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Vulcan Materials

Vulcan Materials is the United States' largest producer of construction aggregates (crushed stone, sand, and gravel). Its largest markets include Texas, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama. In 2023, Vulcan sold 234.3 million tons of aggregates, 13.4 million tons of asphalt mix, and 7.5 million cubic yards of ready-mix. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the company had nearly 16 billion tons of aggregates reserves.

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Vulcan Materials reported  fourth-quarter FY23 results, with revenue in line with consensus and gross profit increasing in both segments. Adjusted EPS beat expectations and the company expects continued earnings growth and strong cash generation in 2024. 

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Vulcan Materials Company (Holding Company) Common Stock

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<p>Citigroup  analyst Anthony Pettinari   maintains Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $322 to $297.</p>


Price Target

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Vulcan Materials, Lowers Price Target to $297

<p>Throughout the last three months, 5 analysts have evaluated Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>), offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.</p>
<p>The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $301.6, a high estimate of $322.00, and a low estimate of $272.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $287.00, the current average has increased by 5.09%.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1720029673_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
<p>The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Vulcan Materials by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Garik Shmois</td>
<td>Loop Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$285.00</td>
<td>$305.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trey Grooms</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Dahl</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$272.00</td>
<td>$269.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Philip Ng</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$319.00</td>
<td>$298.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Pettinari</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$322.00</td>
<td>$263.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Vulcan Materials. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Vulcan Materials compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Vulcan Materials's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
<p>Capture valuable insights into Vulcan Materials's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VMC/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Vulcan Materials analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Vulcan Materials</h2>
<p>Vulcan Materials is the United States' largest producer of construction aggregates (crushed stone, sand, and gravel). Its largest markets include Texas, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama. In 2023, Vulcan sold 234.3 million tons of aggregates, 13.4 million tons of asphalt mix, and 7.5 million cubic yards of ready-mix. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the company had nearly 16 billion tons of aggregates reserves.</p>
<h3>Breaking Down Vulcan Materials's Financial Performance</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization Analysis:</strong> Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.</p>
<p><strong>Negative Revenue Trend:</strong> Examining Vulcan Materials's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 31 March, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately <strong>-6.26%</strong> in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Vulcan Materials's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of <strong>6.64%,</strong> the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Vulcan Materials's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of <strong>1.37%,</strong> the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Vulcan Materials's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of <strong>0.72%,</strong> the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Vulcan Materials's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at <strong>0.51</strong>, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.</p>
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
<p>Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.</p>
<p>Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


Cracking The Code: Understanding Analyst Reviews For Vulcan Materials

<p>Loop Capital  analyst Garik Shmois   maintains Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $305 to $285.</p>


Loop Capital Maintains Buy on Vulcan Materials, Lowers Price Target to $285

<p><strong>Vulcan Materials's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) short percent of float has risen 29.35% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>2.77 million shares sold short</strong>, which is 2.38% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 3.33 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>Vulcan Materials Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1718370910_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Vulcan Materials has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing Vulcan Materials's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Vulcan Materials's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.18%, which means the company has <strong>more</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


Short Sellers

Peering Into Vulcan Materials's Recent Short Interest

<p><strong>David Clement</strong>, Senior Vice President at <strong>Vulcan Materials</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>), disclosed an insider sell on May 30, according to a recent SEC filing.</p>
<p><strong>What Happened:</strong> Clement's decision to sell 1,000 shares of <strong>Vulcan Materials</strong> was revealed in a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001396009/000156218024004528//Archives/edgar/data/1396009/000156218024004528/0001562180-24-004528-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Thursday. The total value of the sale is $254,500.</p>
<p>During Friday's morning session, <strong>Vulcan Materials</strong> shares down by 0.0%, currently priced at $254.08.</p>
<h3>Get to Know Vulcan Materials Better</h3>
<p>Vulcan Materials is the United States' largest producer of construction aggregates (crushed stone, sand, and gravel). Its largest markets include Texas, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama. In 2023, Vulcan sold 234.3 million tons of aggregates, 13.4 million tons of asphalt mix, and 7.5 million cubic yards of ready-mix. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the company had nearly 16 billion tons of aggregates reserves.</p>
<h3>Financial Milestones: Vulcan Materials's Journey</h3>
<p><strong>Revenue Challenges:</strong> Vulcan Materials's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 31 March, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately <strong>-6.26%</strong>. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Holistic Profitability Examination:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>Gross Margin:</strong> The company faces challenges with a low gross margin of <strong>19.73%</strong>, suggesting potential difficulties in cost control and profitability compared to its peers.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Earnings per Share (EPS):</strong> Vulcan Materials's EPS is below the industry average. The company faced challenges with a current EPS of <strong>0.78</strong>. This suggests a potential decline in earnings.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Vulcan Materials's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at <strong>0.51</strong>, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.</p>
<p><strong>Analyzing Market Valuation:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio:</strong> The Price to Earnings ratio of <b><strong>36.72</strong></b> is lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation for the stock.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio:</strong> With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of <b><strong>4.42</strong></b> as compared to the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization):</strong> At <strong>18.29</strong>, the company's EV/EBITDA ratio outperforms industry norms, reflecting positive market perception. This positioning indicates optimistic expectations for the company's future performance.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization:</strong> Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.</p>
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<h3>Illuminating the Importance of Insider Transactions</h3>
<p>It's important to note that insider transactions alone should not dictate investment decisions, but they can provide valuable insights.</p>
<p>Considering the legal perspective, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, according to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to disclose their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.</p>
<p>Pointing towards optimism, a company insider's new purchase signals their positive anticipation for the stock to rise.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be influenced by various factors.</p>
<h3>Cracking Transaction Codes</h3>
<p>When dissecting transactions, the focal point for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> is often those occurring in the open market, meticulously detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A <strong>P</strong> in Box 3 denotes a purchase, while <strong>S</strong> signifies a sale. Transaction code <strong>C</strong> indicates the conversion of an option, and transaction code <strong>A</strong> denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0001396009"><strong>Check Out The Full List Of Vulcan Materials's Insider Trades.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


David Clement Implements A Sell Strategy: Offloads $254K In Vulcan Materials Stock

