National Bank of Canada FI Reduces Stock Position in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

National Bank of Canada FI trimmed its stake in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 23.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 51,879 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 16,300 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $11,601,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,916 shares of the construction company's stock worth $435,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust lifted its position in Vulcan Materials by 2.7% during the third quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,008 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $406,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. Stonegate Investment Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 20,255 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $4,598,000 after buying an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,498 shares of the construction company's stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the period. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 22.4% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 295 shares of the construction company's stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vulcan Materials

In other Vulcan Materials news, insider Stanley G. Bass sold 8,310 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.68, for a total value of $2,091,460.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 29,311 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,376,992.48. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Denson N. Franklin III sold 3,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $269.48, for a total transaction of $862,336.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 5,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,453,844.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Stanley G. Bass sold 8,310 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.68, for a total transaction of $2,091,460.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 29,311 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,376,992.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 13,017 shares of company stock valued at $3,344,741 over the last ninety days. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

Vulcan Materials stock traded up $2.76 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $270.69. 627,220 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 783,176. The business's 50-day moving average is $265.94 and its 200-day moving average is $238.20. Vulcan Materials has a 12-month low of $190.51 and a 12-month high of $276.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 2.74 and a quick ratio of 1.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.80 billion, a PE ratio of 39.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.83.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The construction company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.91 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 12.32% and a net margin of 11.92%. Vulcan Materials's revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.95 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Vulcan Materials will post 8.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 4th were paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 1st. This is a positive change from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is presently 26.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VMC has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $263.00 to $322.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $270.00 price target (up previously from $245.00) on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Stephens lifted their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Vulcan Materials from $269.00 to $272.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Finally, Wolfe Research cut shares of Vulcan Materials from an "outperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $277.08.

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.