Martin Marietta Faces Headwinds: Q3 Revenue Declines Amid Severe Weather Impacts, Revises Outlook

Martin Marietta Materials Inc MLM reported a third-quarter revenue decline of 5% to $1.889 billion, missing the consensus of $1.934 billion.

Gross profit was $599 million (-11%), and the margin contracted to 32% from 34% a year ago. 

Building Materials business revenue was $1.8 billion (-6%), and the corresponding gross profit was $588 million (-9%).

Aggregate shipments decreased by 3.9% to 53.7 million tons, while the average selling price increased by 7.7% (or 8.9% on an organic mix-adjusted basis) to $21.52 per ton.

Adjusted EBITDA declined 8% to $646 million in the quarter. EPS fell 15% to $5.91, missing the consensus of $6.32.

Martin Marietta’s operating cash flow for the nine months stood at $773 million, compared with $973 million for the prior year.

The company held $52 million of cash and cash equivalents and $1.1 billion of unused borrowing capacity on its existing credit facilities as of September 30, 2024.

The company returned $591 million to shareholders through dividend payments and share repurchases during the nine-months. As of September 30, there were 11.9 million shares remaining under the current repurchase authorization.

Martin Marietta CEO Ward Nye said, “Significant July precipitation together with Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina, Hurricane Beryl in Texas and Hurricane Helene across much of our Southeast footprint all occurred during the quarter.”

“Although these events are short-term and temporary, they nonetheless adversely impacted our third-quarter product shipments, geographic mix and financial results..,” Nye added.

2024 Guidance Revised: Martin Marietta Materials lowered revenues to $6.450 billion -$6.705 billion (from $6.50 billion – $6.94 billion) vs. consensus $6.61 billion and adjusted EBITDA to $2.015 billion-$2.115 billion (from $2.10 billion – $2.30 billion prior).

The company now expects average selling price growth of 9.0% – 11.0% for Aggregates. 

Nye added, “Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we expect to benefit from record levels of federal and state investments in highways, streets and bridges. Additionally, reshoring and the build-out of artificial intelligence infrastructure should provide steady growth in these aggregates-intensive end markets for years to come.”

“Further, although higher interest rates continue to affect residential construction activity, we are encouraged by recent Federal Reserve policy actions and the likelihood of more interest rate cuts later this year, which should support a recovery in housing and, subsequently, light nonresidential construction activity.”

“Importantly, we fully expect our aggregates price/cost spread to continue to expand over time, driving improvement in unit profitability through macroeconomic cycles.”

Investors can gain exposure to the stock via TCW Transform Supply Chain ETF SUPP and Invesco Building & Construction ETF PKB.

Price Action: MLM shares are up 2.62% at $599.15 at the last check Wednesday.

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