Martin Marietta And Vulcan Materials' Unfriendly Merger

By Alan Brochstein, CFA: The hostile bid by Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) for larger Vulcan Materials (

William Kabourek submits:The recession and its impact on certain industries remains far from over. The aggregates industry, forgive the play on words, is a bedrock of the U.S economy. However, it hasn't been very hospitable to owners in that are central to the economy can experience significant troubles, especially if balance sheets get stretched.

By Stocks & Shares:Hostile takeovers are among the most compelling events in business. These events involve conflict between executives, courtrooms, and other elements seen in prime-time drama. Though interesting and entertaining, hostile takeovers do not necessarily afford attractive investment plays.

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM) Q4 2012 Earnings Call February 12, 2013, 02:00 pm ET Executives Howard Nye - President & CEO Anne Lloyd - EVP & CFO Analysts Arnie Ursaner - CJS Securities Kathryn Thompson - Thompson Research Group Trey Grooms - Stephens Jerry Revich - Goldman Sachs Keith Hughes - SunTrust Ted Grace - Susquehanna

Reuters - Construction aggregates maker Martin Marietta Materials Inc launched a hostile $4.8 billion all-stock offer to buy larger rival Vulcan Materials Co in a bid to build a global leader in an industry that has been battered by the housing-market downturn.

Martin Marietta Materials began a hostile bid for Vulcan Materials, its rival in the business of producing crushed stone and gravel for construction, after more than a year and a half of fruitless private talks.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Martin Marietta Materials has launched a hostile takeover bid for rival construction materials company Vulcan Materials with an offer to buy the company for $4.74 billion in stock....