Vulcan Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC), the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates, today announced results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.

Higher segment earnings in Aggregates and Asphalt helped drive 15 percent year-over-year growth in the Company's fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations. Solid shipment growth, up 4 percent, and compounding price improvements, up 5.5 percent, led to improved earnings in aggregates. Asphalt earnings benefited from double-digit revenue growth and improving unit margins.

Full year revenues were $4.9 billion, up 12 percent as compared to the prior year, and net earnings were $618 million, an increase of 20 percent. Adjusted EBITDA increased 12 percent to $1.27 billion. At year end, total debt was $2.8 billion, or 2.2 times trailing-twelve month Adjusted EBITDA.

Tom Hill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "2019 marks another year of strong earnings growth and cash generation. We are particularly proud of our people who worked hard to achieve these results while ensuring another year of world-class safety performance. Widespread improvements in pricing helped drive 8 percent growth in our industry-leading unit profitability and double-digit growth in Adjusted EBITDA, a strong result despite some higher than expected costs in the fourth quarter. Industry leadership in safety and pace-setting unit margins are both evidence of our strong and healthy business. Going forward, our compounding unit margins and our disciplined capital allocation position us to increase our cash flows and improve our return on invested capital again in 2020.

"Looking ahead, demand in our markets will continue to benefit from higher levels of highway funding and continued growth in residential and nonresidential markets. This visibility into demand growth has already set the stage for solid price improvement in 2020. Price improvement coupled with our four strategic initiatives (Commercial and Operational Excellence, Logistics Innovation and Strategic Sourcing) should continue to increase unit profitability. For the full year, we expect earnings from continuing operations between $5.20 and $5.80 per diluted share with Adjusted EBITDA between $1.385 and $1.485 billion."

Highlights as of December 31, 2019 include:


                                                                                  Fourth Quarter                   Full Year



       Amounts in millions, except per unit data                          2019     2018             2019     2018

    ---


       Total revenues                                                 $1,186.2 $1,088.0         $4,929.1 $4,382.9



       Gross profit                                                     $293.1   $275.3         $1,255.9 $1,100.9



       Aggregates segment



       Segment sales                                                    $960.2   $874.0         $3,990.3 $3,513.6



       Freight-adjusted revenue                                         $720.6   $657.6         $3,014.2 $2,667.3



       Gross profit                                                     $274.5   $256.4         $1,146.6   $991.9



       Shipments (tons)                                                   51.6     49.7            215.5    201.4



       Freight-adjusted sales price per ton                             $13.96   $13.23           $13.99   $13.25



       Gross profit per ton                                              $5.32    $5.16            $5.32    $4.93



       Asphalt, Concrete & Calcium segment gross profit                  $18.6    $18.9           $109.3   $109.1



       Selling, Administrative and General (SAG)                         $95.8    $84.4           $370.5   $333.4



       SAG as % of Total revenues                                         8.1%    7.8%            7.5%    7.6%



       Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes          $166.0   $153.9           $757.7   $623.3



       Net earnings                                                     $141.1   $124.0           $617.7   $515.8



       Adjusted EBIT                                                    $202.8   $195.8           $895.4   $785.5



       Adjusted EBITDA                                                  $298.5   $285.6         $1,270.0 $1,131.7



       Earnings from continuing operations per diluted share             $1.07    $0.93            $4.67    $3.87



       Adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share    $1.08    $0.99            $4.70    $4.05

Segment Results

Aggregates
Fourth quarter segment sales increased 10 percent, and gross profit increased 7 percent to $275 million, or $5.32 per ton. These improvements resulted from growth in shipments and improved pricing.

Fourth quarter aggregates shipments increased 4 percent as compared to the prior year quarter. Markets in the Southeast and Southwest reported strong shipment growth, including double-digit growth in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. All of the Company's key markets reported year-over-year price growth. For the quarter, freight-adjusted average sales price increased 5.5 percent (4.8 percent on mix-adjusted basis) versus the prior year's quarter. The 70 basis points benefit from mix was due in part to above average growth in the Company's remote-served markets. Positive trends in booking pace, along with demand visibility and customer confidence, support our expectations for continued price improvement.

