Is cement a good investment?

Cement is a vital part of a wide range of construction and infrastructure projects, making it a good choice for investors who want exposure to long-term growth trends.

Do cement companies pay dividends?

A large number of cement companies do pay dividends. This is a mature business with strong cash generation capabilities, making it ripe for income investors focused on dividends.

What is the future outlook for cement stocks?

Cement remains a key building block in construction, which should create steady long-term demand for cement and stable earnings for the companies that supply it.

Are cement stocks cyclical?

Cement demand is tied to construction activity, which can be cyclical based on factors including government investment and mortgage rates. Cement stocks tend to ebb and flow along with the construction cycle.

What is the average return on cement stocks historically?

Cement stocks doing business in established markets tend to be steady but not spectacular performers, making them ideal ballast in a portfolio. Emerging market cement stocks tend to be more volatile, offering the potential for higher returns but also more downside risk.

How do cement stocks compare with other infrastructure stocks?

Cement stocks occupy a specific niche within the infrastructure sector. The nature of cement makes it more tied to local market economic conditions than a commodity like steel that is more easily transported over long distances.

6 Best Cement Stocks to Buy in 2026

Best Cement Stocks to Invest In for May 2026

By Lou Whiteman – Updated Mar 3, 2026 at 10:23 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

U.S. needs over $9 trillion for infrastructure repairs, boosting cement demand.
Cement stocks offer stability, reducing risk in uncertain project funding.
Top cement stocks include CRH, Vulcan Materials, and Cemex, focusing on diverse markets.

U.S. infrastructure is in need of an update, and it’s going to fuel demand for a lot of cement.

The American Society of Civil Engineers projects that the country needs to spend more than $9 trillion to repair failing bridges, crumbling roads, and aging dams.

Investors have seen construction stocks and infrastructure stocks trade up and down in recent years following talk of action from Washington, D.C. Infrastructure has been a constant topic of debate on Capitol Hill, and while the money doesn't ever seem to flow as fast as advocates want, there is a steady stream of investment to the sector.

It’s hard to predict which individual projects might get funded, but we know spending on construction and infrastructure is increasing. For investors looking to buy stocks, cement stocks are a good way to negate project-specific uncertainty and take advantage of the trend because it’s a raw material that will be in demand, no matter what is prioritized.

Loading paragraph...

Top cement stocks in 2026

For the purposes of this list, we are differentiating between concrete -- the finished product used for home foundations, roads, and bridges -- and cement, which is the mixture of minerals combined with water and aggregates to make concrete. Think of this as a list of companies that make those raw materials, not the companies that mix them together and sell concrete.

Loading paragraph...

Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Current price	Market cap	Dividend yield
Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)	$103.21	$69.0 billion	1.83%
Vulcan Materials (NYSE:VMC)	$267.83	$34.8 billion	0.74%
James Hardie Industries Plc (NYSE:JHX)	$19.27	$11.2 billion	0.00%
Cemex (NYSE:CX)	$12.56	$19.0 billion	0.71%
Eagle Materials (NYSE:EXP)	$194.66	$6.1 billion	0.51%
Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:LOMA)	$10.39	$1.2 billion	0.00%

Data as of May 17, 2026. Showing 6 of 6 tickers.

Loading ticker_table...

1. CRH plc

NYSE: CRH

Crh Plc

Today's Change

(-3.76%) $-4.03

Current Price

$103.21

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$69B

Day's Range

$101.19 - $106.46

52wk Range

$86.83 - $131.55

Volume

5.8M

Avg Vol

5.3M

Gross Margin

36.09%

Dividend Yield

1.83%

Loading company_card...

Ireland’s CRH is a world leader in basic materials, supplying building products, aggregates, asphalt, and cement primarily in Europe and North America. In 2024 alone, CRH spent about $5 billion on 40 acquisitions.

CRH gives investors exposure not just to cement demand and U.S. infrastructure spending, but also to the rising demand in emerging markets such as Brazil. In the United States, CRH does business via the Ash Grove Cement brand.

Loading paragraph...

2. Vulcan Materials

NYSE: VMC

Vulcan Materials

Today's Change

(-2.64%) $-7.26

Current Price

$267.83

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$35B

Day's Range

$266.75 - $274.40

52wk Range

$252.35 - $331.09

Volume

955K

Avg Vol

1.3M

Gross Margin

27.68%

Dividend Yield

0.74%

Loading company_card...

