Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Makes New $2.28 Million Investment in Vulcan Materials Company $VMC

Key Points

• Jefferies Financial Group bought a new stake of 7,400 shares in Vulcan Materials (NYSE: VMC) during the third quarter, valued at about $2.28 million.
• Vulcan Materials reported quarterly EPS of $1.70, missing analysts' estimate of $2.11, with revenue of $1.91 billion versus a $1.95 billion consensus; the company has a $35.5 billion market cap and a P/E of 33.48.
• Analysts hold a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" on VMC with an average price target of $326.29 (distribution: 1 Strong Buy, 11 Buy, 5 Hold).

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 7,400 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $2,276,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 84 shares of the construction company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. purchased a new position in Vulcan Materials during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in Vulcan Materials during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new stake in Vulcan Materials in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in Vulcan Materials in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $46,000. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Vulcan Materials from $317.00 to $315.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Wall Street Zen lowered Vulcan Materials from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. B. Riley Financial started coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, January 15th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $345.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $316.00 to $296.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $326.29.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vulcan Materials

In related news, Director Melissa H. Anderson sold 1,137 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $303.72, for a total transaction of $345,329.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, President Thompson S. Baker II sold 7,135 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.81, for a total transaction of $2,146,279.35. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.61% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

Shares of VMC opened at $271.90 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 2.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The business's 50 day moving average price is $303.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $297.39. Vulcan Materials Company has a 52 week low of $218.83 and a 52 week high of $331.09. The stock has a market cap of $35.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.05.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 17th. The construction company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.11 by ($0.41). The company had revenue of $1.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.95 billion. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 13.56% and a return on equity of 12.56%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.17 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Vulcan Materials Company 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 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 9th. This is a boost from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is 25.62%.

About Vulcan Materials

Vulcan Materials Company NYSE: VMC is a U.S.-based producer of construction materials that supplies the building and infrastructure markets. The company's primary products include construction aggregates such as crushed stone, sand and gravel, as well as asphalt mixes and ready-mixed concrete. These materials are used in a wide range of projects including highways, commercial and residential construction, and public infrastructure.

Vulcan operates an integrated network of quarries, asphalt plants and concrete facilities to produce and deliver materials to contractors, municipalities and private developers.

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