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MCEM Q2 Earnings Rise 13.23% Y/Y as Sales, Margins Improve
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Shares of The Monarch Cement Company (MCEM - Free Report) have risen 0.10% since reporting the results for the second quarter of 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 index’s 0.30% decline. Over the past month, however, Monarch shares have lost 6.70%, while the S&P 500 has returned 3.50%.
Sales & Earnings Performance
Monarch reported second-quarter net sales of $69.74 million, up 2.81% from $67.83 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 13.23% to $5.65 from $4.99 in the prior-year quarter, while net income increased 12.33% to $21.04 million from $18.73 million. Gross profit advanced 3.88% year over year to $25.47 million, and income from operations increased 3.97% to $19.84 million. The quarterly gross profit rate moved up to 36.50% from 36.20%. A 19.69% decline in the income-tax provision to $4.94 million from $6.15 million helped net income grow faster than pretax income’s 4.42% rally.
The Monarch Cement Co. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Cement Business sales to unaffiliated customers increased 5.08% year over year to $49.15 million, while its income from operations climbed 12.86% to $18.54 million. The segment’s gross profit rate expanded to 45.30% from 42.60%. Ready-Mixed Concrete Business sales to unaffiliated customers fell 2.24% year over year to $20.59 million, and segment operating income dropped 51% to $1.30 million. Its gross profit rate contracted to 15.70% from 21.80%.
For the first six months of 2026, net sales increased 11.79% to $119.11 million, net income rose 51.12% to $32.37 million and earnings per share advanced 52.28% to $8.68. The first-half gross profit rate improved to 36.60% from 34%, as the Cement Business rate reached 47.90%, while the Ready-Mixed Concrete Business rate slipped to 12.60%.
For the first half of 2026, the operating cash flow more than doubled to $32.59 million from $14.95 million. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ended June at $36.98 million, compared with $34.16 million a year earlier. Working capital rose to $167.20 million from $158.60 million as of Dec. 31, 2025, as current assets increased more than current liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $21.55 million from $13.14 million, while net cash used in financing activities declined to $13.77 million from $16.46 million.
Management Commentary
Management emphasized that Monarch’s operations are seasonal, with sales generally peaking in the second and third quarters when weather is more conducive to construction. It also cautioned that cold, snow and heavy or sustained rain can curb construction activity and demand, including during peak periods, creating variability in operating results and profitability.
Factors Influencing the Results
Quarterly Cement Business sales rose $2.40 million, reflecting $1.50 million from a 3.30% increase in volume sold and $0.80 million from price increases. Ready-mixed concrete sales decreased $1.70 million as cubic yards sold fell 10.10%, partly offset by $0.20 million in pricing, while sales of brick, block and sundry items increased $1 million.
Consolidated cost of sales increased $1 million. Cement cost of sales rose $0.10 million, as a $0.90-million volume-related increase was largely offset by a $0.80-million reduction in production costs. In ready-mixed concrete, lower volume reduced costs by $1.30 million, but material costs increased $1.20 million; higher brick, block and sundry sales added $1 million. Other income rose to $5.42 million from $4.57 million, even as unrealized equity-investment gains declined to $3.27 million from $4.10 million, and equity in affiliate earnings fell to $0.72 million from $1.23 million.
Capital Spending & Outlook
Monarch plans to invest $35.20 million in property, plant and equipment during 2026. Through June, cash purchases totaled $17.80 million, including $11.60 million for cement production facilities and $6.20 million for routine Ready-Mixed Concrete Business equipment. The company also expects 2026 postretirement-benefit expenditure of $914,000; it had contributed $438,000 by June 30 and anticipated an additional $476,000.
Other Developments
Monarch’s 49%-owned RMCMO Holdings joint venture issued a dividend on April 30. In lieu of cash, Monarch received and retired 649 of its shares. On June 15, the company also adjusted the cost basis of the joint venture’s stock purchase by $143,882 and reduced the related Monarch share count by 499. The RMCMO investment’s carrying value was $35.61 million as of June 30, up from $34.62 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.