Vulcan Materials is a U.S.-focused heavyweight that provides aggregates, asphalt, and cement to construction and industrial users located primarily in the U.S. Sun Belt. Although the company has facilities in the Bahamas and Mexico, investors buying into Vulcan today are making a bet on the U.S. market rather than on global demand.

Vulcan still sees opportunities to grow in its home market. In 2021, the company bought U.S. Concrete for $1.3 billion to expand its footprint in Texas and the northeastern U.S.

3. James Hardie Industries

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: JHX

James Hardie Industries Plc

Today's Change

(-2.08%) $-0.41

Current Price

$19.27

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$11B

Day's Range

$18.71 - $19.55

52wk Range

$16.46 - $29.82

Volume

9.6M

Avg Vol

6.5M

Gross Margin

35.86%

Loading company_card...

James Hardie is perhaps best known for its Hardie Board products, which are fiber cement building materials that are durable replacements for exterior wood and other construction materials. The Ireland-based company makes a range of finished cement products used in commercial and housing construction, including exterior siding, wallboards, floors, trim, fencing, and decking.

Hardie isn’t the same roads-and-bridges play as some of these companies, but it has expanded the addressable market for cement products and should benefit from an eco-friendly push to use new materials and make projects more durable.

Loading paragraph...

4. Cemex

NYSE: CX

Cemex

Today's Change

(-4.56%) $-0.60

Current Price

$12.56

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$19B

Day's Range

$12.53 - $12.96

52wk Range

$6.63 - $13.67

Volume

6.2M

Avg Vol

6.5M

Gross Margin

31.72%

Dividend Yield

0.71%

Loading company_card...

Cemex is Latin America’s largest supplier of cement and sells a range of basic materials and aggregates throughout its native Mexico, the U.S., and around the world. Cemex is one of the best cement stocks to buy for true global exposure, with operations spanning more than 50 countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Cemex has also been a leader in terms of sustainability, pledging to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to reduce dust emissions by 95%. Its efforts should help it to win business from all-important government customers trying to balance the need for construction with climate priorities.

Loading paragraph...

5. Eagle Materials

NYSE: EXP

Eagle Materials

Today's Change

(-3.69%) $-7.45

Current Price

$194.66

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$6.1B

Day's Range

$192.90 - $199.38

52wk Range

$171.99 - $243.64

Volume

347K

Avg Vol

418K

Gross Margin

28.30%

Dividend Yield

0.51%

Loading company_card...

Eagle Materials sells cement and a wide range of other building materials, including gypsum wallboard and aggregates. The company, which is focused on the U.S. construction market, manufactures and distributes its products from more than 70 facilities located in the U.S.

Eagle doesn’t offer the same geographic or product diversification as some of the other companies on this list, but it has a significant business selling to the red-hot housing market.

6. Loma Negra

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: LOMA

Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima

Today's Change

(-3.71%) $-0.40

Current Price

$10.39

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$1.2B

Day's Range

$10.34 - $10.90

52wk Range

$7.04 - $14.17

Volume

442K

Avg Vol

382K

Gross Margin

21.24%

Loading company_card...

Loma Negra is smaller than the others on this list and is focused primarily on the market in its native Argentina and in neighboring countries. The company produces cement, aggregates, lime, and ready-made concrete mixtures for construction companies and industrial users.

Loma is more of a pure-play investment in emerging markets, but demand from South America should significantly increase in the years to come as local economies continue to develop.

Why invest in cement stocks

Investing in cement stocks is often viewed as a bedrock strategy for long-term portfolios. Because cement is the primary ingredient in concrete, the industry acts as a direct proxy for global economic development.

Some factors driving growth:

Sustained infrastructure demand: Governments worldwide are currently engaged in massive infrastructure renewals. In the U.S., the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to fuel projects through 2026.
High barriers to entry: The cement industry has local "moats" protecting established players. New facilities require massive upfront investment and specialized permits, and because of its weight, transporting cement over long distances is inefficient.
Urban renewal and multifamily living: Apartment buildings and other land-efficient multiunit dwellings use more cement than a single-family home, primarily built out of wood or brick.

