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CRH vs MLM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CRH plc (CRH) vs. Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Tickeron AI Verdict: MLM (Martin Marietta Materials) currently edges out CRH (CRH plc) on trend consistency, pricing discipline, and guidance momentum, though both face similar construction-market headwinds.
- Both companies are building-materials leaders leveraged to U.S. infrastructure spending, but CRH is a diversified global operator while MLM is a more focused North American aggregates pure-play.
- CRH's recent earnings missed estimates and prompted lowered full-year guidance, while MLM's recent quarters delivered record aggregates shipments and raised revenue guidance.
- Cost inflation—particularly a sharp rise in diesel and haulage costs—and subdued residential activity are pressuring margins at both firms.
- For more context, explore CRH Major News and CRH Today's Price Move, as well as MLM Major News and MLM Today's Price Move.
- To see which strategies automated systems are running on these and other names, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
CRH plc and Martin Marietta Materials are two of the largest publicly traded building-materials companies in North America, making them natural candidates for a stock comparison among investors tracking infrastructure, construction, and materials markets. CRH operates a diversified portfolio spanning aggregates, cement, and building products across North America and Europe, while Martin Marietta is a U.S.-centric supplier of aggregates and heavy building materials. Both are sensitive to the same macro forces—public infrastructure funding, residential construction demand, and energy costs—yet they differ meaningfully in scope and recent execution. This comparison examines their relative performance, growth drivers, and market positioning to help traders and investors assess which name currently presents the stronger setup.
CRH Overview and Recent Performance
CRH is a leading global provider of building materials and the largest building-materials business in North America, with a significant heavyside materials presence in Europe. In recent weeks, the company completed its approximately $8.5 billion acquisition of Arcosa, a U.S. provider of aggregates and critical infrastructure products, reinforcing its position in aggregates and energy and data infrastructure markets. Management also announced a new $6 billion share buyback program running through 2030 and launched "Velocity," an operating-model initiative targeting roughly $400 million in annual run-rate benefits by the end of 2028.
Despite these strategic moves, recent performance has reflected margin pressure. Third-quarter revenue rose about 3% year over year, but net income declined and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was roughly flat as rising diesel, haulage, and raw-material costs offset pricing gains. The company trimmed its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance amid softer residential demand, and the shares have traded lower over the past year. Analysts' average price targets remain above the current price, but near-term sentiment has been tempered by cost inflation and the challenge of integrating a large acquisition pipeline.
MLM Overview and Recent Performance
MLM, Martin Marietta Materials, is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based natural-resource company that supplies aggregates such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel, along with cement, asphalt, and downstream products. Recent quarters have shown strong execution in its core aggregates business: second-quarter results beat estimates, with record aggregates shipments and revenue growth of roughly 21% year over year, and management raised full-year revenue guidance. The company has also deepened its portfolio through strategic transactions, including the completed Quikrete asset exchange and the combination with Lhoist North America, which established it as a leading producer of limestone products in North America.
Like CRH, Martin Marietta faces elevated energy costs and residential weakness, and its shares have declined year to date. However, pricing discipline—organic mix-adjusted pricing continued to advance even as reported averages were diluted by acquisitions—and steady infrastructure and heavy nonresidential demand have supported results. Wall Street consensus remains broadly positive, with a "Buy" rating and average price targets well above current levels, though the stock's premium valuation leaves less room for execution missteps.
Trending AI Robots
For investors who prefer a systematic approach, Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page offers a curated view of automated trading strategies. Tickeron hosts hundreds of AI trading bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance track record, and set of securities. Because not every bot suits every market regime, only the most relevant and best-performing strategies for current conditions are highlighted in the Trending AI Robots section. This filtering helps traders identify signal-driven approaches that align with today's market environment. If you would like to see how these systems are positioned across names like CRH and MLM, you can explore the Trending AI Robots page directly.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between the two is scope: CRH is a diversified, globally integrated operator with meaningful European exposure and an acquisitive, portfolio-reshaping strategy, whereas MLM is a more concentrated U.S. aggregates pure-play with a narrower but deep position in infrastructure and heavy nonresidential end markets. This gives CRH broader diversification but also more integration complexity, while MLM offers more direct leverage to North American infrastructure and data-center construction.
On recent momentum, MLM has shown comparatively stronger fundamental execution, with record shipments, an earnings beat, and upward revenue guidance. CRH, by contrast, posted a third-quarter miss and lowered its full-year outlook. Risk profiles also differ: both are exposed to diesel and haulage cost inflation and weak residential demand, but CRH carries the additional execution burden of integrating its Arcosa acquisition and a sizable M&A (merger and acquisition) pipeline, while MLM trades at a higher forward earnings multiple, reducing its margin for error. Market sentiment currently favors MLM's pricing discipline and demand visibility, though both remain sensitive to the trajectory of U.S. infrastructure funding and energy costs.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward MLM in the current environment. The case rests on stronger recent fundamental momentum—record aggregates volumes, positive pricing discipline, and raised revenue guidance—against a backdrop where CRH has missed estimates and trimmed its outlook. MLM's more focused exposure to resilient infrastructure and heavy nonresidential demand also supports relatively steadier trend consistency. That said, the verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive: MLM's premium valuation and shared exposure to cost inflation and residential softness mean the balance could shift if integration at CRH begins to deliver the margin expansion management is targeting. Investors and traders should weigh these relative positioning factors alongside their own objectives.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CRH is a Buy and MLM is a StrongBuy.
