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Vulcan Materials Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 April 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose nine percent: Adjusted EBITDA was $447 million, up from $411 million, with margin of 25.5 percent against 25.1 percent. Net earnings attributable to Vulcan were $165 million, against $129 million. Source
  • Aggregates gross profit up twelve percent: Aggregates segment gross profit rose 12 percent to $400 million, or $8.01 per ton, and gross margin expanded 90 basis points to 27.6 percent. Source
  • Aggregates shipments rose five percent: Aggregates shipments were 50.0 million tons against 47.8 million, supported by large projects, public construction growth, and more typical weather. Prior-year shipments were hit by severe winter weather. Source
  • Freight-adjusted price rose 3.5 percent: Freight-adjusted selling price was $22.80 per ton against $22.03, up 4 percent mix-adjusted. Price increases effective at the start of the year produced widespread pricing growth. Source
  • Shareholder returns of $217 million: The company returned $217 million to shareholders, including $149 million of common stock repurchases and $68 million of dividends. Source

“The combination of our advantaged aggregates-led business and consistent focus on our strategic disciplines resulted in Adjusted EBITDA growth of 9 percent and margin expansion in the first quarter.”

Ronnie Pruitt, Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The California ready-mixed concrete business, previously agreed for disposition, is still pending and was included in first quarter results; closing is now expected in the second quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose nine percent: Adjusted EBITDA was $447 million, up from $411 million, with margin of 25.5 percent against 25.1 percent. Net earnings attributable to Vulcan were $165 million, against $129 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose on higher earnings: Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.27, against $0.98. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.35, against $1.00. Source
  • Trailing revenue and EBITDA higher: Trailing-twelve-month total revenues were $8,062 million against $7,507 million, and trailing-twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA was $2,360 million against $2,145 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • Aggregates gross profit up twelve percent: Aggregates segment gross profit rose 12 percent to $400 million, or $8.01 per ton, and gross margin expanded 90 basis points to 27.6 percent. Source
  • Asphalt margin improved sharply: Asphalt gross profit was $12.2 million against $4.8 million. Asphalt shipments rose 2 percent and price rose 3 percent. Prior-year results included the divested Houston asphalt business. Source
  • Concrete gross profit higher: Concrete gross profit was $10.2 million against $3.2 million, with gross margin expanded to 5 percent. First quarter results included the California ready-mixed concrete business. Source

“Our execution in the first quarter, in addition to a healthy backlog supported by large projects and public construction activity, gives us good momentum heading into the rest of the year.”

Ronnie Pruitt, Chief Executive Officer

Pricing and shipments

  • Aggregates shipments rose five percent: Aggregates shipments were 50.0 million tons against 47.8 million, supported by large projects, public construction growth, and more typical weather. Prior-year shipments were hit by severe winter weather. Source
  • Freight-adjusted price rose 3.5 percent: Freight-adjusted selling price was $22.80 per ton against $22.03, up 4 percent mix-adjusted. Price increases effective at the start of the year produced widespread pricing growth. Source
  • Unit cash cost rose four percent: Freight-adjusted unit cash cost of sales increased 4 percent, or $0.47 per ton, which management described as consistent with expectations. Source

Costs and SAG expense

  • SAG expense declined two percent: SAG expense was $136 million against $138 million, 2 percent lower, and 80 basis points lower as a percentage of revenue at 7.7 percent. Source
  • Cash gross profit per ton rose: Cash gross profit per ton was $10.93 against $10.63. Trailing-twelve-month cash gross profit per ton was $11.38 against $10.99. Source
  • CEO transition charges recorded: Adjusted EBITDA excludes $8.6 million of CEO transition and reorganization charges tied to Ronnie Pruitt's appointment as CEO effective January 1, 2026, plus $2.0 million of charges associated with divested operations. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Shareholder returns of $217 million: The company returned $217 million to shareholders, including $149 million of common stock repurchases and $68 million of dividends. Source
  • Leverage below target range: Total debt to trailing-twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA was 1.9 times, below the company's target range of 2.0 to 2.5 times. Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA was also 1.9 times. Source
  • Capital spending and return on capital: Capital expenditures for maintenance and growth were $90 million in the quarter. Trailing-twelve-month return on average invested capital was 16.0 percent. Source
  • Operating cash flow and cash balance: Net cash provided by operating activities was $241.1 million against $251.5 million. Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end were $140.2 million. Source

Strategy and balance sheet

  • Aggregates-led strategy continues: Management said the combination of an aggregates-led business and consistent focus on strategic disciplines drove earnings growth and margin expansion, enhanced by innovation and technology. Source
  • Assets held for sale on balance sheet: Assets held for sale were $698.2 million at March 31, 2026, against $708.5 million at December 31, 2025, with liabilities held for sale of $27.5 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 April 2026

  • California ready-mixed concrete sale closing: The disposition of the California ready-mixed concrete business is expected to close in the second quarter, subject to final regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said it continues to monitor potential impacts from geopolitical uncertainty. Source
  • Operational: Unit cash cost of sales rose four percent, or $0.47 per ton, and the company recorded CEO transition and reorganization charges of $8.6 million in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The February release expected this disposition to close in the second quarter of 2026; the April release repeats that expectation. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.