<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-22/amlo-says-vulcan-rejected-2-billion-bid-for-mexico-coast-assets">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-22/amlo-says-vulcan-rejected-2-billion-bid-for-mexico-coast-assets</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/VMC:US">Vulcan Materials Co.</a> rejected a Mexican government offer to purchase its Caribbean coast assets for $2 billion, according to the nation's president, but the US company said it wasn't aware of such a proposal.</p>
<p>President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced the apparently sweetened price Wednesday morning, saying the state hasn't expropriated the property but that the Vulcan plant is merely "closed."</p>


'Vulcan Says It's Unaware Of $2B Mexican Offer For Assets; AMLO Announces Alleged Rejection Of Sweetened Bid For Plant; U.S. Firm Asked Biden Administration For Protection Last Year' - Bloomberg News

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<ol>
<li><strong>NICE Ltd</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NICE#NASDAQ">NICE</a>) shares tumbled 15.60% after the company reported&nbsp;Q1&nbsp;financial results and issued&nbsp;Q2&nbsp;adjusted revenue&nbsp;guidance&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38866576" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with its midpoint below estimates</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PBR#NYSE">PBR</a>) shares plummeted 13.03% after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38818917" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Q1 sales missed consensus</a>. Also, Brazil&#8217;s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fired CEO&nbsp;Jean Paul&nbsp;Prates following a dispute&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38850433" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over the dividends</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Comfort Systems USA, Inc.</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIX#NYSE">FIX</a>) stock fell 8.37% in the last week.</li>
<li><strong>Li Auto Inc.</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) shares fell 7.64%, possibly in reaction to reports that Biden is preparing tariffs on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38813115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese EV and solar sectors</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLM#NYSE">MLM</a>) shares fell 5.23%.</li>
<li><strong>Vulcan Materials Company</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>)&nbsp;share&nbsp;were down 4.89%.</li>
<li><strong>BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMRN#NASDAQ">BMRN</a>) shares declined 4.47% after it planned to cut 170 jobs.</li>
<li><strong>New Oriental Education &amp; Technology Group, Inc.&nbsp;</strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EDU#NYSE">EDU</a>)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38866634" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shares fell 4.02% last week</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Gold Fields Limited</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GFI#NYSE">GFI</a>) shares decreased 3.10% last week.</li>
<li><strong>Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. </strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MUFG#NYSE">MUFG</a>) shares were down 2.90% after GDP data came in worse than expected.</li>
</ol>
<p><em>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38779404/last-weeks-worst-performing-stocks-are-these-10-large-cap-stocks-in-your-portfolio-may-5-may-11-2024">Last Week&#8217;s Worst-Performing Stocks: Are These 10 Large-Cap Stocks In Your Portfolio? (May 5-May 11, 2024)</a></em></p>


<p>Major U.S. equity indexes ended Thursday&#8217;s session on a weaker note as investors reconsidered the economic outlook in light of the latest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/economic">batch of contrasting data.</a></p>
<p>Both the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.2%, closing at 5,297 points and 18,557 points, respectively. </p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which surpassed the 40,000 mark during morning trading, closed 0.1% lower at 39,869.</p>
<p>Thursday&#8217;s economic data revealed a decline in initial jobless claims and higher-than-expected import and export prices, with the latter reigniting some anxiety about inflation. Housing starts and building permits were disappointing, and industrial production stalled.</p>
<p>Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President <strong>Loretta Mester</strong> stated on Thursday that it will take longer to be confident that inflation is moving toward 2% and emphasized the need for continued restrictive policies. She welcomed the latest inflation data as a sign of cooling price pressures but warned that the U.S. fiscal path is unsustainable and must be brought under control.</p>
<p>Treasury yields closed higher across the board, with the rate-sensitive two-year yield surging by 7 basis points to 4.80%, snapping a three-day streak of declines.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is Bad News Still Good News?</h3>
<p>Veteran investor<strong> Ed Yardeni </strong>explained that both good and bad news are working as a positive catalyst for the stock market. Yardeni noted that stocks positively reacted to the weaker-than-expected economic indicators, which led to a decline in the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield from its recent peak.</p>
<p>For example, the market welcomed the ISM manufacturing index dropping below 50 and flat retail sales data in April, despite these indicators suggesting slowing economic momentum.</p>
<p>Offering a contrarian view, <strong>Arnim Holzer</strong>, global macro strategist at Easterly EAB Risk Solutions, argued, &#8220;The ‘bad news is good news' narrative should not be this bullish.&#8221; He cautioned that the market&#8217;s risk stance is complacent, evidenced by the low level of the VIX.</p>
<p>Holzer also warned that the high and positive correlation between bonds and stocks poses a significant risk to overall portfolio performance.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Movers In Sectors And Stocks</h3>
<p>Sector-wise, consumer staples was the only sector recording gains on Thursday, with the <strong>Consumer Staples</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Select Sector SPDR Fund</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) up 1.4%. </p>
<p><strong>Walmart Inc</strong>. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) rallied 6.5% amid stronger-than-expected earnings, contributing to nearly half of the daily performance of the overall consumer staples sector. </p>
<p>Materials, as tracked by the <strong>Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLB#NYSE">XLB</a>), were the laggards, down 0.7%. <strong>Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLM#NYSE">MLM</a>), <strong>Vulcan Materials Company</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) and <strong>Freeport-McMoRan Inc.</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) were the sector&#8217;s weakest performers, down 5%, 3.9% and 2.8%, respectively. </p>
<p>Industry-wise, homebuilders fell heavily amid worse-than-expected housing starts and building permits data, with the <strong>iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITB#NYSE">ITB</a>) falling 3.1%, on its worst day in more than a month. </p>
<p><strong>D.R. Horton Inc.</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHI#NYSE">DHI</a>) and <strong>Lennar Corporatio</strong>n (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LEN#NYSE">LEN</a>) were notable fallers among the sector&#8217;s heavyweights, with declines of 4.2% and 3.3%, respectively. </p>
<p>Telecom stocks, as tracked by the <strong>SPDR S&amp;P Telecom ETF</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XTL#NYSE">XTL</a>), closed in the green, up 1.6%, marking their sixth straight session of gains. Notable gainers were<strong> AST SpaceMobile, Inc. </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>), up 68.4%, and <strong>Extreme Networks, Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXTR#NASDAQ">EXTR</a>). </p>
<p><em>Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/05/38878116/big-short-investor-michael-burry-bets-heavy-on-gold-renewable-energy-stocks-exits-amazon-alphabet">&#8216;Big Short&#8217; Investor Michael Burry Bets Heavy On Gold, Renewable Energy Stocks, Exits Amazon, Alphabet</a></em></p>
<p><em>Image: Pixabay</em></p>