Fourth quarter profitability was negatively impacted by higher repairs and maintenance costs, geographic volume mix including higher sales volumes in rail-served remote markets, as well as lower tipping fees for clean fill.

For the full year, segment sales increased 14 percent, driven by 7 percent (6 percent same-store) volume growth and 5.6 percent price growth (5.2 percent on mix-adjusted basis). Gross profit increased 16 percent, and unit profitability grew by 8 percent to $5.32 per ton. The Company remains focused on compounding its industry-leading unit margins. Cash gross profit for the year was $6.74 per ton.

Asphalt, Concrete and Calcium
Asphalt segment gross profit was $11 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of $4 million from the prior year. Asphalt mix shipments increased 10 percent and selling prices increased 3 percent in the fourth quarter. California, the Company's largest asphalt market, reported volume growth in the fourth quarter after a soft first half of the year due in part to weather. The average unit cost for liquid asphalt was 12 percent lower than the prior year quarter. Gross profit per ton in the quarter improved by 52 percent to $3.64.

Concrete segment gross profit was $7 million, $5 million lower than the prior year. Shipments increased 1 percent, and average selling prices increased 2 percent when compared to the prior year's fourth quarter. Project delays, along with higher repair and maintenance costs, contributed to the year-over-year decline in gross profit.

Calcium segment gross profit was $0.8 million, up from the prior year quarter.

For the full year, Asphalt segment gross profit increased 12 percent to $63 million. Gross profit improved year-over-year in each of the last 3 quarters, despite a 6 percent increase in the unit cost of liquid asphalt for the year. Concrete gross profit was $43 million for the full year, down from $50 million in 2018. Backlogs remain good. The majority of the year-over-year change occurred in the fourth quarter as a result of project delays.

Capital Allocation and Financial Position

In 2019, the Company realized strong cash generation, and return on invested capital improved 130 basis points to 13.9 percent on an Adjusted EBITDA basis.

Full year core operating and maintenance capital investment totaled $239 million, and internal growth projects investment was $165 million. The Company's full-year expectations for 2020 include $275 million for core operating and maintenance capital and $200 million for internal growth projects that are largely underway. During the year, the Company returned $167 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

At year-end, total debt was $2.8 billion, or 2.2 times trailing-twelve month Adjusted EBITDA, down from 2.6 times at the end of the prior year. The Company's weighted-average debt maturity was 14 years, and the weighted-average interest rate was 4.4 percent.

Selling, Administrative and General (SAG)

SAG expense was $96 million in the quarter compared to $84 million in the prior year. The year-over-year increase was due mainly to compensation-related expense as well as higher professional fees. For the full year, SAG expense was $371 million, or 7.5 percent of total revenues, 10 basis points lower than the prior year. The Company remains focused on further leveraging its overhead structure.

Outlook

Regarding the Company's outlook, Mr. Hill stated, "In 2020, we expect another year of strong earnings growth. Vulcan-served markets should continue to benefit from public construction demand, led by higher levels of highway funding in our key states. We anticipate residential construction in our markets to continue strengthening after experiencing some softness in certain markets during the second half of 2019. Private nonresidential construction activity should also improve as leading indicators point to positive growth in 2020. Demand fundamentals, including population and employment growth, continue to support longer-term growth in residential and nonresidential construction. We are seeing a positive pricing environment driven by shipment momentum in private demand and visibility of public demand. Our focus remains the same - compounding our unit margins through all parts of the cycle and improving our returns on capital."

Management expectations for 2020 include:

    --  Aggregates shipments growth of 2 to 4 percent
    --  Aggregates freight-adjusted price increase of 4 to 6 percent
    --  10 to 15 percent growth in Asphalt, Concrete and Calcium gross profit,
        collectively
    --  SAG expenses of approximately $365 million
    --  Interest expense of approximately $125 million
    --  Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense of
        approximately $385 million
    --  An effective tax rate of approximately 20 percent
    --  Earnings from continuing operations of $5.20 to $5.80 per diluted share
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $1.385 to $1.485 billion

Conference Call

Vulcan will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CT on February 18, 2020. A webcast will be available via the Company's website at www.vulcanmaterials.com. Investors and other interested parties may access the teleconference live by calling 800-347-6311, or 323-794-2094 if outside the U.S., approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. The conference ID is 6815558. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay at the Company's website approximately two hours after the call.

