CRH (NYSE:CRH) Sees Large Volume Increase - Here's Why

Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 10,252,415 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 109% from the previous session's volume of 4,896,726 shares.The stock last traded at $94.58 and had previously closed at $97.59.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on CRH. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com raised shares of CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, CRH presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $109.64.

CRH Trading Up 0.2 %

The business's fifty day moving average is $99.94 and its 200 day moving average is $96.53. The company has a market cap of $66.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.65, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

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CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.51%.

Institutional Trading of CRH

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CRH. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in shares of CRH by 214.3% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

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.