Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Stake Boosted by Avantax Advisory Services Inc.

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 24.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,605 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,316 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.'s holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $1,699,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 13.2% in the fourth quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,250 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $579,000 after buying an additional 263 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 125.0% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 335,984 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $86,425,000 after buying an additional 186,641 shares during the period. AGF Management Ltd. purchased a new position in Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $940,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC raised its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 13.4% in the fourth quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 11,027 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $2,836,000 after buying an additional 1,303 shares during the period. Finally, Independent Advisor Alliance raised its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 35.0% in the fourth quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 1,976 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $508,000 after buying an additional 512 shares during the period. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Remove Ads

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VMC has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $295.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 24th. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $325.00 price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $287.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $301.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $302.67.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

VMC stock traded down $4.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $234.55. The company had a trading volume of 2,054,138 shares, compared to its average volume of 823,835. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. Vulcan Materials has a one year low of $215.08 and a one year high of $298.31. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $256.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $260.34.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.41. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 12.30% and a return on equity of 12.83%. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is a positive change from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is presently 28.61%.

Vulcan Materials Company Profile

Vulcan Materials Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and supplies construction aggregates primarily in the United States. It operates through four segments: Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete, and Calcium. The company provides crushed stones, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates; and related products and services that are applied in construction and maintenance of highways, streets, and other public works, as well as in the construction of housing and commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential facilities.