<p>The Nasdaq 100 closed higher by more than 100 points on Tuesday. Investors, meanwhile, focused on some notable insider trades.</p>
<p>When insiders sell shares, it could be a preplanned sale, or could indicate their concern in the company's prospects or that they view the stock as being overpriced. Insider sales should not be taken as the only indicator for making an investment or trading decision. At best, it can lend conviction to a selling decision.</p>
<p>Below is a look at a few recent notable insider sales. For more, check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">Benzinga&#8217;s insider transactions</a> platform.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Micron Technology</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>The Trade: Micron Technology, Inc. </strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) EVP, Global Operations Manish H Bhatia <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 40,650 shares</a> at an average price of $120.89. The insider received around $4.91 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li><strong>What's Happening:</strong> On May 13, Barclays analyst Tom O&#8217;Malley maintained Micron with an Overweight and raised the price target from $120 to $145.</li>
<li><strong>What Micron Technology Does:</strong> Micron is one of the largest semiconductor companies in the world, specializing in memory and storage chips.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Have a look at our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a></em></p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Vulcan Materials</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>The Trade: Vulcan Materials Company </strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) President Thompson S Baker II <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 15,210 shares</a> at an average price of $272.95. The insider received around $4.15 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li><strong>What's Happening:</strong> On May 2, Vulcan Materials reported upbeat results for the first quarter.</li>
<li><strong>What Vulcan Materials Does:</strong> Vulcan Materials is the United States&#8217; largest producer of construction aggregates (crushed stone, sand, and gravel).</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Schlumberger</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>The Trade: Schlumberger Limited </strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLB#NYSE">SLB</a>) Chief Technology Officer Demosthenis Pafitis <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 63,095 shares</a> at an average price of $48.26. The insider received around $3.04 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li><strong>What's Happening:</strong> On April 19, SLB posted upbeat quarterly sales.</li>
<li><strong>What SLB Does:</strong> SLB is the largest oilfield service firm in the world, with expertise in myriad disciplines, including reservoir performance, well construction, production enhancement, and more recently, digital solutions.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>JPMorgan Chase</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>The Trade: JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. </strong>(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) CEO CCB Marianne Lake <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 11,734 shares</a> at an average price of $200.02. The insider received around $2.35 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li><strong>What's Happening:</strong> JP Morgan Chase, during April, inaugurated a new Community Center branch in the Grand Concourse neighborhood of the Bronx.</li>
<li><strong>What JPMorgan Chase Does:</strong> JPMorgan Chase is one of the largest and most complex financial institutions in the United States, with nearly $3.9 trillion in assets.</li>
</ul>
<p>Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/05/38835382/investor-optimism-improves-ahead-of-cpi-report-nasdaq-settles-at-record-high">Investor Optimism Improves Ahead Of CPI Report, Nasdaq Settles At Record High</a></p>


<p>Stephens &amp; Co.  analyst Trey Grooms   maintains Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $300 to $310.</p>


Stephens & Co. Maintains Overweight on Vulcan Materials, Raises Price Target to $310

<p>RBC Capital  analyst Mike Dahl   maintains Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $269 to $272.</p>


RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on Vulcan Materials, Raises Price Target to $272

<p><strong>Vulcan Materials's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) short percent of float has risen 3.59% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>2.01 million shares sold short</strong>, which is 1.73% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 2.56 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>Vulcan Materials Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1714676425_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Vulcan Materials has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing Vulcan Materials's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Vulcan Materials's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.19%, which means the company has <strong>less</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


