Values First Advisors Inc. Takes Position in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

Values First Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,251 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $322,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in Vulcan Materials during the third quarter worth $811,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC raised its stake in 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 buying an additional 5,627 shares during the last quarter. Smith Group Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Vulcan Materials during the fourth quarter worth $514,000. Campbell Newman Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Vulcan Materials during the fourth quarter worth $15,719,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in Vulcan Materials by 284.9% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 44,650 shares of the construction company's stock worth $11,104,000 after buying an additional 33,051 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VMC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, November 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $349.00 price target for the company. 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. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Vulcan Materials from $245.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Vulcan Materials presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $301.18.

Vulcan Materials Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE VMC traded up $1.25 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $270.58. 927,825 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 647,540. The stock has a market cap of $35.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.68, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $267.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $261.49. Vulcan Materials has a 1-year low of $225.36 and a 1-year high of $298.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 2.86 and a quick ratio of 2.02.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a $0.49 dividend. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.72%. This is a positive change from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is 29.02%.

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.