The Outlook for Interest Rates

As I have loudly predicted for many months now and wrote in this space again last month: There is no recession in the near term, and none in sight. While that is welcome news to all in our industry, whether it be the large multi-nationals with their all-important shareholder interests to consider, or the privately held independent producer who has…

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First Look – September 2023

TOP NEWS The Rock Products Road Show The Rock Products Road Show – an “Economics + Equipment” informational session – rolled into Thompsonville, Mich., on July 21 for the Michigan Aggregates Association’s summer meeting, held at the Crystal Mountain Resort. The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2023 was…

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A Recession Isn’t Going to Happen

I speak at various industry conferences, sometimes as often as 10 times a year, and I also write this regular monthly column along with one for our sister publication, as well as occasional other articles. This gives me a great pulpit to occasionally espouse our firm’s go-against-the grain view of the general economy, and our industry in particular, especially when…

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First Look – August 2023

TOP NEWS BMC EnterprisesBMC Enterprises Inc. (BMC), the largest producer of aggregates and concrete in the St. Louis region, has completed acquisitions of Raineri Building Materials, Eureka Materials and Blue Grass Ready Mix within the last three months. Vulcan MaterialsVulcan Materials Co. released its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report highlighting the company’s durable growth strategy, performance and progress on…

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The AVP Pulse Index for July

July 24, 2023 – The AVP Pulse Index this month rose 3.1% month-over-month, while increasing 7.1% year-over-year.  The proprietary AVP Pulse Index – a joint effort between mergers and acquisition advisors Allen-Villere Partners, and Rock Products – illustrates the health of the industry in one single trend line, using relevant data that is updated monthly or quarterly. “The previously flattened curve of…

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FIRST LOOK – July 2023

TOP NEWS GraniteGranite has received approval from the Utah Department of Air Quality (UDAQ) to begin the public comment period as part of Granite’s Parleys I-80 South Quarry small mine air permit application. During this rigorous application process, the application undergoes a comprehensive 30-day comment period, allowing the public to provide valuable input. U.S. Supreme Court The U.S. Supreme Court has…

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First Look – June 2023

TOP NEWS Vulcan MaterialsVulcan Materials Co. announced results for the quarter ended March 31, reporting total revenues of $1.649 billion, versus total revenues of $1.541 billion in the first quarter of 2022, about a 7% increase. Summit Materials Summit Materials Inc. announced results for the first quarter ended April 1, reporting net revenue of $407.3 million, versus $392.5 million in the…

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Housing Affordability is a Big Challenge

Last month, I wrote about how population growth is one of the biggest drivers of the entire housing market, including new and existing homes. Why? Because population growth helps drive housing formations. The majority of household formations occur when a group of young Millennials or Gen-Zers leave their parents’ basements and decide to room together, usually in connection with a…

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