<p>The Zacks Construction sector has been seeing a positive earnings picture this time around. The sector has witnessed improved demand trends across the markets despite adverse weather conditions in early 2024.<br />
Per the latest Earnings Trends report, the first-quarter earnings season has seen releases from approximately 53.8% of the total construction companies on the S&amp;P 500 Index, capturing a total market cap of 57.6%. Of them, total earnings are up 15.1% from the year-ago period on 7.9% higher revenues, with 85.7% beating earnings per share (ETF:EPS) estimates and 42.9% beating revenue estimates.<br />
The construction sector earnings are expected to rise 10.3% for the first quarter. This indicates growth from the fourth-quarter 2023 improvement rate of just 2.6%. Revenues are projected to increase 6.8%, suggesting an acceleration from 5.1% growth registered in the prior quarter.</p>
<h3>Factors Shaping the Trend</h3>
<p>The distinct trends across residential and non-residential markets are likely to shape the Zacks Construction sector&#39;s performance in the first quarter of 2024. Spending on new single-family construction projects have been balancing out the shortage of non-residential infrastructure projects in recent months.<br />
The U.S. housing industry is still bearing the pressure of extremely high mortgage rates, which is haunting potential buyers to invest. So far in 2024, mortgage rates have relentlessly held between 6.6% and 7%. This apart, weather-related impacts and elevated labor costs might have hampered overall performance. To a relief, desire to own a new home amid limited availability of existing homes, encouraging repair and remodeling activities, and homebuilders&#39; cost management efforts are likely to have contributed to growth.<br />
The non-residential industry players might have benefited from strong global trends in infrastructure modernization, energy transition and national security. In fact, rising investments in telecommunications networks, especially in 5G technologies, environmental remediation and climate resilience, have had further support performance.<br />
Utilizing the Zacks Stock Screener, we&#39;ve singled out five stocks within the construction sector. These include <strong>Quanta Services, Inc.</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pwr#NYSE">PWR</a>), <strong>Vulcan Materials Company</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vmc#NYSE">VMC</a>), <strong>MasTec, Inc.</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mtz#NYSE">MTZ</a>), <strong>Howmet Aerospace Inc.</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hwm#NYSE">HWM</a>), and <strong>Frontdoor, Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ftdr#NASDAQ">FTDR</a>), all scheduled for release on May 2.</p>
<h3>Construction Stocks to Watch</h3>
<p>Let&#39;s take a quick glance at how these stocks are poised ahead of their respective earnings release.<br />
One can narrow down the list with the combination of a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) and a positive Earnings ESP. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they report with our Earnings ESP Filter.<br />
Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology for determining stocks that have the best chances of coming up with an earnings beat in their upcoming earnings announcement. It shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate.<br />
<strong>Quanta Services</strong> &mdash; a leading national provider of specialty contracting services &mdash; topped earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, with the average being 4.9%.<br />
PWR is slated to report first-quarter results before the opening bell. The chances of PWR delivering an earnings beat are unlikely this time around as it has an Earnings ESP of -0.90% and a Zacks Rank #3.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its first-quarter EPS is pegged at $1.26, representing a rise of 1.6% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus mark for revenues is $4.96 billion, suggesting an 11.9% year-over-year rise.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Quanta Services, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/PWR/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-PWR-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Quanta Services, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/a9/1714567560.png" style="height:263px; width:544px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Quanta Services, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Quanta Services, Inc. Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Vulcan </strong>&mdash; a construction aggregates company &mdash; topped earnings estimates in the trailing four quarters, with the average being 19.5%.<br />
VMC is scheduled to report first-quarter results before the opening bell. VMC is unlikely to beat earnings this time as it has an Earnings ESP of -1.53% and a Zacks Rank #3.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its first-quarter EPS is pegged at 80 cents, representing a decrease of 15.8% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.53 billion, suggesting a 7.4% year-over-year decline.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Vulcan Materials Company Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/VMC/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-VMC-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Vulcan Materials Company Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/71/1714567613.png" style="height:263px; width:544px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Vulcan Materials Company price-eps-surprise | Vulcan Materials Company Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>MasTec </strong>&mdash; a leading infrastructure construction company &mdash; topped earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, with the average being 1.2%.<br />
MTZ is slated to report first-quarter results after the closing bell. MTZ has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #2, which does not conclusively predict an earnings beat this time around.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its first-quarter EPS is pegged at negative 47 cents, representing an improvement of 13% from the year-ago reported figure of negative 54 cents. The consensus mark for revenues is $2.62 billion, reflecting a 1.4% year-over-year improvement. MasTec has been benefiting from strong demand for its services across the Clean Energy and Infrastructure, Communications and Power Delivery segments. Oil and Gas also poses strength amid volatility in prices.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>MasTec, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/MTZ/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-MTZ-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="MasTec, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/f2/1714567651.png" style="height:263px; width:537px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>MasTec, Inc. price-eps-surprise | MasTec, Inc. Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Howmet Aerospace</strong> &mdash; an engineered solutions provider to the transportation and aerospace (both defense and commercial) industries &mdash; topped earnings estimates in the trailing four quarters, with an average of 8.8%.<br />
HWM is scheduled to report first-quarter results before the opening bell. It is unlikely to beat earnings this time as it has an Earnings ESP of -3.18% and a Zacks Rank #3.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its first-quarter EPS is pegged at 52 cents, representing growth of 23.8% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus mark for revenues is $1.74 billion, suggesting 8.8% year-over-year growth.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Howmet Aerospace Inc. Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/HWM/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-HWM-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Howmet Aerospace Inc. Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/bd/1714567675.png" style="height:263px; width:537px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Howmet Aerospace Inc. price-eps-surprise | Howmet Aerospace Inc. Quote</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Frontdoor </strong>&mdash; a Memphis, TN-based home service provider &mdash; topped earnings estimates in the trailing four quarters, with the average being 336.6%.<br />
FTDR is slated to report first-quarter results before the opening bell. The chances of FTDR delivering an earnings beat are high this time around as it has an Earnings ESP of +8.64% and sports a Zacks Rank #1.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its first-quarter EPS is pegged at 20 cents, representing a decline of 31% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $376.36 million, suggesting a 2.6% year-over-year increase. Frontdoor has been benefiting from strong price realization amid lower volumes. However, increased marketing investments to drive first-year direct-to-consumer customer count will likely impact the bottom line in the to-be-reported quarter.</p>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Frontdoor Inc. Price and EPS Surprise</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/FTDR/price-eps-surprise?icid=chart-FTDR-price-eps-surprise"><img alt="Frontdoor Inc. Price and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/b8/1714567699.png" style="height:263px; width:537px" title="" /> </a></p>
<p>Frontdoor Inc. price-eps-surprise | Frontdoor Inc. Quote</p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2266152/watch-these-5-construction-stocks-for-q1-earnings-beat-or-miss?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_preview_-_esp-2266152">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a></p>


<p><strong>Outlook</strong></p>
<p>Regarding the Company&#39;s outlook, Mr. Hill said, &quot;Our operating performance in the first quarter was solid and in line with our expectations.&nbsp; We remain on track to deliver $2.15 to $2.30 billion of Adjusted EBITDA, marking the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth.&nbsp; The pricing environment remains positive, and our focus remains on compounding unit margins through all parts of the cycle, creating value for our shareholders through improving returns on capital.&quot;</p>


Vulcan Reaffirms FY24 Adjusted EBITDA Outlook $2.15B-$2.30B

<p>Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.80 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.74 by 8.11 percent. This is a 15.79 percent decrease over earnings of $0.95 per share from the same period last year.  The company reported quarterly sales of $1.546 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.487 billion by 3.96 percent.  This is a 6.25 percent decrease over sales of $1.649 billion the same period last year.</p>


Earnings Beats

Vulcan Materials Q1 2024 Adj EPS $0.80 Beats $0.74 Estimate, Sales $1.546B Beat $1.487B Estimate

