Although cost pressures and uneven end-market conditions are likely to remain headwinds for the Zacks Concrete & Aggregates industry, federal infrastructure spending should help for players like VMC and EXP.
AI data center growth is driving demand for copper, concrete, and cooling. Freeport-McMoRan, Vulcan Materials, and Vertiv are well positioned to benefit.
Vulcan Materials remains the dominant U.S. producer of construction aggregates, benefiting from secular demand and high barriers to entry. Q2 2026 results reinforced the thesis: revenue rose 2.6% to $2.16B, with adjusted EPS up 5.7% to $2.59, beating the consensus. VMC trades at a forward P/E of 27.39, below its 10-year average, with a fair value estimate of $337 per share and potential for 31% total return by 2027.
Vulcan Materials Company is positioned as a high-margin, infrastructure-focused 'picks and shovels' play within the Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence, or HALO, theme. Aggregates drive 90% of VMC's gross profit, with a 72.7-year reserve life and a focus on unit profitability, evidenced by a 45% increase in cash gross profit per ton since 2022. VMC management targets a doubling of EBITDA in five to six years via M&A, greenfield expansion, and steady per-ton margin growth, despite cyclical construction demand risks.
Amundi decreased its position in shares of Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) by 17.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 407,298 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 88,105 shares during the period. Amundi
Stocks took a beating Tuesday as surging oil prices and looming inflation data rattled every corner of the market, and now Wall Street analysts are reshuffling their calls on names ranging from nuclear energy upstart Oklo to retail giants Abercrombie and Ulta Beauty.
Emerald Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 14,757 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $4,353,000. Other large investors have also made