Below are the three companies in the Construction Materials industry with the highest operating margin. A healthy operating margin is required for a company to pay for its fixed costs and generate cash.
Eagle Materials (NYSE:EXP) is highest with an operating margin of 16.1%. Eagle Materials Inc. manufactures and distributes cement, gypsum wallboard, recycled paperboard, and concrete and aggregates. The Company's products are used in the construction of homes, commercial and industrial buildings, and governmental buildings across the United States. Eagle Materials has traded 62,000 shares thus far today, vs. average volume of 709,000 shares per day. The stock has matched the Dow (with a 0.2% move) and matched the S&P 500 (with a 0.2% move) during today's trading.
Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM) is next with an operating margin of 15.3%.
Finishing up the top three is James Hardie Industries (NYSE:JHX), with an operating margin of 13.5%.
