Franklin Resources Inc. Buys 33,051 Shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 284.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 44,650 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 33,051 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $11,104,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. United Asset Strategies Inc. lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 1.1% during the third 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 in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 2.3% in the third quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,987 shares of the construction company's stock worth $498,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 854 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $214,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 61.8% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 123 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 4.5% during the 3rd 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 last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Trading Up 0.8 %

VMC stock traded up $2.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $263.13. The company had a trading volume of 1,998,134 shares, compared to its average volume of 836,535. The company has a market capitalization of $34.75 billion, a PE ratio of 41.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $274.90 and a 200 day moving average of $257.34. Vulcan Materials has a 12 month low of $218.37 and a 12 month 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 (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The construction company reported $2.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.34 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.01 billion. Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 11.88% and a net margin of 11.43%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.29 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Vulcan Materials will post 7.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Investors of record on Monday, November 4th were paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 4th. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.02%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Vulcan Materials from $245.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. UBS Group began coverage on Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, November 7th. They set a "buy" rating and a $349.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Vulcan Materials from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Barclays lifted their target price on Vulcan Materials from $250.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Truist Financial increased 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 nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $284.33.

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.