One reason why investors should look into buying stock in concrete businesses is the rapid increase in housing prices. In fact, they are currently at record highs in major metropolitan areas. This is largely due to the rise in housing prices, which has forced corporations to buy homes for rental income, robbing the ordinary people of real estate ownership. A bull market for concrete stocks is expected to emerge as housing costs continue their upward trend.
There are several downsides to investing with concrete companies. These stocks can experience a rapid decline in value which can cause losses in the short-term. These stocks can have a number of downsides. They also face a variety of risks. A high level or debt can be a sign that the economy is weak and the company could find itself in trouble. Many investors believe they are getting a great deal. Others worry that it could be a mistake.
U.S. Concrete (USCR), with more than 10% of its market capital, is deeply indebted. This could spell trouble, especially if interest rates rise faster in the future. However, U.S. Concrete is making some headway in paying down their debt following the market’s huge jump in 2017, but this is not enough. Because of the high debt levels, U.S. Concrete’s cash generation capabilities will remain low for a very long time.
U.S. Concrete is one of the largest suppliers of aggregates in the country. It’s a leader in the construction industry, with operations in 26 states, Canada, and Bahamas. Its focus is on foundations, but the company is also a leading supplier of concrete. Because of President Biden’s infrastructure plan (which includes $115billion for roads/highways), the stock could benefit.
U.S. Concrete has over $600 million in debt, which is nearly 12% of its market cap. This situation can be troublesome if the Fed continues to raise interest rates faster than expected through 2023. Although the company has made some progress in paying down its debts since 2017, it has not been able to pay them down as fast as it should. The company’s profitability is also being affected by the high interest cost. Its profits still fall below the company’s cash generation ability.
The US construction market is highly fragmented. Many large companies compete for the same contracts. There are thousands of smaller companies that compete for the same contracts. It is important to understand how they do it. A small company can be undervalued by a huge company. Therefore, it’s essential to invest in a large US concrete stock. It is the largest European building-materials company. CRH shares can be worth considering as an investment option, with a market value of $37.8billion.