<p>In the preceding three months, 8 analysts have released ratings for Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.</p>
<p>The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $291.5, a high estimate of $322.00, and a low estimate of $240.00. This current average reflects an increase of 11.52% from the previous average price target of $261.38. </p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713452496_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration</h2>
<p>In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Vulcan Materials. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Philip Ng</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$319.00</td>
<td>$298.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Pettinari</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$322.00</td>
<td>$263.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keith Hughes</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adrian Huerta</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
<td>$245.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Dahl</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$269.00</td>
<td>$236.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jerry Revich</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$292.00</td>
<td>$264.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keith Hughes</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
<td>$260.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Patrick Tyler Brown</td>
<td>Raymond James</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$225.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Vulcan Materials. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Vulcan Materials compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Vulcan Materials's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
<p>Capture valuable insights into Vulcan Materials's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VMC/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Vulcan Materials analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>Discovering Vulcan Materials: A Closer Look</h2>
<p>Vulcan Materials is the United States' largest producer of construction aggregates (crushed stone, sand, and gravel). Its largest markets include Texas, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama. In 2023, Vulcan sold 234.3 million tons of aggregates, 13.4 million tons of asphalt mix, and 7.5 million cubic yards of ready-mix. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the company had nearly 16 billion tons of aggregates reserves.</p>
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Vulcan Materials</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization Analysis:</strong> The company's market capitalization is above the industry average, indicating that it is relatively larger in size compared to peers. This may suggest a higher level of investor confidence and market recognition.</p>
<p><strong>Positive Revenue Trend:</strong> Examining Vulcan Materials's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of <strong>5.91%</strong> as of 31 December, 2023, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Materials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Vulcan Materials's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of <strong>12.4%,</strong> the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Vulcan Materials's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of <strong>3.05%,</strong> the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Vulcan Materials's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of <strong>1.56%,</strong> the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Vulcan Materials's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching <strong>0.59</strong>. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.</p>
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
<p>Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.</p>
<p>In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


A Closer Look at 8 Analyst Recommendations For Vulcan Materials

<p>Jefferies  analyst Philip Ng   maintains Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $298 to $319.</p>


Jefferies Maintains Buy on Vulcan Materials, Raises Price Target to $319

<p><strong>Vulcan Materials's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) short percent of float has risen 3.59% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>2.01 million shares sold short</strong>, which is 1.73% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 2.56 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>Vulcan Materials Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713292220_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Vulcan Materials has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing Vulcan Materials's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Vulcan Materials's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.19%, which means the company has <strong>less</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


How Is The Market Feeling About Vulcan Materials?

<p>Citigroup  analyst Anthony Pettinari   maintains Vulcan Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMC#NYSE">VMC</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $263 to $322.</p>


Citigroup Maintains Buy on Vulcan Materials, Raises Price Target to $322

<p><strong>Orion Energy Systems, Inc.</strong>&#39;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/oesx#NASDAQ">OESX</a>) electric vehicle&nbsp;charging solutions division, Voltrek, secured more than $11 million of open construction services contracts from Eversource Energy under its &lsquo;EV Make Ready&#39; program. These contracts were finalized in the fiscal 2024 and represent more than 25 individual projects.<br />
These projects, previously part of Orion&#39;s revenue outlook, are now contracted and slated for execution within the company&#39;s fiscal year 2025 (starting Apr 1, 2024). They involve Level 2 and Level 3 chargers, serving various needs such as public, workplace and fleet charging applications. This reflects the growing demand for EV charging solutions. This reflects the growing demand for EV charging solutions, marking significant progress in OESX&#39;s EV charging business and reaffirming Voltrek&#39;s position as a trusted industry partner.</p>
<h3>Focus on EV Charging Business</h3>
<p>The company&#39;s EV Segment provides leading expertise in electric vehicle charging, offering sales, installation of sourced charging stations, and related software subscriptions and renewals. It also delivers turnkey installation solutions with ongoing support to all commercial verticals.<br />
During third-quarter fiscal 2023, the company&#39;s Voltrek EV charging solutions revenues remained flat compared with the year-ago period&#39;s levels. It declined sequentially, primarily due to the variability and timing of larger projects. However, OESX is witnessing promising progress in the development of its long-term EV charging project pipeline as it engages with new and existing customers to meet their EV charging needs.<br />
OESX has made significant progress in expanding the Voltrek team and its geographic coverage to cater to the needs of large national customers. The company enjoys a broader customer base and opportunities, leading to growth in its project pipeline, which currently exceeds $50 million. It anticipates some variability in the quarter-over-quarter performance of this segment due to the timing of expected larger regional and national projects.</p>
<h3>Price Performance</h3>
<p><img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/8c/64282.jpg?v=1041756208" /><br />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research</p>
<p>The company&#39;s shares have dropped 7.1% in the past three months against the Zacks Building Products-Lightning industry&#39;s growth of 27.7%. The company has been facing significant inflationary pressures in the past several quarters, leading to many older contracts becoming unprofitable. In response to higher costs, OESX increased its pricing to align its profit margin more closely with its overall business.</p>
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
<p>Orion currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).<br />
Here are some better-ranked stocks from the Zacks Construction sector:<br />
<strong>Vulcan Materials Company </strong>(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vmc#NYSE">VMC</a>) currently sports a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).<br />
VMC delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.5%, on average. The stock has gained 29.9% in the past six months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VMC&#39;s 2024 sales and earnings per share (ETF:EPS) indicates an improvement of 1.3% and 19.7%, respectively, from a year ago.<br />
<strong>Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. </strong>(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/strl#NASDAQ">STRL</a>) presently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20.4%, on average. Shares of STRL have increased 45.3% in the past six months.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRL&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates a rise of 11.7% and 11.4%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.<br />
<strong>NVR, Inc. </strong>(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nvr#NYSE">NVR</a>) currently sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). NVR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.1%, on average. The stock has gained 33% in the past six months.<br />
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVR&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates growth of 7.7% and 4.6%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2250723/orion-s-oesx-voltrek-wins-11m-eversource-energy-contracts?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_-_corporate_actions-2250723">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a></p>


Orion's (OESX) Voltrek Wins $11M Eversource Energy Contracts

35 S&P 500 stocks that entered the Top Momentum Quintile in early 2024 - WF

Truist Financial analyst Keith Hughes maintained a Buy rating on Vulcan Materials (VMC – Research Report) today. The company's shares closed yester...