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 Index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates - primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel - and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER

This document contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical fact, including statements about Vulcan's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Generally, these statements relate to future financial performance, results of operations, business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings (including EBITDA and other measures), dividend policy, shipment volumes, pricing, levels of capital expenditures, intended cost reductions and cost savings, anticipated profit improvements and/or planned divestitures and asset sales. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "should," "would," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "will," "can," "may" or similar expressions elsewhere in this document. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including but not limited to general business conditions, competitive factors, pricing, energy costs, and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports Vulcan periodically files with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results, developments, and business decisions may vary significantly from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The following risks related to Vulcan's business, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: general economic and business conditions; Vulcan's dependence on the construction industry, which is subject to economic cycles; the timing and amount of federal, state and local funding for infrastructure; changes in the level of spending for private residential and private nonresidential construction; changes in Vulcan's effective tax rate; the increasing reliance on information technology infrastructure, including the risks that the infrastructure does not work as intended, experiences technical difficulties or is subjected to cyber-attacks; the impact of the state of the global economy on Vulcan's businesses and financial condition and access to capital markets; the highly competitive nature of the construction industry; the impact of future regulatory or legislative actions, including those relating to climate change, wetlands, greenhouse gas emissions, the definition of minerals, tax policy or international trade; the outcome of pending legal proceedings; pricing of Vulcan's products; weather and other natural phenomena, including the impact of climate change and the availability of water; energy costs; costs of hydrocarbon-based raw materials; healthcare costs; the amount of long-term debt and interest expense incurred by Vulcan; changes in interest rates; the impact of a discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR); volatility in pension plan asset values and liabilities, which may require cash contributions to the pension plans; the impact of environmental cleanup costs and other liabilities relating to existing and/or divested businesses; Vulcan's ability to secure and permit aggregates reserves in strategically located areas; Vulcan's ability to manage and successfully integrate acquisitions; the effect of changes in tax laws, guidance and interpretations; significant downturn in the construction industry may result in the impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets; changes in technologies, which could disrupt the way Vulcan does business and how Vulcan's products are distributed; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the reports filed by Vulcan with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Vulcan disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this document except as required by law.


                                                                                                                                              
         Table A



       
                Vulcan Materials Company



       
                and Subsidiary Companies








                                                                                                   (in thousands, except per share
                                                                                                                             data)





                                                            Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended



       
                Consolidated Statements of Earnings        December 31         December 31




       (Condensed and unaudited)                                      2019                 2018                                         2019          2018

    ---




       Total revenues                                           $1,186,152           $1,088,047                                   $4,929,103    $4,382,869



       Cost of revenues                                            893,071              812,763                                    3,673,202     3,281,924

    ---


        Gross profit                                               293,081              275,284                                    1,255,901     1,100,945



       Selling, administrative and general expenses                 95,801               84,382                                      370,548       333,371



       Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment



        and businesses                                              12,770                6,570                                       23,752        14,944



       Other operating expense, net                               (16,474)            (10,983)                                    (31,647)     (34,805)

    ---


        Operating earnings                                         193,576              186,489                                      877,458       747,713



       Other nonoperating income, net                                3,289                  292                                        9,243        13,000



       Interest expense, net                                        30,835               32,857                                      129,000       137,423

    ---


       Earnings from continuing operations



        before income taxes                                        166,030              153,924                                      757,701       623,290



       Income tax expense                                           23,434               29,645                                      135,198       105,449

    ---


       Earnings from continuing operations                         142,596              124,279                                      622,503       517,841



       Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax                 (1,504)               (256)                                     (4,841)      (2,036)

