Farringdon Capital Ltd. Invests $442,000 in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Farringdon Capital Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 4,777 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $442,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of CRH by 7.9% in the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,562,962 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $144,605,000 after buying an additional 114,072 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 22.1% during the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 32,557 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,012,000 after acquiring an additional 5,889 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of CRH by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,450,632 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $226,732,000 after acquiring an additional 232,977 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC raised its position in CRH by 31.8% in the fourth quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 23,253 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,151,000 after purchasing an additional 5,610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its stake in CRH by 19.9% during the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 72,778 shares of the construction company's stock worth $6,733,000 after purchasing an additional 12,076 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Stock Performance

CRH traded up $3.01 on Wednesday, hitting $88.73. 2,555,447 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,647,463. The company has a market cap of $60.01 billion, a PE ratio of 17.75, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The stock's fifty day moving average is $93.78 and its 200-day moving average is $95.95.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CRH has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $112.36.

About CRH

CRH plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides building materials solutions in Ireland and internationally. It operates through four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions. The company provides solutions for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure and commercial and residential buildings; and produces and sells aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt, as well as provides paving and construction services.