Truist Financial Keeps Their Buy Rating on Vulcan Materials (VMC)

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>In the current politically divisive environment, it&rsquo;s difficult to imagine any bipartisanship materializing. However, such consensus isn&rsquo;t unheard of. After all, the 2018 farm bill saw both Republicans and Democrats agree on cannabis-related legislation. Indeed, the same level of rapprochement could occur for our nation&rsquo;s much-needed buildout and repair, thus sparking the case for infrastructure stocks to buy.</p>



<p>Per a White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2021/11/15/the-time-is-now-to-modernize-u-s-infrastructure/#:~:text=The%20World%20Economic%20Forum%20now,American%20Society%20of%20Civil%20Engineers.">statement</a>, &ldquo;[t]he World Economic Forum now ranks the United States 13th when it comes to the overall quality of infrastructure. Examples of our nation&rsquo;s fragile and aging infrastructure abound. More than 45,000 U.S. bridges and 1 in 5 miles of roads are in poor condition, per the American Society of Civil Engineers.&rdquo; That lays out the case for infrastructure stocks to buy.</p>



<p>Further, GlobalData reports that the North America infrastructure construction market reached a valuation of $371.6 billion last year. By 2026, the sector <a href="https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/north-america-infrastructure-construction-market-analysis/">could be worth $505.3 billion</a>, translating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%.</p>



<p>The thing is, no matter who&rsquo;s elected president in 2024, infrastructure will be a top concern. With that, below are infrastructure stocks to buy.</p>



<h2>Vulcan Materials (VMC)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/vmc-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="The Vulcan Materials (VMC) website is displayed on a smartphone screen."><div>Source: madamF / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>At first glance, <strong>Vulcan Materials</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/vmc-stock-quote/"><strong>VMC</strong></a>) might not seem like the most ideal play for infrastructure stocks to buy. For fiscal 2024, covering experts anticipate that Vulcan will only post sales of $7.81 billion. That would be up only 0.3% from last year&rsquo;s tally of $7.78 billion. Still, it&rsquo;s worth pointing out that the high-side target calls for sales of $8.08 billion.</p>



<p>Still, that would imply a top-line expansion of less than 4%, which is below the North America infrastructure market&rsquo;s projected growth. However, patient investors should consider VMC stock as fiscal 2025 may see a turnaround. Revenue could rise to $8.42 billion as a consensus view. That would be up 7.9% from projected 2024 sales. Not only that, the blue-sky sales target is aiming for $8.78 billion.</p>



<p>One drawback is that VMC trades at 4.39X trailing-year sales. That&rsquo;s a rich premium compared to the <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/VMC/summary?search=vmc">underlying sector&rsquo;s 1.16X median value</a>. However, Vulcan is one of the top-tier names that should benefit under any infrastructure initiative. Plus, it pays a forward dividend yield of 0.73%.</p>



<h2>Martin Marietta Materials (MLM)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/infrastructure-stocks-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="a highway interchange as viewed from above"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div><p>Another strong name among infrastructure stocks to buy, <strong>Martin Marietta Materials</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/mlm-stock-quote/"><strong>MLM</strong></a>) can leverage its vast network and overall clout. Analysts believe that the company&rsquo;s earnings per share may rise 13.3% to hit $21.89. On the top line, sales may rise to $7.14 billion, an increase of 5.3% from last year&rsquo;s result of $6.78 billion.</p>



<p>That&rsquo;s a lower growth rate than what the North America infrastructure sector may see. However, in fiscal 2025, experts anticipate that revenue could jump to $7.74 billion, up 8.4%. What&rsquo;s more, the high-side target calls for $8.05 billion. Profitability should be solid too, with analysts eyeballing a 12.2% gain to $24.56.</p>



<p>What makes MLM stock stand out is the underlying credibility. Between the second quarter of 2023 and Q1 2024, the company posted an average EPS of about $4.78. This translated to an earnings surprise of 35.9%.</p>



<p>Again, the drawback with Martin Marietta is the valuation. Priced at 5.27X trailing-year sales, MLM stock isn&rsquo;t cheap. However, it&rsquo;s a giant in the sector and offers a forward yield of 0.52%.</p>



<h2>Eagle Materials (EXP)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/infrastructure-stocks-1600-1-300x169.png" alt="Environmental technology concept. Picture of mountains with icons of infrastructure on top of it. Infrastructure stocks."><div>Source: metamorworks / Shutterstock</div></div><p>A somewhat smaller player in the building materials space, <strong>Eagle Materials</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/exp-stock-quote/"><strong>EXP</strong></a>) offers a balanced approach to infrastructure stocks to buy. For the current fiscal year (2025), analysts anticipate that earnings may rise to $15.62 per share, up 13.3% from the prior year. On the top line, sales could hit $2.42 billion, up 7% from fiscal 2024&rsquo;s haul of $2.26 billion.</p>



<p>That&rsquo;s slightly up from the North America infrastructure market&rsquo;s projected CAGR. In fiscal 2026, Eagle might not lose much in terms of percentage-based expansion. EPS may rise to $17.45, an increase of 11.7%. Sales might see a lift to $2.58 billion, up 6.8% from projected fiscal 2025 revenue. Also, the high-side target calls for $2.67 billion.</p>



<p>To be fair, Eagle presents a shaky picture when considering past performance. In the last four quarters, it posted EPS of around $3.45. However, the earnings surprise was roughly 3% below breakeven.</p>



<p>Still, at a sales multiple of 3.52X, it&rsquo;s priced at a discount relative to the aforementioned stalwarts. It also offers a forward yield of 0.44%.</p>



<h2>Jacobs Solutions (J)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/engineering_1600-300x169.jpg" alt="A photo of three people sitting around one end of a table, looking at a laptop screen."><div>Source: Gorodenkoff/ShutterStock.com</div></div><p><strong>Jacobs Solutions</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/j-stock-quote/"><strong>J</strong></a>) falls under the engineering and construction sector, providing consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery services. The company&rsquo;s clients include both government agencies and private-sector enterprises. With both parties incentivized to bolster building and renovation projections nationwide, Jacobs could see a significant demand bump. Therefore, it&rsquo;s one of the infrastructure stocks to buy.</p>



