Let's start with the big question, and its answer: If you'd invested $1,000 in Fluor (FLR 3.45%) stock five years ago, what would it be worth today? The answer is $2,574. Let's put that in context. It represents an average annual gain of 20.8%. And over the period, in contrast, $1,000 invested in a low-fee S&P 500 index fund would have gotten you to $1,822 -- a still solid average annual gain of 12.8%.
A better question, though, would look forward instead of backward: Might it be smart to invest in the diversified construction and engineering company now? Let's see.
Image source: Getty Images.
First, here's a look at its performance in years past:
|
Time period |
Fluor |
|---|---|
|
Past 3 years |
8.02% |
|
Past 5 years |
20.43% |
|
Past 10 years |
1.13% |
|
Past 15 years |
(2.25%) |
Source: Data from Morningstar.com as of Feb. 13, 2026.
As you can see, Fluor's returns have been lumpy, which is not entirely surprising given that its fortunes are tied to the economic environment. As a cyclical business, it does well mainly when the economy is doing well, with bullish customers placing orders. It's been under pressure lately, in part due to fears about what artificial intelligence (AI) might do to its business. On the plus side, though, Fluor has a robust backlog of orders -- $25.5 billion worth, per its recent fourth-quarter report. It has also been shifting away from fixed-price contracts, which reduces its risks.
NYSE: FLR
Key Data Points
Interestingly, Fluor held a majority stake in the nuclear start-up NuScale Power -- which seemed a good thing, as nuclear power is being increasingly used to further AI processing in data centers. But Fluor is shedding that stake -- for billions of dollars. That will bolster its balance sheet, but potentially at the cost of future profits lost.
The stock is certainly worth considering, but it doesn't strike me as one of the most promising growth stocks or the most appealing value stocks.
