DRW Securities LLC Makes New Investment in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

DRW Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,703 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $438,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VMC. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR acquired a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 138.5% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 186 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Washington Trust Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Vulcan Materials by 30.0% during the 4th quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of VMC stock traded down $2.40 on Wednesday, hitting $242.13. The stock had a trading volume of 139,170 shares, compared to its average volume of 921,362. The stock has a market cap of $32.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 2.02. Vulcan Materials has a 12-month low of $215.08 and a 12-month high of $298.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $243.18 and a 200 day moving average of $259.54.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last posted its 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. 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 prior year, the company posted $1.46 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th were paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. This is an increase from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is presently 28.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on VMC shares. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Vulcan Materials from $269.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Wolfe Research raised shares of Vulcan Materials from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $298.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, UBS Group lowered Vulcan Materials from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $343.00 to $258.00 in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Vulcan Materials presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $298.00.

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.