<p>On the bottom line, analysts see sizable expansion, with fiscal 2024 EPS projected to reach $8.03. That would imply a growth rate of 10.6%. However, the top line isn&rsquo;t nearly as impressive. Experts only see sales moving to $16.62 billion. If so, that would be up less than 2% from last year&rsquo;s tally of $16.35 billion. However, the high-side target calls for $17.37 billion, up 6.2%.</p>



<p>Fundamentally, I believe this forecast holds more weight considering the national infrastructure picture. Further, the blue-sky target for fiscal 2025 calls for $18.45 billion. The equivalent bottom-line target calls for EPS of $10.07.</p>



<p>For those who want to hold J stock, the underlying enterprise offers a forward yield of 0.84%.</p>



<h2>Fluor (FLR)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/flr-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="A Fluor (FLR) sign at the main entrance the Fluor headquarters in Irving, Texas."><div>Source: Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Based in Irving, Texas, <strong>Fluor</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/flr-stock-quote/"><strong>FLR</strong></a>) also falls under the engineering and construction category. <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/flr/">Per its corporate profile</a>, Fluor provides various services related to engineering, procurement and construction. It also specializes in fabrication and modularization, along with other operating and maintenance protocols. It&rsquo;s one of the world&rsquo;s top project management entities, making it a relevant idea for infrastructure stocks to buy.</p>



<p>What&rsquo;s appealing here is that FLR stock may bring a wide breadth of expansion to the infrastructure sector. For fiscal 2024, analysts anticipate 3.3% expansion in EPS to $2.82. On the top line, sales could rise to $17.41 billion, a robust 12.5% lift from last year&rsquo;s haul of $15.47 billion. That&rsquo;s well above the estimated CAGR for the North America infrastructure market.</p>



<p>For fiscal 2025, EPS could jump to $3.19, implying a 13.1% positive gap to projected 2024 EPS. Moreover, sales in that year may soar to $19.03 billion, bagging a 9.3% growth rate.</p>



<p>Enticingly, FLR stock trades at <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/FLR/summary?search=flr">only 0.48X trailing-year sales</a>. That&rsquo;s well below the sector median value of 0.8X.</p>



<h2>Caterpillar (CAT)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/homebuilder_construction_1600-300x169.png" alt="A photo of a person in a neon green vest holding blueprints and standing behind a white table covered with supplies like pencils, a computer, a ruler and two wooden house shapes. Homebuilder Stocks"><div>Source: ARMMY PICCA/ShutterStock.com</div></div><p>One of the biggest names within the vast ecosystem of infrastructure stocks to buy, <strong>Caterpillar</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/cat-stock-quote/"><strong>CAT</strong></a>) is a top provider of construction, mining and engineering equipment. The beautiful aspect of CAT stock is that whether the Democrats or Republicans win out, Caterpillar should see boosted demand. Again, the American electorate will likely demand buildouts and renovations so the business should be a downwind beneficiary.</p>



<p>That said, financially, Caterpillar presents a tricky narrative. For fiscal 2024, EPS may rise modestly to $21.72, which would be up 2.4%. The high-side target calls for $22.80. On the top line, sales may slip to $66.3 billion, which would imply a 1.1% reduction from last year. That view may see significant criticism.</p>



<p>It&rsquo;s not just about the need for rejuvenating our national infrastructure. With the political and ideological winds favoring green and sustainable energy solutions, the industrial mining sector will likely see increased demand for relevant commodities such as lithium, copper and nickel, among many others.</p>



<p>That should benefit Caterpillar. Therefore, CAT ranks among the infrastructure stocks to buy.</p>



<h2>American Tower (AMT)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/amt-1600-300x169.png" alt="American Tower Corporation logo on a smartphone with the website in the background on a computer screen. AMT stock."><div>Source: T. Schneider / Shutterstock</div></div><p>While not directly related to the coming buildout, <strong>American Tower</strong> (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/amt-stock-quote/"><strong>AMT</strong></a>) will more than likely benefit from any infrastructure development project. Structured as a real estate investment trust or REIT, American Tower is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications-focused properties. Of course, infrastructure wouldn&rsquo;t mean anything today without enhanced connectivity. So, AMT should be on your watch list.</p>



<p>As for the financials, American Tower also presents a tricky narrative. On the top line, sales may only reach $11.22 billion for fiscal 2024. That would imply a growth rate of less than 1%. Further, there could be some pressure in fiscal 2025, with sales possibly slipping to $10.87 billion (though I have some doubts about that).</p>



<p>Here&rsquo;s the thing to remember: American Tower provides robust passive income compared to &ldquo;pure-play&rdquo; infrastructure stocks to buy. Right now, it offers a forward yield of 3.29%. Further, fiscal 2024 projections call for EPS of $6.65, implying growth of 109%. Therefore, investors shouldn&rsquo;t ignore AMT if they want an eclectic exposure to the infrastructure ecosystem.</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Josh Enomoto</em><em> did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;</em><em>The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;</em><a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank"><em>Publishing Guidelines</em></a><em>.</em><em></em></p>
<div><p>A former senior business analyst for Sony Electronics, Josh Enomoto has helped broker major contracts with Fortune Global 500 companies. Over the past several years, he has delivered unique, critical insights for the investment markets, as well as various other industries including legal, construction management, and healthcare. Tweet him at @EnomotoMedia.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/06/7-cant-miss-infrastructure-stocks-no-matter-who-is-president/">7 Can&#8217;t-Miss Infrastructure Stocks No Matter Who Is President</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>

7 Can't-Miss Infrastructure Stocks No Matter Who Is President

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<p>It is quite possible that not only will presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump win the White House in November but the Grand Old Party may also pick up seats in the House and capture the Senate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Democrats, particularly in vulnerable swing states, were worried that a tsunami of epic proportions would wash over the elections if President Joe Biden remained on the ticket. Now in the <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/how-can-biden-win-now-1925040">aftermath of the assassination attempt</a> on Trump, even many Democrat strategists are saying winning may prove futile.</p>



<p>Yet, regardless of the political ramifications of the outcome, there are significant business and economic issues that are at stake in November.&nbsp;If Republicans controlled both the legislative and executive branches, not to mention having a fairly conservative majority on the Supreme Court, it could reshape how this country operates both here and abroad.</p>



