USLM vs. VMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at USLM and VMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | USLM | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. | Vulcan Materials Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Construction Materials | Construction Materials |
| Market Capitalization | 3.42 billion USD | 38.36 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of USLM and VMC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | USLM | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.81% | -0.87% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.21% | 6.85% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 15.58% | 9.56% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 54.89% | 17.07% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 19.98% | 5.69% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.99% | 12.86% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.12M | 0.85M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.14M | 0.98M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 41.54% | 19.90% |
| Beta | 1.04 | 0.93 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
USLM
24.24%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 24.78%
- Q3
- 14.96%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 4.14%
- Min
- -2.94%
In the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry, USLM’s Return on Equity of 24.24% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
VMC
11.70%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 24.78%
- Q3
- 14.96%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 4.14%
- Min
- -2.94%
VMC’s Return on Equity of 11.70% is on par with the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
USLM
35.57%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 28.01%
- Q3
- 15.18%
- Median
- 9.09%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -4.30%
USLM’s Net Profit Margin of 35.57% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction Materials industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
VMC
12.52%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 28.01%
- Q3
- 15.18%
- Median
- 9.09%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -4.30%
VMC’s Net Profit Margin of 12.52% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction Materials industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
USLM
41.11%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 31.67%
- Q3
- 18.49%
- Median
- 11.57%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -1.44%
USLM’s Operating Profit Margin of 41.11% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction Materials industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
VMC
18.90%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 31.67%
- Q3
- 18.49%
- Median
- 11.57%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -1.44%
An Operating Profit Margin of 18.90% places VMC in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | USLM | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.24% | 11.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 22.20% | 5.84% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.57% | 12.52% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.11% | 18.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 47.29% | 27.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
USLM
21.75
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.14
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.92
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.79
USLM’s Current Ratio of 21.75 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Construction Materials industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
VMC
1.67
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.14
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.92
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.79
VMC’s Current Ratio of 1.67 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
USLM
0.00
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 0.99
- Q3
- 0.72
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry, USLM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
VMC
0.59
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 0.99
- Q3
- 0.72
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
VMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 is typical for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
USLM
223.69
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 54.89
- Q3
- 34.04
- Median
- 7.92
- Q1
- 4.28
- Min
- -6.24
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 223.69, USLM demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction Materials industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
VMC
7.88
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 54.89
- Q3
- 34.04
- Median
- 7.92
- Q1
- 4.28
- Min
- -6.24
VMC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.88 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | USLM | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 21.75 | 1.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 20.18 | 1.13 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.00 | 0.59 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 223.69 | 7.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
USLM
0.19%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.91%
- Q3
- 4.64%
- Median
- 2.57%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
USLM’s Dividend Yield of 0.19% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
VMC
0.66%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.91%
- Q3
- 4.64%
- Median
- 2.57%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Yield of 0.66% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
USLM
5.03%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 174.17%
- Q3
- 91.80%
- Median
- 44.42%
- Q1
- 23.07%
- Min
- 0.00%
USLM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 5.03% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
VMC
26.53%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 174.17%
- Q3
- 91.80%
- Median
- 44.42%
- Q1
- 23.07%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.53% is within the typical range for the Construction Materials industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | USLM | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.19% | 0.66% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 5.03% | 26.53% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
USLM
26.11
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 49.05
- Q3
- 24.51
- Median
- 12.09
- Q1
- 7.70
- Min
- 4.06
A P/E Ratio of 26.11 places USLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
VMC
40.46
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 49.05
- Q3
- 24.51
- Median
- 12.09
- Q1
- 7.70
- Min
- 4.06
A P/E Ratio of 40.46 places VMC in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
USLM
9.29
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.31
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 9.29, USLM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Construction Materials industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
VMC
5.07
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.31
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 5.07, VMC trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Construction Materials industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
USLM
5.07
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 3.19
- Q3
- 1.80
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.11
At 5.07, USLM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Construction Materials industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
VMC
4.10
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 3.19
- Q3
- 1.80
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.11
At 4.10, VMC’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Construction Materials industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | USLM | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.11 | 40.46 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.29 | 5.07 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.07 | 4.10 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.63 | 35.04 |