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 ...

, /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:Â VMC) will host its third quarter 2025 earnings conference call on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CT (10:00 a.m. ET). Financial results will be released before the NYSE market opens. The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call at www.vulcanmaterials.com. To participate by phone, call 800-343-4849 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. For international calls, the numbe ...

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 ...

Group 1 - Northstar Clean Technologies has developed a process to separate and recover limestone from asphalt shingles, enhancing its sustainability efforts [1] - Sunun has launched the first residential vehicle-to-grid power plant in the nation, utilizing Ford F-150 Lightning trucks to supply electricity during peak demand [2] - The pilot program expands on last year's vehicle-to-home initiative, enabling bi-directional energy dispatch and demonstrating the potential of EV batteries to stabilize the grid and reduce energy costs [3] Group 2 - Methanex is expanding its methanol bunkering services in Amsterdam and South Korea through partnerships with Tank Match, Alpha Maritime, and Huong Shipping, focusing on low-carbon marine fuel [3][4] - These expansions strengthen Methanex's global logistics network and position the company to meet the rising demand for low-carbon marine fuel amid tightening environmental regulations [4] - Star Lab Space has selected Voyager Technologies to construct the primary structure for its next-generation commercial space station, aimed at providing continuous access to low Earth orbit [4][5]

Group 1: Market Overview - The US large-cap equity market experienced significant growth in Q2 2025, with the S&P 500® Index increasing by 10.94% [1] - The market's strength was attributed to reduced concerns over potential harsh tariffs from President Trump, as the administration paused tariff implementation [1] Group 2: Macquarie Core Equity Fund Performance - The Macquarie Core Equity Fund's Institutional Class achieved a return of 11.94%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index [1] - Sector selection contributed to 80% of the fund's relative performance, while individual security selection accounted for the remaining 20% [1] Group 3: Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC) Insights - Vulcan Materials Company is the largest producer of construction aggregates in the US, with a one-month return of 2.11% and a 52-week gain of 18.46% [2][3] - As of September 18, 2025, Vulcan's stock closed at $298.58 per share, with a market capitalization of $39.45 billion [2] - The company benefits from its oligopoly status in major markets, allowing for rational competition and consistent price increases above cost inflation, which is expected to enhance profitability in the coming years [3] Group 4: Hedge Fund Interest - Vulcan Materials Company was held by 59 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2025, an increase from 56 in the previous quarter [4] - Despite its potential, some analysts believe that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk compared to Vulcan [4]

Group 1 - Commodity trading giants Vitol and Glencore are preparing to bid for Chevron's 50% stake in Singapore Refining Company (SRC) as Chevron aims to cut costs and realign its downstream business priorities [1][5] - Singapore Refining Company operates Singapore's second-largest refinery with a crude unit capacity of 145,000 barrels per day, producing various products including gasoline and jet fuel [2] - The total valuation for the entire 100% stake in Singapore Refining Company is estimated to be around $1 billion [2] Group 2 - Chevron is focusing on a balanced portfolio of refineries across Asia, with significant investments planned in regions like Korea for petrochemicals and heavy oil upgrading [3] - In contrast, Chevron has opted not to make large investments in Singapore, aiming for better returns on capital employed [4] - The company is actively working to optimize its global portfolio by concentrating on core growth assets to enhance profitability [4]

The share price of Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) fell by 10.92% between September 5 and September 12, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. Delek US Holdings (DK) Falls After a Strong Rally Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) is a diversified downstream energy company specializing in petroleum refining, asphalt, renewable fuels, and logistics. Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) rallied earlier this month after Wolfe Research upgraded the stock from ‘Peer Perform’ to ‘Ou ...

Financial Performance - Vulcan Materials Company has demonstrated strong EBITDA and free cash flow margins, leading to an upgrade in its Long-term Issuer Default Rating to BBB+ from BBB by Fitch Ratings [1][2] - The company's leverage levels improved to 2.2x from 2.6x following a $2.3 billion acquisition in 2024, with expectations to average between 2x and 2.5x in the coming years [3] - The EBITDA margin improved by 200 basis points in 2024, with further improvements expected between 100 and 150 basis points in 2025 due to strong pricing and operational efficiencies [3] Market Position - Vulcan Materials is recognized as one of the largest producers of construction aggregates in the United States, providing essential materials such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel [4] - The company has a diverse quarry network spanning 23 states, which contributes to its leading market position and substantial financial flexibility [2]

Core Insights - Martin Marietta Materials Inc. has launched the SOAR 2030 strategic plan aimed at enhancing its leadership in the aggregates-focused building materials industry [1][2] - The plan emphasizes operational excellence through technological innovation, cost discipline, and strategic portfolio realignment [2] - The acquisition of Premier Magnesia is a key component of the SOAR 2030 plan, targeting high-performance materials demand in industrial and environmental applications [3] Company Overview - Martin Marietta Materials Inc. is a construction material company that supplies aggregates such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel through a network of quarries, mines, and distribution yards [4] - Major products include cement, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt, and paving services [4] Strategic Initiatives - The asset exchange with Quikrete highlights a shift towards a more resilient business model [2] - The focus on high-margin aggregates and operational efficiency positions the company to benefit from increased infrastructure spending [3]

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]