The cyclical nature of wallboard prices can have an adverse effect on USG's sales, especially during times of reduced construction. Unfavorable pricing in addition to a decline in demand could spell trouble for the company.Sales to Home Depot HD make up 11% of USG's total revenue. Because Home
Insulation demand remains weak, but Owens-Corning's margins have weathered the storm well.
Valspar's VAL fiscal fourth-quarter results weren't surprising on the demand front, but the company posted another period of solid margin performance. Revenue fell 16% from the year-ago period, driven primarily by a 20% decline in coating sales, while paint revenue slipped 5%. Although industrial
Vulcan Materials VMC and Martin Marietta MLM continued to suffer from falling demand for construction aggregates in the third quarter. Despite this, both companies were able to post small overall price increases, although pricing did deteriorate in some specific markets (such as Florida). The