The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J) and the rest of the government & technical consulting stocks fared in Q4.

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 Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.7% since the latest earnings results.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J)

With a workforce of approximately 45,000 professionals tackling complex challenges from water scarcity to cybersecurity, Jacobs Solutions (NYSE: J) provides engineering, consulting, and technical services focused on infrastructure, sustainability, and advanced technology solutions.

Jacobs Solutions reported revenues of $2.25 billion, up 8.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Jacobs' Chair and CEO Bob Pragada commented, "We delivered excellent first quarter results driven by revenue strength in both Infrastructure & Advanced Facilities (I&AF) and PA Consulting. Within I&AF, growth was led by the Life Sciences, Data Center, Semiconductor, Water and Transportation sectors. PA Consulting also continues to capitalize on strong demand for its digital consulting services, with revenue increasing 16% year-on-year in the first quarter. We are excited to advance our strategy to redefine the asset lifecycle through the recently announced transaction to fully own the business. We are off to a great start in FY26 and strong results in Q1 give us confidence to increase our outlook for the fiscal year."

Jacobs Solutions pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 2.8% since reporting and currently trades at $129.16.

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

Best Q4: 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 $2.62 billion, down 10.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. However, the business still had a strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 17.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $78.88.

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

Slowest Q4: 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 $789 million, up 6.8% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 23.8% since the results and currently trades at $88.21.

Read our full analysis of UL Solutions’s results here.

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 $443.7 million, down 10.6% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

ICF International delivered the highest full-year guidance raise but had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 13.7% since reporting and currently trades at $68.84.

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

Maximus (NYSE: MMS)

With nearly 50 years of experience translating public policy into operational programs that serve millions of citizens, Maximus (NYSE: MMS) provides operational services, clinical assessments, and technology solutions to government agencies in the U.S. and internationally.

Maximus reported revenues of $1.35 billion, down 4.1% year on year. This number missed analysts’ expectations by 2.2%. It was a softer quarter as it also recorded full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Maximus had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 28.3% since reporting and currently trades at $67.16.

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

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.