UBS Group Initiates Coverage on Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

UBS Group began coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) in a research note released on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $349.00 price objective on the construction company's stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Barclays increased 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 cut their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $280.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. StockNews.com upgraded Vulcan Materials from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $267.00 to $257.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $280.46.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VMC traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $290.59. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,145,904 shares, compared to its average volume of 847,835. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $249.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $252.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 2.86, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Vulcan Materials has a one year low of $206.79 and a one year high of $298.31.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The construction company reported $2.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.34 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $2 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.01 billion. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 11.43% and a return on equity of 11.88%. The firm's revenue was down 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.29 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Vulcan Materials will post 7.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Investors of record on Monday, November 4th will be given a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 4th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.63%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.02%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vulcan Materials

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in VMC. United Asset Strategies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc. now owns 3,747 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $938,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,987 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $498,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Marcum Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 854 shares of the construction company's stock worth $214,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in Vulcan Materials by 61.8% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 123 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners increased its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 4.5% in the third quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 1,099 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $275,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

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.