Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC - option chain) stock is falling today after the company reported third-quarter earnings last night of $94.90 million or 76 cents per share, on revenue of $2.71 billion. Analysts had expected a profit of 75 cents per share on revenue of $2.83 billion. JEC also reduced its fiscal-2009 EPS guidance to a range between $3.10 and $3.35, down from a previous range between $3.10 and $3.50. Analysts are looking for EPS of $3.29. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on JEC.This morning, JEC opened at $40.10. So far today the stock has hit a low of $39.62 and a high of $40.86. As of 12:00, JEC is trading at $39.81, down $3.58 (-8.2%). The chart for JEC looks bullish and S&P gives JEC a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

In the biblical story, Jacob dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth. Ever since, boys named Jacob have gravitated toward careers in engineering (anecdotally of course).
The secular growth trends in oil and gas services and infrastructure continue, and a company well-positioned in these two promising sectors, and by extension, worth a review, is Jacobs Engineering Group.

