Vulcan Materials Company (VMC), headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, produces and supplies construction aggregates. Valued at $36.7 billion by market cap, the company’s principal product lines are aggregates, asphalt mix and concrete, and cement. The largest producer of construction aggregates is expected to announce its fiscal first-quarter earnings for 2026 on Wednesday, Apr. 29.
Ahead of the event, analysts expect VMC to report a profit of $1.25 per share on a diluted basis, up 25% from $1 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company beat the consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing the forecast on two other occasions.
For the full year, analysts expect VMC to report EPS of $9.39, up 17.4% from $8 in fiscal 2025. Its EPS is expected to rise 12.7% year over year to $10.58 in fiscal 2027.
VMC stock has underperformed the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 30.7% gains over the past 52 weeks, with shares up 21.6% during this period. Similarly, it lagged behind the State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF’s (XLB) 30.7% returns over the same time frame.
VMC's underperformance is due to weaker single-family residential demand, early winter weather disruptions, and increased repair and insurance costs. CEO Ronnie Pruitt noted that product mix and geographic factors reduced pricing gains, but cost controls helped limit expense growth. Looking ahead, VMC expects improved demand from public infrastructure and private projects, especially data centers, driven by IIJA funds.
Analysts’ consensus opinion on VMC stock is reasonably bullish, with a “Moderate Buy” rating overall. Out of 22 analysts covering the stock, 14 advise a “Strong Buy” rating, one suggests a “Moderate Buy,” six give a “Hold,” and one recommends a “Strong Sell.” VMC’s average analyst price target is $332.43, indicating a potential upside of 19.6% from the current levels.
