Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Raises Stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 7.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 479,438 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 33,577 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned 0.07% of CRH worth $44,517,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Baillie Gifford & Co. lifted its stake in shares of CRH by 70.7% in the third quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 391 shares of the construction company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 87.7% in the 4th quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on CRH shares. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $109.25.

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CRH Trading Up 3.3 %

Shares of NYSE:CRH traded up $3.11 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $97.74. The company had a trading volume of 5,091,644 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,319,880. The firm has a market cap of $66.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.54, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $110.97. The company's 50-day moving average price is $99.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $95.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. This is a positive change from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH's payout ratio is 20.87%.

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.