale and accordingly, has reclassified its condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods to separately state Distribution as discontinued operations.

     Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is presented below:

(in thousands) (unaudited)		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2006				2005
Net sales		$	5,821			$	6,536
Income before income taxes			273				325
Income taxes			102				94
Income from discontinued operations		$	171			$	231

     The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations:

(in thousands)		March 31,				December 31,
		2006				2005
		(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets		$	11,040			$	8,286
Deferred tax asset, current			306				312
Total current assets			11,346				8,598
Property, plant and equipment, net			223				210
Goodwill			128				128
Deferred tax asset, long-term			—				30
Other assets			2				3
		$	11,699			$	8,969
Liabilities
Current liabilities		$	10,880			$	8,326
Deferred tax liability, current			33				—
Total current liabilities			10,913				8,326
Long-term obligations, net of current portion			53				59
		$	10,966			$	8,385
Net assets of discontinued operations		$	733			$	584

     The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations have all been classified as current in the consolidated balance sheet, as disposal is expected to occur in less than one year. The disposal is not expected to result in a loss.

8. Purchase of certain assets of Rathole Drilling, Inc.

     In January 2006, TSC acquired certain assets of the crane division of Rathole Drilling, Inc. (“RDI”). The acquisition included the purchase of construction equipment at its appraised value of approximately $2.0 million, the trade name RDI and the assumption by TSC of certain RDI contracts totaling $0.2 million. TSC paid cash for the acquired assets of $2.2 million. The size of the acquisition and the amount of assets acquired were not material in relation to the Company’s overall business. No goodwill was recorded for the acquisition of the RDI business.

9. Equity offering

     In January 2006 the Company completed a public offering of approximately 2.0 million shares of its common stock at $15.00 per share. D.A. Davidson & Co. was the managing underwriter. The Company received proceeds, net of underwriting commissions, of approximately $27.9 million ($13.95 per share) and paid approximately $887,000 in related offering expenses. In addition, the Company received approximately $484,000 from the exercise by third parties of 321,758 shares of warrants and options which were sold by those third parties in the offering. From the proceeds of the offering, the Company repaid all its outstanding related party promissory notes in January 2006. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company utilized a portion of the offering proceeds to purchase additional capital equipment for the construction business and to replenish funds used for the acquisition of RDI. A reconciliation of the use of proceeds is as follows (in thousands, except share data) (unaudited):

Shares issued upon completion of equity offering			2,003,263
Shares issued to selling shareholders for option/warrant exercise			321,758
Proceeds received from sale of securities		$	30,049
Less:
Underwriters’ commission			($2,103	)
Expenses (legal, printing, etc.)			($887	)

Net proceeds		$	27,059
Proceeds received from exercise of options/warrants by selling shareholders		$	484
Total proceeds received		$	27,543
Use of proceeds:
Repayment of related party 5-year 12% notes		$	8,449
Purchase of assets of RDI		$	2,206
Purchase of construction equipment		$	1,834
Total spent through March 31, 2006		$	12,489
Balance retained in working capital		$	15,054

10. Subsequent Event

     In April, 2006, the terms of the existing TSC bank revolving line of credit were renegotiated to provide for an increase in the line from $17.0 million to $35.0 million, subject to a borrowing base. The line will be renewed for a term of three years maturing in 2009 and will continue to be secured by the machinery and equipment of TSC. The facility will be modified to add Sterling Construction Company, Inc. as a co-borrower. The interest rate may vary quarterly, based on the Company’s ratio of debt to tangible net worth. The facility will continue to be subject to restrictive covenants including the maintenance of certain financial ratios and tangible net worth. Closing on the new line of credit is expected during the Company’s second quarter. In addition, the bank will provide the Company with a long-term loan of up to $1.5 million repayable over 15 years to finance the expansion of the Company’s office building and maintenance facilities in Houston, Texas.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

     This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements may be included throughout this report, including in the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and relate to matters such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information. We use the words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “future” and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements in this report.

     Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations regarding future events, results or outcomes. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect. In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

     Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from our expectations due to a variety of factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these factors, they include, among others, the following:

	•		changes in general economic conditions or reductions in government funding for infrastructure services;
	•		adverse economic conditions in our core markets in Texas;
	•		delays or difficulties related to the completion of our projects, including additional costs, reductions in revenues or the payment of liquidated damages;
	•		actions of suppliers, subcontractors, customers, competitors and others which are beyond our control;
	•		the effects of estimates inherent in our percentage-of-completion accounting policies;
	•		possible cost escalations associated with our fixed-price contracts;
	•		our dependence on a few significant customers;
	•		adverse weather conditions;
	•		the presence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive services and pricing; and
	•		our ability to successfully identify, integrate and complete acquisitions;

     Potential investors are urged to consider these factors and the other factors described under “Risk Factors” (below) carefully in evaluating any forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and

expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements that we make in this report are reasonable, we can provide no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.

     Any forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update any information contained in this report or to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or that we become aware of, after the date of this report, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Overview

     We are a leading heavy civil construction company based in Houston that specializes in the building, rebuilding and repair of transportation and water infrastructure in large and growing markets in Texas This business is conducted by Texas Sterling Construction Company, L.P. and is referred to in this report as “TSC” or “Construction”. Our transportation infrastructure projects include highways, roads, bridges and light rail, and our water infrastructure projects include water, wastewater and storm drainage systems. We provide general contracting services primarily to public sector clients utilizing our own workforce and equipment for excavating, paving, pipe installation and concrete placement. We purchase the necessary materials for our projects and generally engage subcontractors only for ancillary services.

     Our smaller distribution business is conducted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the name “Steel City Products” (“SCPL” or “Distribution”). Recognizing the strong growth of Construction’s business, where management’s efforts and the Company’s resources are likely to be best employed in the future, and following expressions of interest from potential buyers of SCPL, we have identified the business of SCPL as held for sale and accordingly, have reclassified the condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods to reflect SCPL as discontinued operations.

Material Changes in Financial Condition

     At March 31, 2006, there had been no material changes in the Company’s financial condition since December 31, 2005, as discussed in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, except for the sale of our common stock in January, 2006 and related use of proceeds, as described in Note 9.

Results of Operations

Three months ended March 31, 2006 compared with three months ended March 31, 2005

(dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited):		2006				2005				% change
Revenues		$	56,480			$	39,413				43.3	%
Gross profit			6,686				3,358				99.1	%
Gross margin			11.8	%			8.5	%			39.0	%
General and administrative expenses			2,309				1,980				16.6	%
Operating income			4,377				1,378				217.9	%
Operating margin			7.7	%			3.5	%			121.8	%
Interest income (expense), net			186				(475	)			N/A
Income from continuing operations, before taxes			4,563				903				405.9	%
Income taxes			1,541				307				402.0	%
Net income from continuing operations			3,022				596				407.9	%
Net income from discontinued operations			171				231				(26.0	%)
Net income		$	3,193			$	827				286.1	%

Revenues Revenues increased approximately $17.0 million compared with the first quarter of the prior year, due to increases in volume from a higher backlog at the beginning of the respective periods. We also significantly expanded our equipment fleet and our workforce grew from approximately 700 employees in the first quarter of the prior year to over 850 in the current year. These factors, among others, have allowed us to recognize greater efficiencies and productivity on our construction projects. The revenue increase was achieved despite unexpected delays in January and February in starting several contracts due to factors outside the Company’s control. We did not encounter any significant adverse weather in the first quarter of this year or last.

     Gross profit The doubling of gross profits was due to the substantial revenue increase, combined with higher gross margins. The margin improvement is attributable principally to a better margin mix in backlog resulting from the improving bidding climate since 2004 and efficiencies resulting from the higher revenue levels achieved this year.

