National Pension Service Increases Position in Vulcan Materials Company $VMC

Key Points

• The National Pension Service increased its stake in Vulcan Materials Company by 15.1%, acquiring an additional 22,827 shares, bringing its total to 174,003 shares valued at approximately $40.6 million.
• Vulcan Materials reported earnings per share of $2.45 for the last quarter, missing analysts' expectations by $0.20, while revenues totaled $2.10 billion, falling short of the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.49 per share, representing a yield of 0.7%, with an annualized payout of $1.96.

National Pension Service grew its position in shares of Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 15.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 174,003 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 22,827 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned 0.13% of Vulcan Materials worth $40,595,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 26.9% during the 1st quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 184 shares of the construction company's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vulcan Materials during the 1st quarter worth approximately $45,000. Institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Price Performance

Shares of VMC traded up $1.8030 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $288.0830. 116,949 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,054,199. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $271.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $258.93. The company has a market cap of $38.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Vulcan Materials Company has a 1 year low of $215.08 and a 1 year 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 (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by ($0.20). The company 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 12.81% and a net margin of 12.52%.The business's revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.35 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Vulcan Materials Company will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 14th will be given a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 14th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Vulcan Materials's payout ratio is presently 27.37%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VMC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Raymond James Financial decreased their price target on shares of Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $287.00 to $309.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Stephens set a $315.00 price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Argus upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $304.27.

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.