Two Sigma Advisers LP Buys 22,800 Shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

Two Sigma Advisers LP grew its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 156.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 37,400 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 22,800 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $9,620,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 14.0% during the 4th quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 24,704 shares of the construction company's stock worth $6,355,000 after acquiring an additional 3,043 shares during the period. Stockbridge Partners LLC grew its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 11.3% during the 4th quarter. Stockbridge Partners LLC now owns 1,746,482 shares of the construction company's stock worth $449,248,000 after acquiring an additional 177,918 shares during the period. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. grew its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 27.1% during the 4th quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. now owns 22,006 shares of the construction company's stock worth $5,927,000 after acquiring an additional 4,696 shares during the period. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new stake in Vulcan Materials during the 4th quarter worth about $6,092,000. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank grew its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 70,790 shares of the construction company's stock worth $18,209,000 after acquiring an additional 4,826 shares during the period. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vulcan Materials Stock Down 2.1%

NYSE VMC traded down $5.73 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $264.44. The company's stock had a trading volume of 632,683 shares, compared to its average volume of 949,264. Vulcan Materials has a 52 week low of $215.08 and a 52 week high of $298.31. The company has a market capitalization of $34.93 billion, a PE ratio of 38.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $250.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $260.07.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The construction company reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.20. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 12.30% and a return on equity of 12.83%. The firm had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.80 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is currently 27.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VMC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Vulcan Materials from $273.00 to $303.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $269.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Loop Capital cut their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Argus raised shares of Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $287.00 to $309.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $302.91.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

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.