Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Shares Sold by APG Asset Management N.V.

APG Asset Management N.V. lessened its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 12.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 28,902 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 4,011 shares during the period. APG Asset Management N.V.'s holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $7,180,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of VMC. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Vulcan Materials during the third quarter worth about $811,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 149.4% during the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 9,393 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,416,000 after acquiring an additional 5,627 shares in the last quarter. Smith Group Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials in the 4th quarter worth approximately $514,000. Campbell Newman Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Vulcan Materials in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $15,719,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Vulcan Materials by 284.9% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 44,650 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $11,104,000 after purchasing an additional 33,051 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of Vulcan Materials stock traded up $2.89 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $243.44. 280,323 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 920,930. Vulcan Materials has a twelve month low of $215.08 and a twelve month high of $298.31. The company has a market cap of $32.20 billion, a PE ratio of 35.51, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $242.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $259.41.

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, 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 company had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a $0.49 dividend. This is an increase 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on VMC. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Vulcan Materials from $269.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Raymond James dropped 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, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $295.75.

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.