Martin Marietta rolls

In reporting record net sales, net earnings and earnings per share in the second quarter, Martin Marietta Materials predicted good things for the rest of the year as well. The company expects the outlook for the aggregates business in the remainder of 2005 to be positive, with aggregates shipments volume to increase 4% to 6% and aggregates pricing to increase 5.5% to 7%. The price increase is an especially positive development, as for years, producers have been saying the industry needs to get more for its products. Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Martin Marietta Materials, noted that shipments and pricing were particularly strong across the Southwest and the Southeast, as demand increased from all end-use construction sectors. Great news, indeed. Your comment?