Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Shares Acquired by Alliancebernstein L.P.

Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 9.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 162,211 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 13,355 shares during the quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. owned about 0.12% of Vulcan Materials worth $41,726,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Vulcan Materials by 16.5% during the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 254 shares of the construction company's stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.2% in the fourth 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. raised its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 30.0% during the fourth quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the construction company's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,169 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 969 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $249,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Trading Down 2.6 %

Shares of Vulcan Materials stock opened at $230.98 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. Vulcan Materials has a twelve month low of $215.08 and a twelve month high of $298.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.55 billion, a PE ratio of 33.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $250.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $260.50.

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Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.41. Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 12.83% and a net margin of 12.30%. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is a positive change 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 dividend yield of 0.85%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is presently 28.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $298.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $325.00 price target on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and cut their target price for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Monday, March 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $305.58.

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.

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