Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat: What is your take on Martin Marietta Materials as a buy? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Martin Marietta Materials Inc., $390.82, symbol MLM on New York (Shares outstanding: 62.4 million; Market cap: $22.7 billion; www.martinmarietta.com), is a leading supplier of building materials. Products include aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt. The company operates in 26 states, Canada and the Bahamas. Its Magnesia Specialties business produces high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products used worldwide in environmental, industrial, agricultural and specialty applications. The stock was spun off from Lockheed Martin (symbol LMT on New York) in 1996. Over the last five years, Martin Marietta’s revenue has increased steadily, rising 23.9%, from $3.82 billion in 2016 to $4.73 billion in 2020. Excluding one-time items, earnings improved 69.5%, from $425.4 million ($6.63 a share) to $721.0 million ($11.54 a share). In the quarter ended June 30, 2021, Martin Marietta’s revenue increased 8.4% to $1.38 billion from $1.27 billion a year earlier. Sales were higher in both its Building Materials and Magnesia Specialties businesses during the quarter. Excluding one-time items, the company earned…