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MLM vs VMC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) vs. Vulcan Materials (VMC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both MLM and VMC operate in the construction aggregates sector, benefiting from infrastructure demand, with similar year-to-date returns around 2%.
- MLM shows stronger one-year performance at approximately 21.5%, outperforming VMC's 18.8%.
- VMC holds a larger market capitalization of $38 billion compared to MLM's $37 billion, indicating greater scale.
- Recent market activity reflects anticipation for Q1 2026 earnings, with both stocks stable amid sector-wide infrastructure optimism.
- P/E ratios (price-to-earnings) are comparable, with MLM at 37.3 and VMC at 35.7, suggesting similar valuations.
- Tickeron's AI tools highlight nuanced differences in growth potential and momentum for these peers.
Introduction
Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) and Vulcan Materials (VMC) are leading producers of construction aggregates, essential for infrastructure projects like highways and buildings. This comparison is relevant for investors eyeing the building materials sector, particularly amid ongoing U.S. infrastructure spending and potential demand recovery in 2026. Traders focused on relative performance, valuation metrics, and earnings momentum will find value in analyzing how these stocks stack up in recent market activity, sector tailwinds, and AI-driven insights. Both exhibit resilience despite broader industry headwinds, offering a study in scale versus growth dynamics.
MLM Overview and Recent Performance
Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) is a major supplier of aggregates such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel, primarily serving the construction and infrastructure markets across the U.S. In recent weeks, MLM stock has traded around $610, within a 52-week range of $490 to $711, reflecting stability amid anticipation for its Q1 2026 earnings on April 30. Year-to-date performance stands at about 2%, with stronger one-year gains near 21.5%, driven by solid revenue of $6.15 billion (TTM) and positive analyst growth scores. Sentiment has been influenced by infrastructure demand visibility and operational appointments, though recent pullbacks highlight sensitivity to construction cycles.
VMC Overview and Recent Performance
Vulcan Materials (VMC), the nation's largest aggregates producer, focuses on crushed stone, sand, gravel, and asphalt for public and private construction. Recently, shares have hovered near $291, in a 52-week range of $242 to $331, with year-to-date returns of roughly 2.3% and one-year gains of 18.8%. Trading volume has spiked ahead of Q1 2026 earnings on April 29, supported by $7.94 billion in TTM revenue and expectations for EPS growth. Performance reflects robust demand outlooks for 2026, tempered by premium valuations and monthly gains around 12% in recent market activity, amid sector optimism.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both MLM and VMC share a core business model centered on aggregates production, with exposure to infrastructure and non-residential construction driving growth. VMC edges in scale with higher TTM revenue and market cap, while MLM shows superior one-year momentum and growth scores. Risk factors include cyclical demand and weather sensitivity, but VMC's lower beta (1.10 vs. 1.19) suggests relative stability. Sector sentiment favors both amid 2026 infrastructure tailwinds, though MLM trades at a slight valuation premium. Trade-offs hinge on preferences for size versus recent relative outperformance.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors MLM over VMC, based on stronger trend consistency, higher one-year returns, and robust growth metrics in recent analyses. Factors like earnings anticipation and infrastructure catalysts position MLM with a probabilistic edge in momentum, though VMC's scale offers stability.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 MLM is a StrongBuy and VMC is a StrongBuy.
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 undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
MLM’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileVMC’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- MLM’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- VMC’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.
MLM’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while VMC’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MLM’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- VMC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
MLM (@Construction Materials) experienced а -0.81% price change this week, while VMC (@Construction Materials) price change was -1.01% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Construction Materials industry was -0.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.38%, and the average quarterly price growth was -6.84%.
Reported Earning Dates
MLM is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
VMC is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Construction Materials (-0.31% 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.
| MLM | VMC | MLM / VMC | |
| Capitalization | 34.4B | 36.2B | 95% |
| EBITDA | 2.09B | 2.38B | 88% |
| Gain YTD | -7.852 | -1.801 | 436% |
| P/E Ratio | 35.88 | 33.06 | 109% |
| Revenue | 6.35B | 8.06B | 79% |
| Total Cash | 273M | 140M | 195% |
| Total Debt | 5.69B | 5.09B | 112% |
MLM | VMC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 10 | 14 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 79 Overvalued | 73 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 40 | 36 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 60 | 58 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 64 | |
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.
VMC's Valuation (73) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (79). This means that VMC’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
VMC's Profit vs Risk Rating (36) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (40). This means that VMC’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
VMC's SMR Rating (100) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (100). This means that VMC’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
VMC's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as MLM (60). This means that VMC’s stock grew similarly to MLM’s over the last 12 months.
MLM's P/E Growth Rating (39) in the Construction Materials industry is in the same range as VMC (64). This means that MLM’s stock grew similarly to VMC’s over the last 12 months.
| MLM | VMC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 70% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 59% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 67% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 69% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 60% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 61% | 8 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 56% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 76% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 52% |
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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 88% 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.