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MCEM Q2 Earnings Rise 13.23% Y/Y as Sales, Margins Improve
Shares of The Monarch Cement Company (MCEM - Free Report) have risen 0.10% since reporting the results for the second quarter of 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 index’s 0.30% decline. Over the past month, however, Monarch shares have lost 6.70%, while the S&P 500 has returned 3.50%.
Sales & Earnings Performance
Monarch reported second-quarter net sales of $69.74 million, up 2.81% from $67.83 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 13.23% to $5.65 from $4.99 in the prior-year quarter, while net income increased 12.33% to $21.04 million from $18.73 million. Gross profit advanced 3.88% year over year to $25.47 million, and income from operations increased 3.97% to $19.84 million. The quarterly gross profit rate moved up to 36.50% from 36.20%. A 19.69% decline in the income-tax provision to $4.94 million from $6.15 million helped net income grow faster than pretax income’s 4.42% rally.
The Monarch Cement Co. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The Monarch Cement Co. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | The Monarch Cement Co. Quote
Other Key Business Metrics
Cement Business sales to unaffiliated customers increased 5.08% year over year to $49.15 million, while its income from operations climbed 12.86% to $18.54 million. The segment’s gross profit rate expanded to 45.30% from 42.60%. Ready-Mixed Concrete Business sales to unaffiliated customers fell 2.24% year over year to $20.59 million, and segment operating income dropped 51% to $1.30 million. Its gross profit rate contracted to 15.70% from 21.80%.
For the first six months of 2026, net sales increased 11.79% to $119.11 million, net income rose 51.12% to $32.37 million and earnings per share advanced 52.28% to $8.68. The first-half gross profit rate improved to 36.60% from 34%, as the Cement Business rate reached 47.90%, while the Ready-Mixed Concrete Business rate slipped to 12.60%.
For the first half of 2026, the operating cash flow more than doubled to $32.59 million from $14.95 million. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ended June at $36.98 million, compared with $34.16 million a year earlier. Working capital rose to $167.20 million from $158.60 million as of Dec. 31, 2025, as current assets increased more than current liabilities.
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $21.55 million from $13.14 million, while net cash used in financing activities declined to $13.77 million from $16.46 million.
Management Commentary
Management emphasized that Monarch’s operations are seasonal, with sales generally peaking in the second and third quarters when weather is more conducive to construction. It also cautioned that cold, snow and heavy or sustained rain can curb construction activity and demand, including during peak periods, creating variability in operating results and profitability.
Factors Influencing the Results
Quarterly Cement Business sales rose $2.40 million, reflecting $1.50 million from a 3.30% increase in volume sold and $0.80 million from price increases. Ready-mixed concrete sales decreased $1.70 million as cubic yards sold fell 10.10%, partly offset by $0.20 million in pricing, while sales of brick, block and sundry items increased $1 million.
Consolidated cost of sales increased $1 million. Cement cost of sales rose $0.10 million, as a $0.90-million volume-related increase was largely offset by a $0.80-million reduction in production costs. In ready-mixed concrete, lower volume reduced costs by $1.30 million, but material costs increased $1.20 million; higher brick, block and sundry sales added $1 million. Other income rose to $5.42 million from $4.57 million, even as unrealized equity-investment gains declined to $3.27 million from $4.10 million, and equity in affiliate earnings fell to $0.72 million from $1.23 million.
Capital Spending & Outlook
Monarch plans to invest $35.20 million in property, plant and equipment during 2026. Through June, cash purchases totaled $17.80 million, including $11.60 million for cement production facilities and $6.20 million for routine Ready-Mixed Concrete Business equipment. The company also expects 2026 postretirement-benefit expenditure of $914,000; it had contributed $438,000 by June 30 and anticipated an additional $476,000.
Other Developments
Monarch’s 49%-owned RMCMO Holdings joint venture issued a dividend on April 30. In lieu of cash, Monarch received and retired 649 of its shares. On June 15, the company also adjusted the cost basis of the joint venture’s stock purchase by $143,882 and reduced the related Monarch share count by 499. The RMCMO investment’s carrying value was $35.61 million as of June 30, up from $34.62 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.