Are construction stocks a good buy now?

Construction stocks aren't as flashy as high-growth tech stocks, but there is massive long-term demand for their services. For those focused on reliable returns over an extended period of time, construction stocks are a good buy right now.

What is the fastest-growing construction industry?

In recent years, the fastest-growing sectors of the construction industry include infrastructure projects, green and sustainable construction, and residential construction.

Are any construction companies in the Fortune 500?

Construction companies, including Fluor, Aecom (NYSE:ACM), and Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J), are all part of the Fortune 500.

What are the construction stocks with the highest dividends?

Historically, materials producers tend to have the highest dividend yields. These are steady, slow-growth businesses where income is a big part of the total return picture. But dividend yields tend to fluctuate based on market sentiment, so investors should always check individual yields at the time of purchase to look for the best values.

How do construction companies make money?

Construction companies make money by completing projects or supplying materials for a price higher than their costs. More profitable companies tend to be more efficient. Some companies also make money from recurring revenue from maintenance, facility management, and engineering.

Best Construction Stocks to Buy in 2026

Best Construction Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

By Lou Whiteman – Updated Jan 28, 2026 at 11:31 AM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

U.S. construction boom drives demand for companies involved in building and materials.
Investors can choose from construction stocks like Caterpillar and United Rentals for exposure.
Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF offers a diverse portfolio of construction firms.

Construction spending is rising, fueled by new housing demand and massive government investment in infrastructure. For investors, that creates opportunities across a wide range of companies involved in building homes, roads, and large-scale projects.

Construction stocks include homebuilders, materials suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and firms that manage complex projects from start to finish. Many are known for steady cash flow and dividends, but some also offer above-average growth tied to long-term infrastructure and development trends.

Here are some of the best construction stocks to consider today.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market cap	Dividend yield	Industry
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT)	$316.8 billion	0.87%	Machinery
United Rentals (NYSE:URI)	$51.0 billion	0.91%	Trading Companies and Distributors
Vulcan Materials (FRA:VMC)	$30.8 billion	0.73%	Construction Materials
Nucor (NYSE:NUE)	$38.4 billion	1.31%	Metals and Mining
Fluor (NYSE:FLR)	$6.6 billion	0.00%	Construction and Engineering
NV5 Global (NASDAQ:NVEE)	N/A	N/A	Professional Services

Data as of Mar 8, 2026. Showing 6 of 6 tickers.

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NYSE: CAT

Caterpillar

Today's Change

(-3.54%) $-24.96

Current Price

$681.12

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$317B

Day's Range

$675.25 - $696.33

52wk Range

$267.30 - $789.81

Volume

160K

Avg Vol

2.8M

Gross Margin

32.21%

Dividend Yield

0.87%

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When construction demand is booming, Caterpillar has a lot of ways to win. The company sells heavy equipment for construction sites, and it benefits from the corresponding boost in demand for raw materials that pushes mining companies to buy new equipment. Caterpillar also has a large financing arm, and the company makes billions annually on services and spare part sales.

2. United Rentals

When construction activity is brisk, many small to mid-sized contractors need a lot more equipment than what they have on hand. United Rentals (URI -3.85%) is the solution to that problem, offering a wide range of equipment from a network of more than 1,600 branches across North America and Europe.

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NYSE: URI

United Rentals

Today's Change

(-3.85%) $-32.43

Current Price

$810.50

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$51B

Day's Range

$803.18 - $820.00

52wk Range

$525.91 - $1021.47

Volume

43K

Avg Vol

689K

Gross Margin

35.44%

Dividend Yield

0.91%

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United Rentals is North America's largest equipment rental company, but it still has just 15% of a highly fragmented market. The company benefits from renting to a broad range of markets, including construction and utilities, helping it generate steady results regardless of fluctuations in demand from individual sectors.

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The company pays a dividend and has a long history of returning excess cash to investors via share buybacks. United Rentals has reduced its share count by 31% over the past decade, meaning that each share an investor owns is worth more of the overall company now than it would have been a decade ago.

