3 Stocks to Watch in Commercial Construction

When looking at the construction market, the easiest way to break it up is between residential and commercial construction. Residential is pretty easy -- homes. Commercial, on the other hand, is a bit more complex. Federal Realty Investment Trust , Cemex SAB de CV (ADR) , and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc are three companies to watch in commercial construction that show just how broad this market really is.

Not your ordinary REITFederal Realty is a real estate investment trust, or REIT. On the surface, that means it owns properties that it rents or leases to others. But this isn't your ordinary landlord. While most REITs talk about the properties they own, Federal Realty discusses the projects on which it's working. It's a huge difference.

A key Federal Realty project. Source: Coolcaesar, via Wikimedia Commons.

Federal Realty's real skill is in creating mixed-use developments. Its more ambitious work includes residential, retail, and office space. Effectively, the company is creating places where people live, work, and play. This fits into the commercial space well because the projects, such as Santana Row in California, are built in phases over many years.

This creates relatively low-risk future growth opportunities and makes Federal Realty look far more like a commercial construction company than just a run-of-the-mill REIT. So if you're looking at the space, don't get too caught up with the word "construction." A company like Federal Realty might be more to your liking.

Construction ...That said, construction is a big part of the commercial construction industry. There are a lot of players in the space, though most do more than just build things. For example, Jacobs Engineering is definitely in the building business, but its services go well beyond that, encompassing everything from planning a construction project to running buildings that have already been built. And it works for both the private sector (i.e., companies), and the public sector (i.e., governments).

Unlike Federal Realty, which is focused on major U.S. markets, Jacobs' business spans the globe, a trait that most large engineering and constructions firms share. North America makes up around two-thirds of the company's revenues, but the rest comes from the rest of the globe.

A key metric to watch here is backlog, which represents the work Jacobs has lined up for the future. A large and growing backlog is preferable. Keep in mind, however, that global economic trends will have a big impact on the company. For example, falling oil prices will probably put a crimp on the company's business in that sector. And a slowdown in China's growth will probably mean less work in Asia.

A Cemex delivery. Source: Smid.dan, via Wikimedia Commons.

Suppliers are important, tooBut before you go off and look at companies that focus on building things, step back: Nothing gets built without supplies. A great company to think about there is Cemex, the giant global cement company. This is really going back to the foundation of the industry, since cement is the basic building block of things from roads to, well, foundations and walls.

While Cemex is a global business, northern Europe, the United States, and Mexico make up around 70% of revenues. So those are the big markets to watch here. And like Jacobs, Cemex does more than just mix cement, its other businesses include aggregates (crushed rocks, for example), roof tiles, pipes, and pre-formed concrete blocks. But all of these things go right into the construction industry, with many firmly on the commercial side of things.

That said, don't underestimate the impact of residential construction on Cemex, since the company sells into that space, too. So an investment in a supplier such as Cemex isn't as pure a play on the commercial construction sector as Jacobs. But don't overlook this supplier for that reason, since it's still a vital cog in the commercial construction market.

Think bigIf you're watching the commercial construction space, the easy answer is to focus on construction-oriented companies such as Jacobs Engineering. However, that misses some really interesting opportunities in less obvious places. Federal Realty Investment Trust is a great example. And make sure to include suppliers such as Cemex, since nothing gets built without the things this company and its brethren provide to construction markets around the world.

The article 3 Stocks to Watch in Commercial Construction originally appeared on Fool.com.

Reuben Brewer has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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