Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Shares Sold by William Blair Investment Management LLC

William Blair Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 52.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 71,235 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 77,276 shares during the period. William Blair Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.05% of Vulcan Materials worth $18,324,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Vulcan Materials during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 138.5% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 186 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Vulcan Materials by 30.0% during the 4th quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the construction company's stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Vulcan Materials during the 3rd quarter valued at about $57,000. Finally, Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Vulcan Materials in the 3rd quarter valued at about $61,000. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

NYSE:VMC traded up $7.23 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $241.31. 834,614 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 822,856. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. Vulcan Materials has a 1 year low of $215.08 and a 1 year high of $298.31. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $256.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $260.60. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

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Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.41. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 12.30% and a return on equity of 12.83%. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.46 earnings per share. 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 will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 10th. This is a boost from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is 28.61%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VMC has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $301.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Vulcan Materials from $295.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Vulcan Materials in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $287.00 target price for the company. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price target on Vulcan Materials from $298.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $302.67.

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.