Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $327.9286.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on VMC shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Vulcan Materials from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Sunday, July 12th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $350.00 to $349.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Stephens upped their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $333.00 price target on Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, April 30th.

Vulcan Materials Stock Up 1.8%

NYSE VMC opened at $275.48 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $289.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $287.61. The company has a market capitalization of $35.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Vulcan Materials has a 52 week low of $252.35 and a 52 week high of $331.09.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The construction company reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.46 by $0.13. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 13.75% and a return on equity of 13.05%. The company had revenue of $2.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.42 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Vulcan Materials will post 9.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 13th will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 13th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Vulcan Materials’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.56%.

Insider Transactions at Vulcan Materials

In related news, SVP David P. Clement sold 2,000 shares of Vulcan Materials stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.10, for a total transaction of $570,200.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 6,716 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,914,731.60. This trade represents a 22.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.65% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vulcan Materials

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Burkett Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials during the second quarter worth $25,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 71.7% in the first quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 103 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Birchwood Financial Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Godsey & Gibb Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in Vulcan Materials during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 90.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vulcan Materials Company Profile

Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) is a U.S.-based producer of construction materials that supplies the building and infrastructure markets. The company’s primary products include construction aggregates such as crushed stone, sand and gravel, as well as asphalt mixes and ready-mixed concrete. These materials are used in a wide range of projects including highways, commercial and residential construction, and public infrastructure.

Vulcan operates an integrated network of quarries, asphalt plants and concrete facilities to produce and deliver materials to contractors, municipalities and private developers.