Executive Summary
Vulcan Materials posted a resilient Q4 2024 with revenue of USD 1,853.7 million, up 1.06% year-over-year and down 7.50% quarter-over-quarter. The quarter delivered solid profitability, with gross profit of USD 537.2 million and a gross margin of 28.98%, supported by a robust operating margin of 21.63% and an net income margin of 15.84% (net income USD 293.7 million; EPS USD 2.22). The company continues to generate meaningful cash flow, evidenced by operating cash flow of USD 440.1 million and free cash flow of USD 277.6 million after capital expenditures of USD 162.5 million. Notably, Vulcan incurred a sizeable investing outflow driven by acquisitions (acquisitions net USD -2.0598 billion with other investing activities of USD +49.2 million), while financing activity contributed USD 1.8995 billion, culminating in a modest net increase in cash of USD 166.5 million and a year-end cash balance of USD 600.8 million.
The balance sheet remains robust with total assets of USD 17.1048 billion and total stockholdersโ equity of USD 8.1186 billion. Liquidity metrics are solid: current ratio 1.83, quick ratio 1.28, and cash ratio 0.485. Leverage is elevated given the acquisitions, with total debt USD 5.8288 billion and net debt USD 5.269 billion, but interest coverage stands at ~7.9x, and debt-to-capitalization sits at 0.421. The quarterly and full-year metrics show margin stability and meaningful cash generation, though the earnings mix will depend on ongoing infrastructure spending and the successful integration of acquisitions. While management commentary is not captured in the provided transcript data, the quantitative results imply a company positioned to capitalize on infrastructure demand while balancing leverage and integration risk.
Key Performance Indicators
Key Insights
Revenue: USD 1,853.7m in Q4 2024; YoY +1.06%, QoQ -7.50%
Gross Profit: USD 537.2m; Gross Margin: 28.98%
Operating Income: USD 401.0m; Operating Margin: 21.63%
Net Income: USD 293.7m; Net Margin: 15.84%
EPS: USD 2.22; Diluted EPS: USD 2.21; YoY EPS growth: +29.82%; QoQ EPS growth: +41.40%
EBITDA: USD 561.6m; EBITDA Margin: 30.30%
Key cash flow: Operating Cash Flow USD 440.1m; Capex USD 162.5m; Free Cash Flow USD 277.6m
Balance sheet snapshot: Total assets USD 17.1048b; Total liabilities USD 8.962...
Financial Highlights
Revenue: USD 1,853.7m in Q4 2024; YoY +1.06%, QoQ -7.50%
Gross Profit: USD 537.2m; Gross Margin: 28.98%
Operating Income: USD 401.0m; Operating Margin: 21.63%
Net Income: USD 293.7m; Net Margin: 15.84%
EPS: USD 2.22; Diluted EPS: USD 2.21; YoY EPS growth: +29.82%; QoQ EPS growth: +41.40%
EBITDA: USD 561.6m; EBITDA Margin: 30.30%
Key cash flow: Operating Cash Flow USD 440.1m; Capex USD 162.5m; Free Cash Flow USD 277.6m
Balance sheet snapshot: Total assets USD 17.1048b; Total liabilities USD 8.9623b; Stockholdersโ equity USD 8.1186b; Cash USD 559.7m; Net Debt USD 5.269b
Liquidity and leverage: Current ratio 1.83; Quick ratio 1.28; Interest Coverage 7.94x; Debt to Capitalization 0.421; Long-term Debt to Capitalization 0.377; Payout ratio 20.7%
Capital allocation: Acquisitions net cash outflow USD -2.0598b; Other investing USD +49.2m; Net investing cash flow USD -2.1731b; Financing activities net cash inflow USD +1.8995b; Net change in cash USD +166.5m; Cash at end USD 600.8m
Income Statement
| Metric |
Value |
YoY Change |
QoQ Change |
| Revenue |
1.85B |
1.06% |
-7.50% |
| Gross Profit |
537.20M |
13.77% |
-4.95% |
| Operating Income |
401.00M |
21.59% |
18.96% |
| Net Income |
293.70M |
29.16% |
41.47% |
| EPS |
2.22 |
29.82% |
41.40% |
Key Financial Ratios
operatingProfitMargin
22.3%
operatingCashFlowPerShare
$3.33
freeCashFlowPerShare
$2.1
dividendPayoutRatio
20.7%
Management Commentary
No earnings transcript data provided in the input. Consequently, there are no management quotes or highlighted call themes to extract from the transcript within this dataset.
Forward Guidance
The QQ4 2024 data does not include explicit forward guidance. Investors should monitor: (1) US infrastructure spending tailwinds that support construction materials volumes (aggregates, asphalt, concrete) and pricing power, (2) the pace and integration of the latest acquisitions and the realization of anticipated synergies, (3) commodity input costs and freight dynamics affecting marginal profitability, and (4) leverage trajectory and cash flow generation to support deleveraging and potential capital returns. Management typically addresses volume expectations and price/mix discipline on calls; in the absence of formal guidance, investors should assess medium-term demand signals from public infrastructure programs and private construction activity, along with the companyโs ability to convert this into steady FCF and sustainable leverage.