    ---


       Net earnings                                               $141,092             $124,023                                     $617,662      $515,805

    ---




       Basic earnings (loss) per share



        Continuing operations                                        $1.08                $0.94                                        $4.71         $3.91



        Discontinued operations                                    ($0.01)               $0.00                                      ($0.04)      ($0.01)



        Net earnings                                                 $1.07                $0.94                                        $4.67         $3.90





       Diluted earnings (loss) per share



        Continuing operations                                        $1.07                $0.93                                        $4.67         $3.87



        Discontinued operations                                    ($0.01)               $0.00                                      ($0.04)      ($0.02)



        Net earnings                                                 $1.06                $0.93                                        $4.63         $3.85







       Weighted-average common shares outstanding



        Basic                                                      132,467              132,060                                      132,300       132,393



        Assuming dilution                                          133,467              133,369                                      133,385       133,926



       Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization         $95,671              $89,783                                     $374,596      $346,246



       Effective tax rate from continuing operations                 14.1%               19.3%                                       17.8%        16.9%

    ---


                                                 
            Table B


                     Vulcan
                      Materials
                      Company


                     and
                      Subsidiary
                      Companies


                                               
       (in thousands)



                      Consolidated
                      Balance
                      Sheets       December 31      December 31


        (Condensed
         and
         unaudited)                       2019              2018

    ---

                     Assets


        Cash and
         cash
         equivalents                  $271,589           $40,037


        Restricted
         cash                            2,917             4,367


        Accounts
         and notes
         receivable


         Accounts
          and notes
          receivable,
          gross                        573,241           542,868


         Allowance
          for
          doubtful
          accounts                     (3,125)          (2,090)

    ---

        Accounts
         and notes
         receivable,
         net                           570,116           540,778


        Inventories


          Finished
           products                    391,666           372,604


          Raw
           materials                    31,318            27,942


          Products
           in
           process                       5,604             3,064


          Operating
           supplies
           and other                    29,720            25,720

    ---

         Inventories                   458,308           429,330


        Other
         current
         assets                         76,396            64,633


        Total
         current
         assets                      1,379,326         1,079,145


         Investments
         and long-
         term
         receivables                    60,709            44,615


        Property,
         plant &
         equipment


         Property,
          plant &
          equipment,
          cost                       8,749,217         8,457,619


         Allowances
          for
          depreciation,
          depletion
          &
          amortization             (4,433,179)      (4,220,312)

    ---

        Property,
         plant &
         equipment,
         net                         4,316,038         4,237,307


        Operating
         lease
         right-
         of-use
         assets,
         net                           408,189                 0


        Goodwill                     3,167,061         3,165,396


        Other
         intangible
         assets,
         net                         1,091,475         1,095,378


        Other
         noncurrent
         assets                        225,995           210,289


        Total
         assets                    $10,648,793        $9,832,130

    ---

                     Liabilities


        Current
         maturities
         of long-
         term debt                          25                23


        Short-
         term debt                           0           133,000


        Trade
         payables
         and
         accruals                      265,159           216,473


        Other
         current
         liabilities                   270,379           253,054


        Total
         current
         liabilities                   535,563           602,550


        Long-term
         debt                        2,784,315         2,779,357


        Deferred
         income
         taxes,
         net                           633,039           567,283


        Deferred
         revenue                       179,880           186,397


        Operating
         lease
         liabilities                   388,042                 0


        Other
         noncurrent
         liabilities                   506,097           493,640


        Total
         liabilities                $5,026,936        $4,629,227

    ---

                     Equity


        Common
         stock, $1
         par value                     132,371           131,762


        Capital in
         excess of
         par value                   2,791,353         2,798,486


        Retained
         earnings                    2,895,871         2,444,870


         Accumulated
         other
         comprehensive
         loss                        (197,738)        (172,215)


        Total
         equity                     $5,621,857        $5,202,903


        Total
         liabilities
         and
         equity                    $10,648,793        $9,832,130

    ---


                                                                                                                 
            Table C



       
                Vulcan Materials Company



       
                and Subsidiary Companies


                                                                                                               
       (in thousands)





