Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Shares Acquired by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 27.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 62,403 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 13,539 shares during the quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $16,052,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 16.5% during the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 254 shares of the construction company's stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Vulcan Materials by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the construction company's stock worth $461,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 906 shares of the construction company's stock worth $233,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 30.0% in the 4th quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 208 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,169 shares of the construction company's stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vulcan Materials Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of VMC traded down $2.40 during trading on Friday, reaching $247.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 694,621 shares, compared to its average volume of 926,784. The company has a market cap of $32.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The company has a fifty day moving average of $238.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $259.43. Vulcan Materials has a twelve month low of $215.08 and a twelve month high of $298.31.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The construction company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.41. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 12.30% and a return on equity of 12.83%. The firm had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.81 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is a boost from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on VMC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and cut their price target for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Raymond James reduced their target price on shares of Vulcan Materials from $298.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Vulcan Materials from $269.00 to $286.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Loop Capital reduced their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $325.00 to $320.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded Vulcan Materials from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $293.64.

Vulcan Materials 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.