Key Takeaways VRSK, SHIP and VMC announced dividend hikes on Feb. 13 amid market volatility.SHIP will pay $0.20 per share on Apr. 10 and has raised dividends seven times in five years.VMC will pay $0.52 per share on Mar. 23 and has a 23% payout ratio.Wall Street has remained volatile for most of 2026, with major indexes giving up their previous gains. Tech stocks, which have driven the market rally over the past few years, have lately been taking a beating. Also, high inflation and uncertainty over the Fede ...

Core Viewpoint - Vulcan Materials Company (VMC) is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 17, with expectations of revenue growth driven by aggregates pricing and volume increases, despite facing margin pressures from cost inflation and tariff uncertainties [1][9]. Group 1: Earnings and Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) has decreased to $2.13 from $2.16, indicating a 1.8% decline year-over-year [2]. - The consensus estimate for total revenues is projected at $1.94 billion, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year growth [2]. - In the last reported quarter, Vulcan's adjusted earnings and total revenues exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6% and 1.7%, respectively, with year-over-year increases of 27.9% and 14.4% [1]. Group 2: Revenue Drivers - Revenue growth in the fourth quarter is expected to be supported by increased aggregates pricing and volume growth, driven by robust public construction and private nonresidential activities [3]. - Favorable weather conditions, particularly in the South, and completed acquisitions on both coasts are anticipated to contribute positively to revenue [3]. - The backlog in public and private projects is expected to provide a strong pipeline of demand, enhancing revenue visibility [3]. Group 3: Segment Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from the Aggregates segment is $1.55 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 5.2%, while the Concrete segment is estimated at $198 million, indicating a 20.7% increase [5]. - Conversely, the Asphalt mix segment is projected to generate $317 million, representing a 3.1% decline year-over-year [5]. - Unit shipment volumes for Aggregates and Concrete are expected to rise to 55,521 tons and 1,125 tons, respectively, while Asphalt mix shipments are anticipated to decrease to 3,332 tons [6]. Group 4: Margin Trends and Challenges - Vulcan's bottom line is likely to be impacted by cost inflation and ongoing tariff uncertainties, which may restrict growth despite price increases [7]. - The company is facing macroeconomic headwinds and pressures in end markets such as single-family housing, which could further limit bottom-line growth [7]. Group 5: Earnings Prediction - The Zacks model indicates that Vulcan is not expected to achieve an earnings beat this quarter, with an Earnings ESP of -1.58% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [8][10].

Core Insights - Vulcan Materials (VMC) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.68 per share, reflecting a 20.7% increase year-over-year, with revenues projected at $2.25 billion, a 12.5% increase from the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 3.3% in the last 30 days, indicating analysts' reassessment of their initial projections [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Projections - Analysts forecast 'Net Sales- Aggregates' at $1.77 billion, a 12.8% increase year-over-year [5]. - The consensus estimate for 'Net Sales- Concrete' is $212.85 million, suggesting a 22.1% year-over-year increase [5]. - 'Net Sales- Asphalt' is estimated at $404.86 million, reflecting a 6.2% increase from the previous year [5]. Unit Sales and Prices - The average unit sales price per ton for Aggregates is expected to reach $22.42, up from $21.27 in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'Unit shipments - Aggregates' are projected at 62,556 thousand tons, compared to 57,700 thousand tons a year ago [6]. - 'Unit shipments - Asphalt mix' are expected to be 4,174 thousand tons, up from 4,100 thousand tons last year [7]. - 'Unit shipments - Ready-mixed concrete' are forecasted at 1,140 thousand cubic yards, compared to 900 thousand cubic yards last year [7]. - The average unit sales price per ton for Asphalt mix is projected to be $84.90, up from $80.88 last year [8]. - The average unit sales price per cubic yard for Ready-mixed concrete is expected to reach $190.20, compared to $185.61 last year [8]. Gross Profit Estimates - 'Gross profit- Aggregates' is expected to reach $614.42 million, compared to $498.50 million last year [9]. - 'Gross Profit- Asphalt' is projected at $62.95 million, up from $60.20 million in the same quarter last year [9]. - 'Gross Profit- Concrete' is estimated to be $15.85 million, compared to $6.50 million last year [10]. Stock Performance - Vulcan's shares have decreased by 4.9% over the past month, contrasting with a 3.8% increase in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [10]. - With a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), VMC is anticipated to outperform the overall market in the near future [10].

Core Insights - Vulcan Materials (VMC) reported revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 5.8% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) was $1.00, up from $0.80 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of +26.58% against the consensus estimate of $0.79 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Revenue was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.68 billion by -2.56% [1] - Average unit sales price per ton for Aggregates was $22.03, slightly above the estimated $21.93 [4] - Unit shipments for Aggregates were reported at 47,800 KTon, lower than the average estimate of 48,615.59 KTon [4] - Net sales for Aggregates reached $1.34 billion, compared to the average estimate of $1.37 billion, marking a year-over-year increase of +3.5% [4] - Net sales for Asphalt were $208.70 million, exceeding the average estimate of $197.61 million, with a year-over-year change of +12.1% [4] - Net sales for Concrete were $177 million, below the average estimate of $186.98 million, but reflecting a year-over-year increase of +19.4% [4] Stock Performance - Vulcan's shares returned +3.4% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which saw a -0.2% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market [3]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts project that Vulcan Materials (VMC) will report quarterly earnings of $0.80 per share, with revenues expected to reach $1.68 billion, reflecting an 8.7% increase year over year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised downward by 0.1% over the past 30 days, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Projections - Analysts estimate 'Net sales- Aggregates' at $1.37 billion, representing a 6.4% increase from the previous year [5]. - 'Net sales- Concrete' is projected to reach $186.98 million, indicating a year-over-year change of 26.1% [5]. - 'Net sales- Asphalt' is expected to be $197.61 million, reflecting a 6.1% increase from the prior year [5]. Unit Sales and Shipments - The average unit sales price per ton for Aggregates is expected to be $21.93, up from $20.59 a year ago [6]. - 'Unit shipments - Aggregates' are projected to reach 48,615.59 KTon, compared to 48,100 KTon in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'Unit shipments - Asphalt mix' are forecasted at 2,126.28 KTon, slightly up from 2,100 KTon reported last year [6]. Concrete Metrics - 'Unit shipments - Ready-mixed concrete' are likely to reach 1,050.74 KCuYd, compared to 800 KCuYd in the same quarter last year [7]. - The average unit sales price per ton for Asphalt mix is expected to be $81.15, up from $77.83 a year ago [7]. - The average unit sales price per cubic yard for Ready-mixed concrete is projected at $186.66, compared to $182.73 last year [8]. Profit Estimates - Analysts estimate 'Gross profit- Aggregates' at $339.12 million, up from $303.30 million in the previous year [8]. - The consensus estimate for 'Gross Profit- Asphalt' stands at $1.97 million, down from $4.70 million reported last year [9]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, Vulcan shares have returned +5.2%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.8% change [9].