                                                                                           Twelve Months Ended



       
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                      December 31




       (Condensed and unaudited)                                                                      2019                2018

    ---


       
                Operating Activities



       Net earnings                                                                                $617,662            $515,805



       Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities



        Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                        374,596             346,246



        Noncash operating lease expense                                                             35,344                   0



        Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses                            (23,752)           (14,944)



        Contributions to pension plans                                                             (8,882)          (109,631)



        Share-based compensation expense                                                            31,843              25,215



        Deferred tax expense (benefit)                                                              76,011              64,639



        Cost of debt purchase                                                                            0               6,922



        Changes in assets and liabilities before initial



       effects of business acquisitions and dispositions                                         (147,218)            (6,974)



       Other, net                                                                                      28,518               5,499



       Net cash provided by operating activities                                                  $984,122            $832,777

    ---


       
                Investing Activities



       Purchases of property, plant & equipment                                                  (384,094)          (469,088)



       Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment                                            22,661              22,210



       Proceeds from sale of businesses                                                              1,744              11,256



       Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash                                      (44,151)          (221,419)



       Other, net                                                                                    (11,997)           (12,850)



       Net cash used for investing activities                                                   ($415,837)         ($669,891)

    ---


       
                Financing Activities



       Proceeds from short-term debt                                                               366,900             739,900



       Payment of short-term debt                                                                (499,900)          (606,900)



       Payment of current maturities and long-term debt                                               (23)          (892,055)



       Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                          0             850,000



       Debt issuance and exchange costs                                                                  0            (45,513)



       Settlements of interest rate derivatives                                                          0               3,378



       Purchases of common stock                                                                   (2,602)          (133,983)



       Dividends paid                                                                             (163,973)          (148,109)



       Share-based compensation, shares withheld for taxes                                        (38,585)           (31,846)



       Net cash used for financing activities                                                   ($338,183)         ($265,128)

    ---


       Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash                    230,102           (102,242)



       Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year                           44,404             146,646



       Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year                               $274,506             $44,404

    ---


                                                                                                                                                                                                        
           Table D



       
                Segment Financial Data and Unit Shipments


                                                                                                                                                                       (in thousands, except per unit
                                                                                                                                                                                                data)



                                                                                                                               Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                      December 31         December 31



                                                                                                                                             2019                 2018                             2019               2018




       
                Total Revenues



       Aggregates (1)                                                                                                               $960,164             $873,996                       $3,990,275         $3,513,649



       Asphalt (2)                                                                                                                   206,331              185,819                          855,821            733,182



       Concrete                                                                                                                       95,258               92,595                          395,627            401,999



       Calcium                                                                                                                         2,118                1,974                            8,191              8,110

    ---


       Segment sales                                                                                                              $1,263,871           $1,154,384                       $5,249,914         $4,656,940



       Aggregates intersegment sales                                                                                                (77,719)            (66,337)                       (320,811)         (274,071)



       Total revenues                                                                                                             $1,186,152           $1,088,047                       $4,929,103         $4,382,869

    ---


       
                Gross Profit



       Aggregates                                                                                                                   $274,516             $256,374                       $1,146,649           $991,858



       Asphalt                                                                                                                         11,073                6,627                           63,023             56,480



       Concrete                                                                                                                        6,664               11,795                           43,151             49,893



       Calcium                                                                                                                               828                  488                            3,078              2,714

    ---


       Total                                                                                                                          $293,081             $275,284                       $1,255,901         $1,100,945

    ---


       
                Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization



       Aggregates                                                                                                                    $77,787              $73,221                         $305,046           $281,641



       Asphalt                                                                                                                          8,856                8,562                           35,199             31,290



       Concrete                                                                                                                        3,958                3,035                           13,620             12,539



       Calcium                                                                                                                            55                   65                              232                272



       Other                                                                                                                             5,015                4,900                           20,499             20,504



       Total                                                                                                                           $95,671              $89,783                         $374,596           $346,246