3. Vulcan Materials

Vulcan Materials (VMC -4.30%) is the country's largest producer of construction aggregates, primarily crushed stone, sand, and gravel, as well as a major producer of construction materials, including asphalt and concrete. This is a business where scale really matters.

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NYSE: VMC

Vulcan Materials

Today's Change

(-4.30%) $-12.36

Current Price

$274.87

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$36B

Day's Range

$273.92 - $281.52

52wk Range

$215.08 - $331.09

Volume

99K

Avg Vol

1.1M

Gross Margin

27.38%

Dividend Yield

0.71%

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NYSE: NUE

Nucor

Today's Change

(-1.95%) $-3.35

Current Price

$168.75

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$38B

Day's Range

$166.67 - $170.63

52wk Range

$97.59 - $196.90

Volume

1.5M

Avg Vol

1.7M

Gross Margin

12.01%

Dividend Yield

1.31%

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Today, Nucor ranks among the largest U.S. steel manufacturers and has a reputation as one of the few that can remain profitable when demand wanes.

The steel industry has been the source of a lot of investor heartbreak over the years, with the industry forced to restructure under pressure from lower-cost foreign competition. There's little Nucor can do about changes in demand for steel, but the company has a proven formula to keep costs low that has made investing in steel a good option for the first time in a generation.

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5. Fluor

Fluor (FLR -2.48%) is a century-old engineering and construction company that has grown from humble beginnings as a Texas-based builder of oil rigs into a multinational giant. Fluor offers a range of services, from project design and management all the way through to actual construction.

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NYSE: FLR

Fluor

Today's Change

(-2.48%) $-1.14

Current Price

$45.04

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$6.6B

Day's Range

$44.28 - $45.53

52wk Range

$29.20 - $57.50

Volume

133K

Avg Vol

2.9M

Gross Margin

-77.40%

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Buying into Fluor provides investors with exposure to commercial and private sector construction around the world, emphasizing megaprojects such as New York State's replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

6. NV5 Global

Think of NV5 Global (NASDAQ:NVEE) as a scaled-down version of Fluor. NV5 is focused on the industrial engineering side of the business, providing professional and technical consulting services for government and business clients.

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NASDAQ: NVEE

NV5 Global

Today's Change

(0.00%) $0.00

Current Price

$0.00

Key Data Points

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Construction stocks FAQ

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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 has positions in and recommends Caterpillar. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Best Construction Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Key Points

Key Data Points

2. United Rentals

Key Data Points

3. Vulcan Materials

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. Fluor

Key Data Points

6. NV5 Global

Key Data Points

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Construction stocks FAQ

Are construction stocks a good buy now?

Are construction stocks a good buy now?

What is the fastest-growing construction industry?

What is the fastest-growing construction industry?

Are any construction companies in the Fortune 500?

Are any construction companies in the Fortune 500?

What are the construction stocks with the highest dividends?

What are the construction stocks with the highest dividends?

How do construction companies make money?

How do construction companies make money?

About the Author

Stocks Mentioned

Our Guides

Premium Investing Services

Construction stocks FAQ

Are construction stocks a good buy now?

Are construction stocks a good buy now?

What is the fastest-growing construction industry?

What is the fastest-growing construction industry?

Are any construction companies in the Fortune 500?

Are any construction companies in the Fortune 500?

What are the construction stocks with the highest dividends?

What are the construction stocks with the highest dividends?

How do construction companies make money?

How do construction companies make money?

Best Transportation Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Best Glass Stocks of 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Best Materials Stocks of 2026 and How to Invest in Them

5 Best Lumber Stocks in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Key Data Points

Top construction stocks to consider

How to choose construction stocks

Are construction stocks right for you?

Related investing topics

FAQ

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

1. Caterpillar

2. United Rentals

3. Vulcan Materials

4. Nucor

5. Fluor

6. NV5 Global