Optimize Financial Inc Buys New Shares in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

Optimize Financial Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 1,039 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $267,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 16.5% during the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 254 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the construction company's stock worth $461,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Howard Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 906 shares of the construction company's stock worth $233,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 30.0% in the 4th 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. Finally, Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC grew its stake in Vulcan Materials by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,169 shares of the construction company's stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VMC traded up $1.31 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $241.86. 643,479 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 923,152. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $242.02 and a 200 day moving average of $259.35. Vulcan Materials has a 1 year low of $215.08 and a 1 year high of $298.31. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $31.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share 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 the consensus estimate of $1.81 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on VMC shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $273.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Loop Capital dropped their price target on Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. UBS Group cut Vulcan Materials from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $343.00 to $258.00 in a research note on Monday, April 7th. 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 research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $295.75.

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.