    ---


       
                Average Unit Sales Price and Unit Shipments



       
                Aggregates



       Freight-adjusted revenues (3)                                                                                                $720,584             $657,580                       $3,014,157         $2,667,291



       Aggregates - tons                                                                                                              51,620               49,716                          215,465            201,375



       Freight-adjusted sales price 4                                                                                                 $13.96               $13.23                           $13.99             $13.25





       
                Other Products



       Asphalt Mix - tons                                                                                                              3,041                2,769                           12,665             11,318



       Asphalt Mix - sales price                                                                                                      $57.87               $56.03                           $57.79             $55.13





       Ready-mixed concrete - cubic yards                                                                                                744                  737                            3,104              3,223



       Ready-mixed concrete - sales price                                                                                            $126.97              $124.34                          $126.38            $123.35





       Calcium - tons                                                                                                                     78                   69                              294                285



       Calcium - sales price                                                                                                          $27.30               $28.48                           $27.85             $28.44

    ---




       
                (1)Includes product sales (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates), as well as freight & delivery





            costs that we pass along to our customers, and service revenues related to aggregates.



       
                (2)Includes product sales, as well as service revenues from our asphalt construction paving business.



       
                (3)Freight-adjusted revenues are Aggregates segment sales excluding freight & delivery revenues and immaterial





            other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees that are derived from our aggregates business.



       
                4Freight-adjusted sales price is calculated as freight-adjusted revenues divided by aggregates unit shipments.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
      Appendix 1



       
                1.   Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures




        Aggregates segment freight-adjusted revenues is not a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. We believe that this presentation is consistent with our competitors and meaningful to our investors as it excludes revenues associated with freight & delivery,
         which are pass-through activities. It also excludes immaterial other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees, that are derived from our aggregates business. Additionally, we use this metric as the basis for calculating the average sales price of our aggregates products. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

















       
                Aggregates Segment Freight-Adjusted Revenues




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           (in thousands, except per ton data)



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Three Months Ended                                                          Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     December 31                                                                  December 31



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2019                                                                          2018                                                              2019             2018




       
                Aggregates segment



       Segment sales                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   $960,164                                                                      $873,996                                                        $3,990,275       $3,513,649



       Less:      
              Freight & delivery revenues (1)                                                                                                                                                                                            225,139                                                                       203,518                                                           921,064          796,929



                     Other revenues                                                                                                                                                                                                                      14,441                                                                        12,898                                                            55,054           49,429

    ---


       Freight-adjusted revenues                                                                                                                                                                                                                       $720,584                                                                      $657,580                                                        $3,014,157       $2,667,291

    ---


       Unit shipment - tons                                                                                                                                                                                                                              51,620                                                                        49,716                                                           215,465          201,375



       Freight-adjusted sales price                                                                                                                                                                                                                      $13.96                                                                        $13.23                                                            $13.99           $13.25

    ---




       
                (1)At the segment level, freight & delivery revenues include intersegment freight & delivery (which are eliminated at the consolidated level) and freight to remote



         distribution sites.




        Aggregates segment incremental gross profit flow-through rate is not a GAAP measure and represents the year-over-year change in gross profit divided by the year-over-year change in segment sales excluding freight & delivery (revenues and costs). We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. We believe that this
         presentation is consistent with our competitors and meaningful to our investors as it excludes revenues associated with freight & delivery, which are pass-through activities. Reconciliations of these metrics to their nearest GAAP measures are presented below:















       
                Aggregates Segment Incremental Gross Profit Margin in Accordance with GAAP


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
              (dollars in thousands)



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Three Months Ended                                                          Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     December 31                                                                  December 31



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2019                                                                          2018                                                              2019             2018




       
                
                  Aggregates segment



       Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    $274,516                                                                      $256,374                                                        $1,146,649         $991,858



       Segment sales                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   $960,164                                                                      $873,996                                                        $3,990,275       $3,513,649



       Gross profit margin                                                                                                                                                                                                                                28.6%                                                                        29.3%                                                            28.7%           28.2%

    ---


       Incremental gross profit margin                                                                                                                                                                                                                    21.1%                                                                                                                                         32.5%