Cement is also seen as a hedge against inflation because cement companies often have the ability to pass along rising input costs, such as energy and labor, to customers. Since cement is an essential but relatively small portion of a total construction project, builders are usually "price takers."

Loading paragraph...

How to invest in cement stocks

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Factors to consider when choosing cement stocks

Among the factors to consider when evaluating cement stocks, investors should examine government and private-sector regional growth estimates to identify companies in locations ripe for demand. Environmental regulations should also be considered.

Construction is a cyclical industry. Investors should pay attention to the financial health of companies to ensure they have the wherewithal to survive a downturn.

Key trends in the cement industry

The cement industry is no longer just about crushing rock. Some trends shaping the future of the industry.

The rise of "green" or carbon-light mixes, replacing traditional mixes with more environmentally friendly materials, including fly ash, slag, and clay.
Demand from data centers and large infrastructure projects.
"Smart" mixing using artificial intelligence (AI) models to adjust kiln temperatures and fuel mixes in real time to optimize energy use and reduce waste.
Shift towards pre-fab construction, where cement is poured in molds at the factory, reducing waste.

Loading paragraph...

Are cement stocks right for you?

Some investors tend to shy away from stock market sectors such as cement, fearing the commodity nature of the product makes it too cyclical. But given the need for increased infrastructure spending to replace aging roads and bridges, plus the substantial demand for new housing over the next decade, it appears we are in the early stages of a long-term supercycle for cement demand.

Even if it is cyclical, cement has so many different end users that demand is unlikely to drop off if a particular segment of users hits hard times. Cement stocks aren’t likely to ever be confused with high-growth tech stocks, but they offer greater stability and predictability that can help balance a diversified portfolio.

Loading paragraph...

FAQ

Cement Stocks: FAQ

Loading faq...

About the Author

Lou Whiteman is a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst covering aerospace, defense, transport, manufacturing, specialty finance, and bank stocks. Previously, Lou was a financial analyst and senior writer for TheStreet, a venture capital specialist for The Deal LLC, and a high school personal finance teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola University Maryland and completed a fellowship at the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

TMFLouWhiteman

@louwhiteman

Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Eagle Materials. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Best Cement Stocks to Invest In for May 2026

Key Points

Top cement stocks in 2026

1. CRH plc

Key Data Points

2. Vulcan Materials

Key Data Points

3. James Hardie Industries

Key Data Points

4. Cemex

Key Data Points

5. Eagle Materials

Key Data Points

6. Loma Negra

Key Data Points

Why invest in cement stocks

How to invest in cement stocks

Factors to consider when choosing cement stocks

Key trends in the cement industry

Are cement stocks right for you?

Related investing topics

Best Mining Stocks to Buy in 2026: Your Complete Guide

Best Gold Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest

The Largest Materials Companies by Market Cap in May 2026

9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for May 2026

FAQ

Cement Stocks: FAQ

Is cement a good investment?

Is cement a good investment?

Do cement companies pay dividends?

Do cement companies pay dividends?

What is the future outlook for cement stocks?

What is the future outlook for cement stocks?

Are cement stocks cyclical?

Are cement stocks cyclical?

What is the average return on cement stocks historically?

What is the average return on cement stocks historically?

How do cement stocks compare with other infrastructure stocks?

How do cement stocks compare with other infrastructure stocks?

About the Author

Read Next

Stocks Mentioned

Premium Investing Services

Top cement stocks in 2026

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

3. James Hardie Industries

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

6. Loma Negra

Key Data Points

Why invest in cement stocks

How to invest in cement stocks

Factors to consider when choosing cement stocks

Key trends in the cement industry

Are cement stocks right for you?

Best Mining Stocks to Buy in 2026: Your Complete Guide

Best Gold Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest

The Largest Materials Companies by Market Cap in May 2026

9 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold for May 2026

Cement Stocks: FAQ

Is cement a good investment?

Is cement a good investment?

Do cement companies pay dividends?

Do cement companies pay dividends?

What is the future outlook for cement stocks?

What is the future outlook for cement stocks?

Are cement stocks cyclical?

Are cement stocks cyclical?

What is the average return on cement stocks historically?

What is the average return on cement stocks historically?

How do cement stocks compare with other infrastructure stocks?

How do cement stocks compare with other infrastructure stocks?

Key Data Points