Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) Hits New 1-Year Low – Should You Sell?

Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC)’s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $245.89 and last traded at $244.6310, with a volume of 508128 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $249.20.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VMC has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup cut Vulcan Materials from a “buy” rating to a “cautious” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Thursday, May 28th. They issued a “market perform” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Vulcan Materials in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. DA Davidson initiated coverage on shares of Vulcan Materials in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. They set a “buy” rating and a $330.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Vulcan Materials from $293.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vulcan Materials currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $325.00.

Vulcan Materials Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $31.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $275.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $281.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.76.

Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The construction company reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.46 by $0.13. Vulcan Materials had a return on equity of 13.05% and a net margin of 13.75%.The firm had revenue of $2.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.42 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Vulcan Materials Company will post 9.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vulcan Materials Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 13th were issued a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 13th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Vulcan Materials’s dividend payout ratio is presently 24.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Vulcan Materials news, SVP David Clement sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.10, for a total transaction of $570,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 6,716 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,914,731.60. This trade represents a 22.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director J. Hill sold 14,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.17, for a total transaction of $3,866,380.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 58,209 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,075,579.53. The trade was a 19.39% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.65% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vulcan Materials

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. 4WEALTH Advisors Inc. increased its position in Vulcan Materials by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. 4WEALTH Advisors Inc. now owns 1,261 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $337,000 after buying an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Vulcan Materials by 28.2% in the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 182 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 23.4% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 211 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Vulcan Materials by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 894 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $255,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Anchyra Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vulcan Materials by 5.7% during the first quarter. Anchyra Partners LLC now owns 784 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $213,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.39% of the company’s stock.

About Vulcan Materials

Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC) is a major U.S. producer and supplier of construction materials. The company’s primary business is aggregates, including crushed stone, sand and gravel, which are used in roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure projects.

Vulcan also produces and distributes asphalt and ready-mixed concrete, as well as calcium products used in construction, industrial and other applications. Its products are sold to public-sector customers, contractors, commercial developers and other businesses involved in construction and infrastructure development.

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Vulcan Materials has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions to operate production facilities, distribution terminals and related assets across much of the United States.