Gardner Russo & Quinn LLC Trims Holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

Gardner Russo & Quinn LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 9.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 21,176 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 2,305 shares during the period. Vulcan Materials accounts for about 0.1% of Gardner Russo & Quinn LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Gardner Russo & Quinn LLC's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $5,447,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp bought a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR bought a new stake in Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in Vulcan Materials by 138.5% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 186 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 30.0% during the fourth quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

VMC traded up $0.88 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $233.82. The company had a trading volume of 1,488,582 shares, compared to its average volume of 873,434. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $253.92 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $260.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 1.83. Vulcan Materials has a 12-month low of $215.08 and a 12-month high of $298.31. The stock has a market cap of $30.93 billion, a PE ratio of 34.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80.

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

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. This is a positive change from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on VMC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and decreased their target price for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $325.00 price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Vulcan Materials from $298.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $295.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $301.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $302.67.

Vulcan Materials 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.