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).

That is certainly true in the case of Joseph Jacobs, who founded Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC) in 1947. This Jacob did indeed excel in building things.

Now, with the economy in shambles, his engineering firm is poised to benefit from the soon-to-be-approved stimulus spending targeted toward infrastructure and energy projects.

With the goal of creating 2.5 million jobs during the first two years of his administration, President-elect Obama plans on attacking the recession with Legos. That means companies that provide anything to do with construction can be expected to do very well.

The company's profile reads like a blueprint for where a lot of the money from the government will be flowing under the Obama administration. JEC provides technical, professional and construction services to industrial, commercial and governmental customers around the globe.

It is involved in energy, transportation and education projects. The company is in the sweet spot of where an awful lot of spending will take place in the next few years, and investors in JEC stand to benefit.

In the days of trading since the President-elect announced his plan, JEC is up more than 23%. Impressive gains no doubt, but given the selling that took place earlier, JEC shares still offer compelling value.

Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC) provides technical, professional, and construction services to industrial, commercial, and governmental customers worldwide. The company designs and engineers process plants, buildings, infrastructure projects and manufacturing facilities. It also provides operations and maintenance services. Clients include Ford Motor (NYSE: F), GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and the US Department of Defense. Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) and Foster Wheeler (NASDAQ: FWLT) are competitors.

Investors were pleased last week, when the firm reported fiscal Q2 EPS of 80 cents and revenues of $2.66 billion. Analysts had been looking for 77 cents and $2.63 billion. Backlog increased $5.5 billion, or 51.5%, from the end of Q2 2007. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $3.00-$3.30, versus consensus of $3.16.