Momentum Indicator for CRH turns positive, indicating new upward trend
CRH saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 15, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 89 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 61 of the 89 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 69%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for CRH just turned positive on October 06, 2026. Looking at past instances where CRH's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 25 of 42 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
CRH moved above its 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for CRH crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on November 02, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
Following a +6.59% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CRH advanced for three days, in 211 of 333 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for CRH moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 44 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 23 of the 44 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 52%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 16 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CRH declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 52%.
CRH broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 04, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for CRH entered a downward trend on October 23, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 40 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 70, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 48 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. CRH’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 53 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 78 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 81 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.624) is normal, around the industry mean (2.567). P/E Ratio (16.663) is within average values for comparable stocks, (21.155). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.506) is also within normal values, averaging (0.876). Dividend Yield (0.016) settles around the average of (0.049) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.509) is also within normal values, averaging (2.242).
MLM in upward trend: 10-day moving average broke above 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026
The 10-day moving average for MLM crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 28, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 11 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 15, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on MLM as a result. In 59 of 92 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
MLM moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.34% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MLM advanced for three days, in 193 of 320 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for MLM moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 34 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 14 of the 34 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 41%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 39 of 63 cases where MLM's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 62%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MLM declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 64%.
MLM broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for MLM entered a downward trend on October 19, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 42 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 51 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 70, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 52 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. MLM’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 87 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.187) is normal, around the industry mean (2.567). P/E Ratio (12.700) is within average values for comparable stocks, (21.155). MLM's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.833) is slightly higher than the industry average of (0.876). Dividend Yield (0.006) settles around the average of (0.049) among similar stocks. MLM's P/S Ratio (4.486) is slightly higher than the industry average of (2.242).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 93 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
CRH | MLM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 40 | 37 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 81 Overvalued | 87 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 40 | 51 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 53 | 42 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 52 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 78 | 93 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CRH's Valuation (81) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (87). This means that CRH’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
CRH's Profit vs Risk Rating (40) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (51). This means that CRH’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
MLM's SMR Rating (42) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as CRH (53). This means that MLM’s stock grew similarly to CRH’s over the last 12 months.
CRH's Price Growth Rating (48) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (52). This means that CRH’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
CRH's P/E Growth Rating (78) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (93). This means that CRH’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
| CRH | MLM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 41% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 64% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 60% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 59% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 63% | 10 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 52% | 6 days ago 64% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 63% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CRH’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while MLM’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- CRH’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- MLM’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CRH’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MLM’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CRH’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- MLM’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CRH (@Construction Materials) experienced а +3.56% price change this week, while MLM (@Construction Materials) price change was -2.86% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Construction Materials industry was -2.62%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.10%, and the average quarterly price growth was -15.23%.
Reported Earning Dates
CRH is expected to report earnings on Mar 04, 2027.
MLM is expected to report earnings on Feb 17, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Construction Materials (-2.62% weekly)Many naturally occurring substances, such as clay, rocks, sand, and wood, even twigs and leaves have been used in construction material. Many man-made products are also in use. Vulcan Materials Co., Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and Owens Corning Inc. are examples of construction material companies in the U.S. Performance of companies that extract or produce construction materials could at times depend on demand for residential and commercial buildings/real estate, and therefore in some cases could feel impacted by economic cycles.
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CRH and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CRH has been loosely correlated with TTAM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 65% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CRH jumps, then TTAM could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CRH | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRH | 100% | -0.89% | ||
| TTAM - CRH | 65% Loosely correlated | +0.43% | ||
| BCC - CRH | 58% Loosely correlated | -2.96% | ||
| KNF - CRH | 45% Loosely correlated | -0.87% | ||
| JHX - CRH | 45% Loosely correlated | -2.97% | ||
| SMID - CRH | 26% Poorly correlated | -17.78% | ||
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MLM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MLM has been closely correlated with VMC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 89% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MLM jumps, then VMC could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MLM | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLM | 100% | -0.52% | ||
| VMC - MLM | 89% Closely correlated | -0.74% | ||
| CRH - MLM | 72% Closely correlated | -0.89% | ||
| EXP - MLM | 66% Closely correlated | -1.36% | ||
| AMRZ - MLM | 66% Closely correlated | -1.78% | ||
| TTAM - MLM | 66% Loosely correlated | +0.43% | ||
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