CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Buy" from Brokerages

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Buy" by the eleven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $109.64.

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Citigroup lowered their target price on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a research report on Friday, February 28th.

CRH Trading Down 2.9 %

NYSE CRH traded down $2.80 on Wednesday, hitting $94.79. 37,706,618 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,999,080. The company has a market cap of $64.16 billion, a PE ratio of 18.96, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $99.81 and a 200-day moving average of $96.30. CRH has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97.

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CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This is a boost from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. CRH's dividend payout ratio is 15.51%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CRH

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in CRH by 214.3% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in CRH in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.