Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Shares Sold by Clearbridge Investments LLC

Clearbridge Investments LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 10.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,491,835 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 297,463 shares during the quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned 1.89% of Vulcan Materials worth $640,975,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 19.9% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,320,570 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,332,431,000 after purchasing an additional 884,580 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 22.8% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 12,698 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,180,000 after acquiring an additional 2,354 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials during the third quarter worth about $463,000. Townsquare Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 53.9% during the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 6,727 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,685,000 after purchasing an additional 2,357 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 32.0% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 736,146 shares of the construction company's stock worth $184,353,000 after purchasing an additional 178,634 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $295.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Vulcan Materials in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $287.00 price target on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn raised Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $325.00 price target on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Loop Capital lowered their price target on shares of Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Vulcan Materials presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $305.58.

Vulcan Materials Price Performance

Shares of VMC traded up $2.89 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $240.16. 707,922 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 873,985. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.77 billion, a PE ratio of 35.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $252.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $260.78. Vulcan Materials has a fifty-two week low of $215.08 and a fifty-two week high of $298.31. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.41. The company had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.81 billion. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 12.30% and a return on equity of 12.83%. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. This is an increase from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.82%. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is 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.