     Backlog At the end of the first quarter our backlog of construction projects was $346 million, compared with $307 million at the beginning of fiscal 2006. In the first quarter, we added new contracts in excess of $95 million.

     General and administrative expenses, net of other income and expense General and administrative expenses, net, increased by $0.3 million compared with the prior year due primarily to incentive stock option expense, variable compensation expense related to profitability, and to a combination of additional personnel, higher payroll related benefits and taxes and regular salary increases.

     Operating income The increase in operating income resulted from the increased gross profit which far exceeded the increase in administrative costs.

     Interest income and expense In the first quarter of 2006, interest income increased by $269,000 compared with the prior year period. The increase was due to interest earned on the unutilized portion of the equity offering proceeds, as well as higher cash balances resulting from proceeds received in the mobilization phase of certain contracts. Interest expense in the first quarter of 2006 decreased by $392,000 compared with the prior year due to the repayment of related party notes in January 2006 and to lower average revolving credit balances throughout the quarter.

     Income taxes Our effective income tax rate was 33.8% and 34% for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s federal income taxes are largely sheltered by net operating loss carryforwards.

     Net income from continuing operations The increase in our net income from continuing operations was due to the increase in operating income combined with net interest income.

     Discontinued operations, net of tax. Discontinued operations represent the results of operations of our distribution business which is operated by SCPL. Net of interest expense of $86,000 and income taxes of $102,000, SCPL reported income of $171,000 in the current year first quarter, compared with $231,000 last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales in the first quarter, resulting from a milder winter compared with the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

     The following table sets forth our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005.

		Three months ended
		March 31,
(in thousands) (unaudited)		2006				2005
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	35,419			$	530
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations:
Operating activities			1,743				7,126
Investing activities			(9,873	)			(2,836	)
Financing activities			21,282				(7,209	)
		$	13,152			($	2,919	)
Cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations			(53	)			407
Capital expenditures of continuing operations		$	9,860			$	3,000
Working capital at end of period		$	46,063			$	9,665

Operating activities

     Significant non-cash items included in operating activities are:

     • depreciation and amortization, which for the first quarter this year totaled $1.8 million, an increase of $0.6 million from last year, as a result of an increase in the size of our construction fleet in 2005 and 2006;

     • deferred tax expense, which increased by $1.2 million due to the significant increase in operating income.

     The significant components of the changes in working capital are as follows:

     • billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts increased by $0.3 million this year, whereas last year there was an increase of $2.6 million. These changes principally reflect fluctuations in the timing of progress billings and costs incurred;

     • trade payables, which decreased by $0.7 million this year, compared with an increase of $5.3 million last year; these variations resulted from changes in the volume of materials and sub-contractors in the respective periods;

     • contracts receivable increased $3.8 million this year, compared with an increase of $4.8 million last year, principally reflecting revenue increases and the related level of customer retentions.

Investing activities

     Expenditures for the replacement of certain equipment and to expand our construction fleet, including $2.0 million for the capital equipment of RDI (see Note 8), totaled $9.9 million in the first three months of 2006, compared with $3.0 million of equipment purchases last year. .

Financing activities

     Net of expenses, funds generated by the offering of common stock in January 2006 totaled approximately $27.0 million, and proceeds received from the exercise of options and warrants in the first quarter totaled $495,000. In addition, related party 12% promissory notes in the amount of $8.5 million were prepaid in full during the first quarter.

Liquidity

     The level of working capital for our construction business varies due to fluctuations in the levels of cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings, and of billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings, based in part on revenue levels; the size and status of contract mobilization payments, of customer receivables and of contract retentions; and the level of amounts owed to suppliers and sub-contractors. Some of these fluctuations can be significant.

     We believe that our current cash balances and the borrowing capacity available under our revolving line of credit, combined with cash expected to be generated from operations, will be sufficient to provide us with short-term and foreseeable long-term liquidity and to enable us to meet expected capital expenditure requirements.

Sources of Capital

     In addition to cash provided from operations, we use our revolving line of credit to finance working capital needs and capital expenditures.

