Strs Ohio Takes Position in Vulcan Materials Company $VMC

Key Points

• Strs Ohio acquired 118,604 shares of Vulcan Materials Company valued at approximately $27.67 million, representing a 0.09% stake in the company.
• Vulcan Materials reported earnings of $2.45 per share for the last quarter, missing the consensus estimate by $0.20, while revenue for the quarter was $2.10 billion.
• Several analysts have provided updated ratings for Vulcan Materials, with the consensus rating being "Buy" and an average price target of $308.36.

Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 118,604 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $27,670,000. Strs Ohio owned approximately 0.09% of Vulcan Materials as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 31.5% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 334 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 28.5% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,321 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $775,000 after purchasing an additional 736 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 10.1% during the 1st quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 937 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $219,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. SCS Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Vulcan Materials during the 1st quarter valued at about $15,716,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 939,596 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $219,208,000 after purchasing an additional 22,420 shares during the period. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Vulcan Materials news, SVP David P. Clement sold 698 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $298.56, for a total transaction of $208,394.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 2,832 shares of the company's stock, valued at $845,521.92. This represents a 19.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Vulcan Materials Stock Up 0.5%

NYSE:VMC traded up $1.42 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $293.38. 115,627 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,017,206. Vulcan Materials Company has a twelve month low of $215.08 and a twelve month high of $302.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $283.05 and a 200 day moving average of $262.76. The stock has a market cap of $38.76 billion, a PE ratio of 40.97, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.86.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The construction company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by ($0.20). Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 12.81% and a net margin of 12.52%.The firm had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.23 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.35 EPS. The company's revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Vulcan Materials Company will post 8.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $285.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $303.00 to $285.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Vulcan Materials from $285.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Vulcan Materials from $286.00 to $279.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $321.00 price target (up from $305.00) on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vulcan Materials has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $308.36.

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.