International Assets Investment Management LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 17,706.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 47,899 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 47,630 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $10,874,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in VMC. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new stake in Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new position in Vulcan Materials in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new position in Vulcan Materials in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Achmea Investment Management B.V. bought a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in shares of Vulcan Materials in the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Vulcan Materials Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of VMC stock traded down $2.72 on Friday, reaching $262.78. 507,887 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 732,499. The company has a market cap of $34.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.65, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a 50-day moving average of $261.21 and a 200-day moving average of $231.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 3.17 and a quick ratio of 2.39. Vulcan Materials has a one year low of $166.43 and a one year high of $276.58.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 16th. The construction company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.84 billion. Vulcan Materials had a net margin of 11.99% and a return on equity of 12.80%. The business's revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Vulcan Materials will post 8.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 1st. This is a boost from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is 26.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VMC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $270.00 price objective (up previously from $245.00) on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Wolfe Research cut Vulcan Materials from an "outperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a report on Friday, March 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Vulcan Materials from $264.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $225.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $263.00 to $322.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $268.85.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Denson N. Franklin III sold 3,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $269.48, for a total value of $862,336.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 5,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,453,844.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Denson N. Franklin III sold 3,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $269.48, for a total value of $862,336.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 5,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,453,844.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Stanley G. Bass sold 8,310 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.68, for a total transaction of $2,091,460.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 29,311 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,376,992.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,017 shares of company stock worth $3,344,741 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.62% of the company's stock.

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.