Barclays Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Stock

Key Points

• Barclays has raised its price target for Vulcan Materials from $285.00 to $305.00, indicating a potential upside of 11.97% from the current stock price.
• Multiple analysts have expressed positive sentiments towards Vulcan Materials, with ten issuing buy ratings and an average price target set at $303.09.
• In its latest quarterly earnings report, Vulcan Materials reported earnings per share of $2.45, which was below the consensus estimate of $2.65.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Barclays from $285.00 to $305.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an "overweight" rating on the construction company's stock. Barclays's price target points to a potential upside of 11.97% from the stock's current price.

A number of other analysts have also commented on VMC. Stephens set a $315.00 price target on Vulcan Materials and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Vulcan Materials from $287.00 to $309.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. UBS Group upgraded Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $280.00 to $318.00 in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Raymond James Financial cut their price target on Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Vulcan Materials from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $303.09.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

VMC stock traded down $2.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $272.39. 128,768 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,059,882. The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $265.23 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $257.53. Vulcan Materials has a 12 month low of $215.08 and a 12 month high of $298.31.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The construction company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.65 by ($0.20). The firm had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 12.91% and a net margin of 12.50%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.35 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vulcan Materials

In other news, SVP David P. Clement sold 1,500 shares of Vulcan Materials stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.00, for a total value of $405,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 2,832 shares in the company, valued at approximately $764,640. This trade represents a 34.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.62% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vulcan Materials

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 21.0% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 951 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $222,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 42.1% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 15,798 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,686,000 after purchasing an additional 4,678 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 24.3% in the 1st quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 921 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $215,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 27.2% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,706 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $398,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.6% in the 4th 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 period. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.