Martin Marietta Materials profit rises on strong pricing, infrastructure demand

April 30 (Reuters) - Martin Marietta Materials MLM.N reported a higher first-quarter profit and revenue on Thursday, aided by sustained demand for infrastructure and strong pricing.

An uptick in demand for AI-focused infrastructure such as data centers has helped boost construction activity over the past few years, benefiting material suppliers such as Martin Marietta.

• CEO Ward Nye said the company recorded a 7% increase in organic aggregates shipments, helped by an early start to the construction season in the Midwest and Colorado, as well as strong infrastructure activity and heavy nonresidential demand across its regions.

• Martin Marietta's first-quarter adjusted profit per share rose to $1.93, compared with $1.70 a year ago. Analysts on average were expecting $1.91 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

• Its overall revenue for the quarter ended March 31 rose 17% to $1.36 billion from a year earlier.

• The company forecast 2026 revenue between $7 billion and $7.32 billion, the midpoint of which is slightly above analysts' estimates of $7 billion.