Brokerages Set CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) PT at $106.42

Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of "Buy" by the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eleven have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $106.42.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on CRH from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. StockNews.com raised CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised CRH to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th.

CRH Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CRH traded down $2.91 during trading on Monday, hitting $100.09. 6,613,586 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,802,930. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $96.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $87.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.98 billion, a PE ratio of 20.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.29. CRH has a 12-month low of $65.06 and a 12-month high of $104.23.

CRH Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 22nd will be paid a $0.262 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 22nd. CRH's payout ratio is 37.20%.

Institutional Trading of CRH

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CRH. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in CRH by 6.1% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,325 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $399,000 after acquiring an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. M&G Plc acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,745,000. Diversified Trust Co grew its stake in CRH by 51.3% during the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 41,938 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,145,000 after buying an additional 14,222 shares during the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its position in CRH by 1.4% during the second quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 191,693 shares of the construction company's stock worth $14,373,000 after buying an additional 2,579 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in CRH by 26.3% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 8,398 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $630,000 after buying an additional 1,747 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.