Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Stock Position Lowered by Kestra Investment Management LLC

Kestra Investment Management LLC trimmed its holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 50.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,719 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 1,724 shares during the period. Kestra Investment Management LLC's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $442,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VMC. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 19.9% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,320,570 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,332,431,000 after buying an additional 884,580 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 136.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 355,857 shares of the construction company's stock worth $89,117,000 after purchasing an additional 205,260 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 32.0% during the 3rd 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 during the last quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 67.9% during the 4th quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP now owns 402,106 shares of the construction company's stock worth $103,434,000 after purchasing an additional 162,567 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stockbridge Partners LLC increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Stockbridge Partners LLC now owns 1,568,564 shares of the construction company's stock worth $392,815,000 after purchasing an additional 137,365 shares during the last quarter. 90.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

NYSE:VMC traded down $6.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $252.46. 306,398 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 724,468. Vulcan Materials has a twelve month low of $225.36 and a twelve month high of $298.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 2.02. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $266.66 and a 200 day moving average price of $261.44.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Vulcan Materials will post 8.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This is a positive change from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is 28.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on VMC. Barclays lifted their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $250.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $325.00 price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded Vulcan Materials from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Raymond James lowered their price target on Vulcan Materials from $298.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, November 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $349.00 price target for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vulcan Materials presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $305.00.

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.