Scientech Research LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)

Scientech Research LLC lessened its stake in Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 23.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,953 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 1,524 shares during the quarter. Scientech Research LLC's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $1,274,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of VMC. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Vulcan Materials in the fourth quarter valued at about $380,369,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 13.9% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 6,062,201 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,559,380,000 after purchasing an additional 741,631 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 28,529.4% in the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 523,631 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $134,694,000 after purchasing an additional 521,802 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 239.8% during the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 739,003 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $190,094,000 after purchasing an additional 521,508 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alkeon Capital Management LLC increased its position in Vulcan Materials by 54.1% during the 4th quarter. Alkeon Capital Management LLC now owns 1,282,001 shares of the construction company's stock worth $329,769,000 after purchasing an additional 450,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Vulcan Materials

In other Vulcan Materials news, SVP David P. Clement sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.00, for a total value of $405,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 2,832 shares in the company, valued at approximately $764,640. This trade represents a 34.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VMC has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Stephens set a $315.00 target price on shares of Vulcan Materials and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Raymond James cut their price objective on Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $295.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Argus raised Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Vulcan Materials from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $302.91.

Vulcan Materials Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of VMC stock traded up $0.54 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $271.08. The company's stock had a trading volume of 304,191 shares, compared to its average volume of 939,121. Vulcan Materials has a 52 week low of $215.08 and a 52 week high of $298.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 1.83. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $248.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $260.60. The company has a market cap of $35.81 billion, a PE ratio of 39.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.84.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The construction company reported $1.00 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.80 earnings per share. Vulcan Materials's revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Vulcan Materials will post 8.69 earnings per share 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. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.72%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.80%.

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.