<p>On the possibility of a rogue wave capsizing the status quo in Washington, here are three stocks to buy due to a Republican tsunami in November.</p>



<h2>Kinder Morgan (KMI)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/kinder_morgan_kmi_1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Kinder Morgan logo on a sign outside the company headquarters in Houston."><div>Source: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Expect the oil and gas industry to benefit from a Trump presidency. Although Biden promised to &ldquo;end fossil fuels&rdquo; while campaigning in 2020, production has actually grown during his administration, even exceeding that of Trump&rsquo;s first administration. The U.S. Energy Information Administration <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545#">says the U.S. today</a> &ldquo;produces more crude oil than any country, ever.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet certain areas have been closed off to drilling, such as <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/06/biden-to-cancel-trumps-oil-drilling-leases-in-alaskan-nature-refuge-00114243">some 10 million acres</a> in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. That could reopen under Trump. And while oil and gas giants like <strong>Exxon Mobil</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/xom-stock-quote/"><strong>XOM</strong></a></span>) and <strong>Chevron</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/cvx-stock-quote/"><strong>CVX</strong></a></span>) would undoubtedly benefit, as would oil industry services firms like <strong>Halliburton</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/hal-stock-quote/"><strong>HAL</strong></a></span>), the real energy play is likely in the midstream sector. Transportation and storage facility operators would see increases in petroleum and natural gas flowing through their networks. <strong>Kinder Morgan International</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/kmi-stock-quote/"><strong>KMI</strong></a></span>) could be the biggest beneficiary.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The company is the <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/01/3-dynamic-dividend-stocks-in-warren-buffetts-secret-portfolio/">largest energy infrastructure company</a> in North America. It owns interests in or operates approximately 84,000 miles of pipelines and approximately 180 terminals. Kinder Morgan stock is also cheap.</p>



<p>Despite rising 15% in 2024 KMI stock still trades at 16 times next year&rsquo;s earnings and a deeply discounted 10x free cash flow (<span>FCF</span>). Although Wall Street currently forecasts long-term earnings growth of just 5% annually, a Republican sweep could set up Kinder Morgan for dramatic margin expansion.</p>



<h2>Elbit Systems (ESLT)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/elbit-eslt-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Hermes 900 drone at a showcase"><div>Source: Jordan Tan / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Border security will also be a primary focus of a Republican-controlled government. A staggering <a href="https://homeland.house.gov/2024/05/22/startling-stats-factsheet-biden-administration-on-track-to-reach-10-million-encounters-nationwide-before-end-of-fiscal-year/">10 million illegal immigrants</a> have entered the U.S. during Biden&rsquo;s administration. Southern border crossings have doubled since 2021 while northern border crossings are up 1,240%, according to the House Committee on Homeland Security.</p>



<p>Securing the borders from further infiltration by finishing the wall will undoubtedly be a top priority. U.S. taxpayers, and not Mexico, will pay for it but companies will see contracts flowing to construct it. Companies like <strong>Vulcan Materials</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/vmc-stock-quote/"><strong>VMC</strong></a></span>),which is the country&rsquo;s largest producer of construction aggregates, could participate in border wall construction.</p>



<p>Yet technology solutions will likely play a bigger role than just physical barriers. Deploying radar, LiDAR, sensors and other technology would complement a wall. <strong>Elbit Systems</strong> (NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/eslt-stock-quote/"><strong>ESLT</strong></a></span>) could gain as its systems are used by Israel along the West Bank. It has also provided virtual security along the U.S. southern border as well.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Elbit installs and maintains <a href="http://elbitsystems.com/product/border-security/">integrated fixed tower systems</a>. According to the company, its persistent border security system &ldquo;provides real-time regional surveillance, early warning, targeting and border-patrol mission management.&rdquo;</p>



<p>Elbit Systems stock is down 11% in 2024 but at less than twice sales, it could rapidly melt up in the event of a Republican tsunami.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>UnitedHealth Group (UNH)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/unh1600-300x169.jpg" alt="The UnitedHealth (UNH) headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota."><div>Source: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p>Health insurance and managed care provider <strong>UnitedHealth Group</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/unh-stock-quote/"><strong>UNH</strong></a></span>) could also benefit from a Trump presidency. A focus on reduced regulation and improved reimbursement schedules under the Medicare Advantage program are just some ways a streamlined bureaucracy would lift UnitedHealth.</p>



<p>The insurer ended 2023 with 7.7 million people <a href="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176624000081/unh-20231231.htm">covered by its Medicare Advantage</a> policies. In the past, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (<span>CMS</span>) has reduced or frozen reimbursements. Premium revenue from CMS represented 40% of UnitedHealth Group&rsquo;s revenue last year.</p>



<p>UNH stock dropped to a two-year low earlier this year on less-than-expected increases in the Medicare Advantage program. Because they were experiencing already high but still rising medical costs, the lower rates mean insurers can&rsquo;t charge as much for monthly premiums and plan benefits.</p>



<p>UnitedHealth jumped 5% after the presidential debate at the end of June which was largely seen as disastrous for Biden. The stock is down 3% for the year. With the insurer trading at less than twice sales and going for 16 times earnings estimates, it should <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/07/cash-flow-alert-3-stocks-that-just-raised-their-dividends/">see significant growth</a> with a Republican win in November.</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Rich Duprey held a LONG position in XOM and CVX stock. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com <a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/">Publishing Guidelines</a>.</em></p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, the responsible editor did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.</em></p>
<div><p>Rich Duprey has written about stocks and investing for the past 20 years. His articles have appeared on Nasdaq.com, The Motley Fool, and Yahoo! Finance, and he has been referenced by U.S. and international publications, including MarketWatch, Financial Times, Forbes, Fast Company, USA Today, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Cheddar News, The Boston Globe, L&rsquo;Express, and numerous other news outlets.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/07/the-3-best-stocks-to-buy-for-a-republican-tsunami-in-november/">The 3 Best Stocks to Buy For a Republican Tsunami in November</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>

The 3 Best Stocks to Buy For a Republican Tsunami in November

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