    ---




       
                Aggregates Segment Incremental Gross Profit Flow-through Rate (Non-GAAP)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
              (dollars in thousands)





                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Three Months Ended                                                          Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         December 31                                                                  December 31



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2019                                                                          2018                                                              2019             2018




       
                Aggregates segment



       Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    $274,516                                                                      $256,374                                                        $1,146,649         $991,858

    ---


       Segment sales                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   $960,164                                                                      $873,996                                                        $3,990,275       $3,513,649



       Less:      
              Freight & delivery revenues (1)                                                                                                                                                                                            225,139                                                                       203,518                                                           921,064          796,929



           Segment sales excluding freight & delivery                                                                                                                                                                                                  $735,025                                                                      $670,478                                                        $3,069,211       $2,716,720

    ---


       Gross profit flow-through rate                                                                                                                                                                                                                     37.3%                                                                        38.2%                                                            37.4%           36.5%

    ---


       Incremental gross profit flow-through rate                                                                                                                                                                                                         28.1%                                                                                                                                         43.9%

    ---




       
                (1)At the segment level, freight & delivery revenues include intersegment freight & delivery (which are eliminated at the consolidated level) and freight to remote



         distribution sites.




        GAAP does not define "Aggregates segment cash gross profit" and it should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP. We and the investment community use this metric to assess the operating performance of our business. Additionally, we present this metric as we believe that it closely correlates to long-term shareholder value. We do not
         use this metric as a measure to allocate resources.  Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton is computed by dividing Aggregates segment cash gross profit by tons shipped. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:















       
                Aggregates Segment Cash Gross Profit


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           (in thousands, except per ton data)



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Three Months Ended                                                          Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     December 31                                                                  December 31



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2019                                                                          2018                                                              2019             2018




       
                Aggregates segment



       Gross profit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    $274,516                                                                      $256,374                                                        $1,146,649         $991,858



       Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                                                                                                                                                                               77,787                                                                        73,221                                                           305,046          281,641



           Aggregates segment cash gross profit                                                                                                                                                                                                        $352,303                                                                      $329,595                                                        $1,451,695       $1,273,499

    ---


       Unit shipments - tons                                                                                                                                                                                                                             51,620                                                                        49,716                                                           215,465          201,375

    ---


       Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton                                                                                                                                                                                                       $6.82                                                                         $6.63                                                             $6.74            $6.32

    ---


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
            Appendix 2



       
                Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)




        GAAP does not define "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization" (EBITDA) and it should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP. We use this metric to assess the operating performance of our business and as a
         basis for strategic planning and forecasting as we believe that it closely correlates to long-term shareholder value. We do not use this metric as a measure to allocate resources. We adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of
         earnings performance from period to period. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

















       
                EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
     (in thousands)



                                                                                                                                                                        Three Months Ended                                                      Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                                               December 31                                                              December 31



                                                                                                                                                                                      2019                                                                      2018                             2019                       2018




       Net earnings                                                                                                                                                              $141,092                                                                  $124,023                         $617,662                   $515,805



       Income tax expense                                                                                                                                                          23,434                                                                    29,645                          135,198                    105,449



       Interest expense, net                                                                                                                                                       30,835                                                                    32,857                          129,000                    137,423



       Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                                                                  1,504                                                                       256                            4,841                      2,036



       EBIT                                                                                                                                                                        $196,865                                                                  $186,781                         $886,701                   $760,713



       Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                                                                                                         95,671                                                                    89,783                          374,596                    346,246



       EBITDA                                                                                                                                                                     $292,536                                                                  $276,564                       $1,261,297                 $1,106,959

    ---

                                                                                                                                                                                   (9,289)                                                                        0                         (13,353)                   (2,929)


           Gain on sale of businesses


                                                                                                                                                                                    10,847                                                                         0                           10,847                          0


           Property donation


                                                                                                                                                                                         0                                                                         0                                0                    (2,253)


           Business interruption claims recovery


                                                                                                                                                                                     3,033                                                                     8,497                            3,033                     18,545


