APG Asset Management N.V. Acquires 354,312 Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

APG Asset Management N.V. increased its position in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 355.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 454,041 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 354,312 shares during the quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. owned approximately 0.07% of CRH worth $40,568,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Straightline Group LLC bought a new position in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Capula Management Ltd grew its stake in CRH by 238.3% in the 4th quarter. Capula Management Ltd now owns 38,811 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,591,000 after purchasing an additional 27,338 shares during the period. Shelton Capital Management increased its position in shares of CRH by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Shelton Capital Management now owns 14,475 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,339,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Polymer Capital Management US LLC bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the 4th quarter worth $4,885,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CRH by 43.0% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 169,248 shares of the construction company's stock worth $15,667,000 after buying an additional 50,881 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Stock Performance

Shares of CRH traded up $1.45 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $86.19. The company had a trading volume of 1,455,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,948,160. The company has a market capitalization of $58.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $96.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $96.26. CRH plc has a 52 week low of $71.18 and a 52 week high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.37 dividend. This is a boost from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. CRH's dividend payout ratio is currently 22.66%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on CRH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Loop Capital began coverage on CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $109.83.

CRH Company Profile

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.