We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Basic Materials Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.In this article, we are going to take a look at where Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) stands against the other basic material stocks.
Fitch Ratings sees a stable demand environment for North American building products and materials companies heading into 2025. This is expected to be aided by a rebound in residential remodel activity, a rise in US housing starts, and robust public construction spending amidst a slowdown in non-residential construction activity. The rating agency went on to say that building products companies garnering significant revenues from repair and remodel projects can outperform as declining interest rates fuel demand recovery.
What Lies Ahead for Steel and Commodity Chemicals?
Fitch Ratings expects a modest growth in steel output demand in North America and Europe in 2025. The rating agency anticipates that lower raw material costs in 2025 and companies' strategic investments focused on expanding higher-margin value-added production and additional new low-cost capacity to meet demand would offer some margin support. As a result of Trump's tariffs, Fastmarkets believes that the domestic steel industry might reap some benefits from the approach. The domestic steelmakers were in an advantageous position from the Section 232 actions which were first implemented in 2018, leading to higher steel prices and margins. As per Samir Kapadia, principal and chief operating officer at the Vogel Group (an international government affairs and consulting firm), steel prices are expected to go up, and it will be a good year for the US steel industry.
Commodity chemicals producers face higher operating leverage because a marginal volume decrease results in reduced capacity utilization, impacting profits. This happened in the past year as lower volumes and reduced capacity utilization adversely impacted the producers’ profit. However, since demand saw an improvement in H2, capacity utilization followed the lead. Morningstar projects that demand will continue to recover in 2025, resulting in increased volumes and better utilization rates. This is expected to support a recovery in profit for producers.
The energy transition revolves around a broader lithium market, fueled by strong demand for EVs. Morningstar sees that lithium demand has been increasing from higher global EV sales and the buildout of utility-scale batteries utilized in energy storage systems. Over the near term, the firm expects increased average prices in 2025 as supply cuts are expected to move the market closer to balance, pushing the prices higher, mainly in H2. Over the medium term, Morningstar anticipates prices to average $20,000 per metric ton.
Our Methodology
To list the 12 Best Basic Materials Stocks to Buy According to Analysts, we used a screener to filter out the stocks catering to the basic materials sector. Next, we chose the ones in which analysts saw upside potential. Finally, the stocks were arranged in ascending order of their average upside potential, as of February 7. We also mentioned hedge fund sentiments around each stock, as of Q3 2024.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A large construction project with cranes and forklifts in action, demonstrating the company's building materials business.
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) is a natural resource-based building materials company, engaged in supplying aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry. Wolfe Research upped the company’s stock from “Peer Perform” to “Outperform,” while providing a new price objective of $563.00. As per the research firm, amidst concerns regarding the potential impact of elevated interest rates on construction demand and inflation affecting spending, an improvement is expected in the construction activity in H2 and into 2026. This can strengthen sustained pricing power and margin expansion for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM).
A renewed focus on infrastructure development is expected to result in higher demand for aggregates and construction materials, aiding the company’s core business. Talking about deregulation, reduced regulatory burdens can reduce compliance costs and streamline project approvals. This can result in increased construction activity, fueling Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM)’s growth prospects.
Notably, Wolfe Research's outlook demonstrates that the US Fed’s rate cut strategy is expected to play a critical role in assessing the timing of the private sector's recovery. Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its Q2 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:
“In the second quarter, we acquired shares in Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM), a leading producer of aggregates (77% of gross profit) and specialty products. The company’s products are sold and utilized in infrastructure projects such as highways, as well as residential and non-residential construction. Martin Marietta has local leadership positions across its footprint.
Overall MLM ranks 12th on our list of the best basic material stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of MLM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than MLM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
