Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Shares Sold by Nicholas Company Inc.

Nicholas Company Inc. decreased its holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 4.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 276,067 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 12,768 shares during the period. Vulcan Materials comprises approximately 1.2% of Nicholas Company Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Nicholas Company Inc. owned approximately 0.21% of Vulcan Materials worth $71,013,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in Vulcan Materials during the 3rd quarter valued at about $811,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC increased its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 149.4% during the fourth quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 9,393 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,416,000 after acquiring an additional 5,627 shares during the period. Smith Group Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $514,000. Campbell Newman Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $15,719,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in Vulcan Materials by 284.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 44,650 shares of the construction company's stock worth $11,104,000 after purchasing an additional 33,051 shares in the last quarter. 90.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on VMC shares. Raymond James decreased their price objective 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 price target 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. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $287.00 price objective on the stock. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $325.00 price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Vulcan Materials from $295.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $302.67.

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Vulcan Materials Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of VMC traded down $2.45 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $238.66. 1,203,622 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 819,390. The company has a market capitalization of $31.53 billion, a PE ratio of 34.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The business has a 50 day moving average of $257.26 and a 200 day moving average of $260.50. Vulcan Materials has a 1-year low of $215.08 and a 1-year high of $298.31.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 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 analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The company 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.82%. This is a boost from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is currently 28.61%.

About Vulcan Materials

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.