           Charges associated with divested operations


                                                                                                                                                                                     1,345                                                                         0                            1,748                      5,202


           Business development (1)


                                                                                                                                                                                         0                                                                       513                            6,457                      6,219


           Restructuring charges (2)



       Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                                           $298,472                                                                  $285,574                       $1,270,029                 $1,131,743

    ---

                                                                                                                                                                                  (95,671)                                                                 (89,783)                       (374,596)                 (346,246)


           Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization



       Adjusted EBIT                                                                                                                                                             $202,801                                                                  $195,791                         $895,433                   $785,497

    ---


       
                (1)Represents non-routine charges associated with acquisitions including the cost impact of purchase accounting inventory valuations.



       
                (2)Restructuring charges are included within other operating expenses. The 2019 charges relate to a managerial restructuring.





       Similar to our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, we present Adjusted Diluted EPS from continuing operations to provide a more consistent comparison of earnings performance from period to period.







       
                Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations (Adjusted Diluted EPS)






                                                                                                                                                                            Three Months Ended                                                      Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            December 31                                               December 31



                                                                                                                                                                                          2019                                                                      2018                             2019                       2018




       Diluted EPS from continuing operations                                                                                                                                       $1.07                                                                     $0.93                            $4.67                      $3.87


                                                                                                                                                                                      0.01                                                                      0.06                             0.03                       0.14


           
              Items included in Adjusted EBITDA above


                                                                                                                                                                                      0.00                                                                      0.00                             0.00                       0.04


           Debt refinancing costs



       Adjusted Diluted EPS                                                                                                                                                         $1.08                                                                     $0.99                            $4.70                      $4.05

    ---



        The following reconciliation to the mid-point of the range of 2020 Projected EBITDA excludes adjustments (as noted in Adjusted EBITDA above) as they are difficult to forecast (timing or amount). Due to the difficulty in forecasting such adjustments, we are unable to
         estimate their significance. This metric is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP.  Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:













       
                2020 Projected EBITDA


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
         (in millions)



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
           Mid-point




       Net earnings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     $735



       Income tax expense                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                190



       Interest expense, net                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             125



       Discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 0



       Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               385



       Projected EBITDA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               $1,435

    ---


                                                                                                                                                                                            
             Appendix 3



       
                Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)




        We define Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing-twelve months divided by average invested capital (as illustrated below) during the trailing 5-
         quarters. Our calculation of ROIC is considered a non-GAAP financial measure because we calculate ROIC using the non-GAAP metric EBITDA. We believe that our ROIC metric is
         meaningful because it helps investors assess how effectively we are deploying our assets. Although ROIC is a standard financial metric, numerous methods exist for calculating a
         company's ROIC. As a result, the method we use to calculate our ROIC may differ from the methods used by other companies.

















       
                Return on Invested Capital


                                                                                                                                                                                          
       (in thousands)



                                                                                                                                                                    2019                                 2018




       Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                       $1,270,029                           $1,131,743





       Property, plant & equipment                                                                                                                            4,281,342                            4,095,448



       Goodwill                                                                                                                                                3,165,685                            3,150,290



       Other intangible assets                                                                                                                                1,084,113                            1,095,218



       Fixed and Intangible Assets                                                                                                                           $8,531,140                           $8,340,956

    ---




       Current Assets                                                                                                                                         1,224,316                            1,125,912



       Less: Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                           93,528                               68,349



       Less: Deferred tax                                                                                                                                        12,633                                    0



       Adjusted Current Assets                                                                                                                                1,118,155                            1,057,563





       Current Liabilities                                                                                                                                      599,319                              626,188



       Less: Current maturities of long-term debt                                                                                                                    24                                8,295



       Less: Short-term borrowings                                                                                                                               89,700                              178,600



       Adjusted Current Liabilities                                                                                                                             509,595                              439,293



       Adjusted Net Working Capital                                                                                                                            $608,560                             $618,270

    ---




       Average Invested Capital                                                                                                                              $9,139,700                           $8,959,226

    ---




       Return on Invested Capital                                                                                                                                 13.9%                               12.6%

    ---

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SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company