Baupost Group LLC MA Has $244.38 Million Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Baupost Group LLC MA increased its position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 0.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,641,402 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 4,800 shares during the quarter. CRH accounts for approximately 7.1% of Baupost Group LLC MA's holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Baupost Group LLC MA owned about 0.39% of CRH worth $244,383,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,391,245,000. FMR LLC raised its stake in CRH by 13.0% during the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 40,843,362 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,781,004,000 after purchasing an additional 4,687,345 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 17.0% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,788,918 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,553,194,000 after acquiring an additional 2,437,868 shares during the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of CRH by 4,264.7% in the 4th quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 1,034,527 shares of the construction company's stock worth $95,714,000 after purchasing an additional 1,010,825 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in CRH by 32,560.1% during the fourth quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 951,714 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $88,053,000 after acquiring an additional 948,800 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CRH traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $84.79. 5,452,284 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,640,318. The company has a market capitalization of $57.34 billion, a PE ratio of 16.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 52-week low of $71.18 and a 52-week high of $110.97. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $95.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $96.01.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.75%. This is an increase from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.66%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. 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 report on Monday, January 6th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $112.36.

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.