CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Position Lifted by Blue Grotto Capital LLC

Blue Grotto Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 42.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 300,000 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 89,957 shares during the period. CRH makes up approximately 5.1% of Blue Grotto Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Blue Grotto Capital LLC's holdings in CRH were worth $27,756,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CRH. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of CRH by 33.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 36,156,017 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,341,258,000 after purchasing an additional 9,055,354 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its holdings in CRH by 515.7% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 5,103,194 shares of the construction company's stock worth $473,270,000 after buying an additional 4,274,336 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in CRH by 8.7% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 14,351,050 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,329,796,000 after buying an additional 1,148,708 shares in the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. increased its holdings in CRH by 4,264.7% in the fourth quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 1,034,527 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $95,714,000 after buying an additional 1,010,825 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of CRH by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,609,451 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $796,546,000 after acquiring an additional 826,758 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

Remove Ads

CRH Stock Performance

NYSE CRH traded down $4.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $88.09. 11,039,934 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,457,916. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.57 billion, a PE ratio of 17.62, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 1-year low of $71.18 and a 1-year high of $110.97. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $99.77 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.68.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.37 dividend. This is a positive change from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. CRH's dividend payout ratio is presently 15.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped 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 dropped their price target on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $109.64.

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.