Kathryn Thompson, CEO of Thompson Research Group, said in a latest program on CNBC that CRH PLC (NYSE:CRH) is among the top AI derivative plays to benefit from the AI boom impacting various industries. “The thing is that there’s been a lot of talk about AI for the past couple of years, but the first companies to see it are actually the heavy material companies, and we’ve already been seeing it. CRH PLC (NYSE:CRH) CEO explained this. During an earnings call in August, CRH PLC (NYSE:CRH) CEO Jim Mintern t ...

CHIHUAHUA, Mexico, Oct. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GCC, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: GCC*), cement and concrete in the United States and Mexico, will host a conference call to review its third quarter 2025 earnings results on Wednesday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m. (ET). Earnings results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, will be released on Tuesday, October 21, after market close. The call will be hosted by Enrique Escalante, CEO, and Maik Strecker, CFO, and can be accessed by dialing +1 (877) 407 0789 or +1 ...

Core Insights - Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. has successfully navigated all regulatory requirements for its asset exchange with Quikrete Holdings, expected to finalize in Q4 2025, enhancing its focus on aggregates and improving financial flexibility with a significant cash influx [1][5] Strategic Shift Toward Aggregates - The agreement allows Martin Marietta to acquire aggregate operations that produce approximately 20 million tons annually across Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, and Vancouver, British Columbia, expanding its geographic footprint and strengthening its position in high-growth infrastructure and construction markets [2][8] - Aggregates are crucial to Martin Marietta's business model, offering higher margins and more stable demand compared to cement and ready-mixed concrete, reflecting management's strategy to concentrate on competitive strengths [2] Strengthened Balance Sheet & Growth Outlook - Martin Marietta will receive $450 million in cash as part of the deal, enhancing liquidity and providing options for debt reduction, shareholder returns, or reinvestment in growth opportunities [3][8] - Exiting the lower-margin cement business by trading its Midlothian cement plant and related assets allows the company to streamline its portfolio and focus on aggregates-driven growth [3] Long-Term Benefits for Shareholders - The asset swap positions Martin Marietta to capitalize on multi-year infrastructure spending trends, residential development, and consistent demand from public works projects, improving earnings visibility and resilience against market fluctuations [4] - The transaction indicates a more focused, higher-margin growth strategy, which could support stock price appreciation and multiple expansions for shareholders [4] Stock Performance - Martin Marietta's stock has increased by 21.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Concrete & Aggregates industry, the broader Construction sector, and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite [6]

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM) (Martin Marietta or the Company), today announced that it has received all necessary regulatory approvals for its previously announced asset exchange with Quikrete Holdings, Inc. (Quikrete). The transaction is now expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, Martin Marietta will acquire aggregates operations with annual production of appr ...

Finnish materials technology company Betolar and limestone company Nordkalk have started a joint research project to explore new uses for circular calcite. Circular calcite is a byproduct derived from flotation tailings at Nordkalk’s Lappeenranta site in Finland. The agreement sets out plans for a potential long-term partnership focused on commercialising circular calcite for applications in construction or mining, pending technical validation and market evaluation. Betolar president and CEO Tuija Kalpa ...

Market Overview - The market is experiencing a rebound despite concerns about overvaluation and risks related to inflation and labor weakness, as highlighted by JPAL's comments [1][2] - The AI trade remains strong, with continued positive performance from AI-related companies, indicating that this sector is still in its early stages of growth [3][2] Earnings and Market Sentiment - There is a lull in earnings reports, with significant companies like Costco and Nike reporting soon, leading to a quieter market period until bank earnings resume on October 14 [4][5] - Investors are advised to focus on fundamentals and technicals, tuning out the noise from political and market chatter [6] Investment Focus - The investment strategy includes a diversified approach, favoring sectors such as technology, industrials, financials, and select energy companies [7] - Vulcan Materials is highlighted as a strong investment choice due to its dominant position in the aggregates market, which is essential for construction [8][15] Company Performance - Vulcan Materials has successfully increased its pricing, raising the price per ton of aggregate by 55% over the last five years, despite facing some headwinds [13][12] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from upcoming infrastructure projects, particularly with the Space Force initiative in Alabama, which will require significant concrete supplies [9][14] Competitive Position - Vulcan Materials is recognized for its strong pricing power and high award-winning rate from municipalities, indicating a competitive edge in securing contracts [14][15] - Although Vulcan has underperformed compared to peers like Martin Marietta this year, its potential for future growth remains strong due to its market dominance [12][15]

Group 1 - CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. is recognized as one of the best cement stocks to buy, with analysts at BofA Securities reiterating a 'Neutral' rating and raising the price target to $10 and $8.60 based on updated discounted cash flow analysis for 2026 projections [1][2] - The company has outperformed other cement stocks over the past six months, experiencing a 53% increase, attributed to aggressive cost-saving programs and a focus on generating free cash flow [3] - The appointment of a new CEO has positively influenced market sentiment, with plans to improve the company's return on invested capital and deploy $2 billion in disciplined mergers and acquisitions for growth opportunities [4] Group 2 - CEMEX is a global producer and distributor of building materials, primarily focusing on cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates, with a commitment to innovative and sustainable building solutions emphasizing carbon neutrality and resource management [5]

Group 1 - Eagle Materials Inc. is recognized as one of the best cement stocks to buy, with analysts expressing confidence in the growth outlook for the construction materials sector due to improving demand trends [1] - JPMorgan has raised its price target for Eagle Materials from $220 to $245 while maintaining a Neutral rating, indicating optimism about the company's ability to capitalize on heightened investments in infrastructure and non-residential spending [2] - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Eagle Materials reported record revenue of $634.6 million, a 4% year-over-year increase, driven by higher cement sales and contributions from acquired aggregate businesses [3] Group 2 - Eagle Materials manufactures and distributes a variety of building products, including Portland cement, gypsum wallboard, concrete, and aggregates, catering to residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction [4]

Group 1 - CRH PLC is recognized as one of the best cement stocks to buy, bolstered by the election of Patrick Decker to the board of directors [1][2] - Patrick Decker brings extensive experience in accounting and finance, having previously served as president and CEO of Xylem and Harsco Corporation, and currently sits on the board of Johnson Controls International [2] - The appointment of Decker follows CRH's $2.1 billion acquisition of Eco Material Technologies, enhancing its capabilities in near-zero carbon cement production and access to fly ash and green cement operations [3] Group 2 - CRH PLC is a provider of building materials and solutions for infrastructure and construction projects, offering products such as aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt [4]

Core Points - Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will host its Capital Markets Day on September 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time [1] - The event will feature discussions on the company's long-term value creation strategies through the SOAR 2030 plan, led by CEO Ward Nye and the leadership team [2] - A live video webcast will be available for the event, with a replay and presentation slides accessible on the company's website afterward [3] Company Overview - Martin Marietta is a leading supplier of building materials, including aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete, and asphalt, and is a member of the S&P 500 Index [4] - The company operates across 28 states, Canada, and The Bahamas, providing essential resources for community infrastructure [4] - Martin Marietta's Magnesia Specialties division produces high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products for various applications globally [4]