KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New Investment in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 44,989 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $11,573,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 19.9% in 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 purchasing an additional 884,580 shares in the last quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 7.1% in the third quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 1,039 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank increased its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 5,221 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 482 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,241 shares of the construction company's stock worth $812,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nicolet Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Vulcan Materials by 27.9% in the 3rd quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,184 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $285,000 after buying an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.39% of the company's stock.

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Vulcan Materials Trading Down 2.0 %

Shares of VMC traded down $4.64 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $232.90. The stock had a trading volume of 1,009,763 shares, compared to its average volume of 870,974. Vulcan Materials has a 12-month low of $215.08 and a 12-month high of $298.31. The firm has a market cap of $30.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 1.83. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $253.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $260.41.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 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 company had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.81 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $0.49 per share. 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 0.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is currently 28.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on VMC. Raymond James cut 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. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $301.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $325.00 price target on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $302.67.

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.