     We have a three-year revolving line of credit, maturing in June 2007, with Comerica Bank providing for a maximum line of $17.0 million, subject to a borrowing base. The line of credit carries interest at the lender’s prime rate, subject to achievement of certain financial targets and is secured by the equipment and real estate owned by TSC. At March 31, 2006, the interest rate payable under the line of credit was 7.75%. At March 31, 2006, we had cash and cash equivalents of $35.4 million and unused availability under the line of credit of $1.0 million. By the terms of the revolver, we are required to maintain financial covenants of debt, current and cash flow coverage ratios and at March 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all of these covenants. In April 2006, our line of credit was renegotiated, as described in Note 10 to the financial statements.

Risk Factors

     The Company is subject to various risks and uncertainties. Many factors affect the bidding climate, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in the Texas economy, the amount of local, state and federal government funds available for infrastructure upgrade and new construction, as well as the number of bidders in the market and the prices at which they are prepared to bid, which are in turn affected by such bidders’ profitability, financial viability and contract backlogs. Factors outside the bidding climate include, but are not limited to: (a) weather conditions, such as precipitation and temperature, which can result in significant variability in quarterly revenues and earnings, particularly in the first and fourth quarters; (b) the availability of bonding, the absence of which would adversely affect our ability to obtain new contracts; (c) the extent to which our self-insurance plans experience abnormal losses; (d) our dependence upon subcontractors and third party suppliers of materials; (e) the price and availability of petroleum products, steel, cement and other construction materials (including, for example, recent market shortages of aggregates and cement), which can significantly fluctuate and impact operating expense; (f) the availability of heavy construction equipment, and (g) the availability of qualified management, supervisory and field personnel.

Inflation

     We do not believe that inflation has had a material negative impact on our operations or financial results during recent years, although increases in oil prices have recently affected the costs of operating our construction fleet and will affect transportation costs and some material costs.

Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure about Market Risk

     We are exposed to certain market risks from transactions that are entered into during the normal course of business. Our primary market risk exposure is related to changes in interest rates. We manage our interest rate risk by balancing in part our exposure to fixed and variable interest rates while attempting to minimize interest costs.

     Financial derivatives are used as part of our overall risk management strategy. These instruments are used to manage risk related to changes in interest rates. The Company’s portfolio of derivative financial instruments consists of interest rate swap agreements, which are used to convert variable interest rate obligations to fixed interest rate obligations, thereby reducing the exposure to increases in interest rates. Amounts paid or received under interest rate swap agreements are accrued as interest rates fluctuate, with the offset recorded in interest expense.

     An increase of 1% in the market rate of interest would have increased our interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 by approximately $12,000.

     We apply SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, pursuant to which our interest rate swaps have not been designated as hedging instruments; therefore changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings.

     Because we derive no revenues from foreign countries and have no obligations in foreign currency, we experience no direct foreign currency exchange rate risk. However, prices of certain raw materials construction equipment and consumables, such as oil, steel and cement, may be affected by currency fluctuations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures”, as that phrase is defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost/benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

     Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as of March 31, 2006. Based on their evaluation, they concluded that our controls and procedures are effective.

     During the period January 1 through March 31, 2006, management expanded the Company’s process for reviewing its financial statements separate from, and in advance of, the review by our independent auditors to further strengthen our controls over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     There are no material legal proceedings outstanding against the Company.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity and Use of Proceeds

     None

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

     None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     None

Item 5. Other Information

     None

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

     *31.1 Certification of Patrick T. Manning, Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

     *31.2 Certification of Maarten D. Hemsley, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

     *32.0 Certification of Patrick T. Manning, Chief Executive Officer and Maarten D. Hemsley, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		STERLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.
Date: May 12, 2006				By:		/s/ Patrick T. Manning.
				Patrick T. Manning. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 12, 2006				By:		/s/ Maarten D. Hemsley
				Maarten D. Hemsley Chief Financial Officer