Why did MLM's Q4 earnings fall short of forecasts?

Martin Marietta's (MLM) Q4 earnings fell short of forecasts due to a combination of factors:

1. **Unplanned Changes in Costs and Realignment of Customers**: These factors introduced volatility to earnings, making it challenging to meet expectations.
2. **Impact of Unusual Items on Profit**: While the company's profit was boosted by significant unusual items, which are unlikely to be repeated, this dampened enthusiasm among investors.

In summary, MLM's Q4 earnings fell short of forecasts due to unplanned changes in costs or realignment of customers that introduced volatility to earnings, and the impact of unusual items on profit.