Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Stake Lifted by Brevan Howard Capital Management LP

Brevan Howard Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC - Free Report) by 39.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,590 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,399 shares during the period. Brevan Howard Capital Management LP's holdings in Vulcan Materials were worth $4,010,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VMC. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 16.5% in 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 in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its position in Vulcan Materials by 2.5% in 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 in the last quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 906 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $233,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Vulcan Materials by 30.0% during 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 stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 4.3% in 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 last quarter. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vulcan Materials Stock Performance

VMC stock opened at $270.18 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $35.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.84. 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 firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $239.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $259.87. Vulcan Materials has a 52 week low of $215.08 and a 52 week high of $298.31.

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

Vulcan Materials Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. This is a boost from Vulcan Materials's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. Vulcan Materials's dividend payout ratio is currently 27.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Vulcan Materials from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and cut their target price for the company from $290.00 to $285.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Monday, March 24th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. Argus raised Vulcan Materials to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Vulcan Materials from $300.00 to $273.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $295.64.

Vulcan Materials Company 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.

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