Merit Financial Group LLC Purchases 5,610 Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 31.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,253 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 5,610 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in CRH were worth $2,151,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of CRH. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators purchased a new stake in CRH in the third quarter worth about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of CRH by 72.7% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 297 shares of the construction company's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of CRH in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its position in shares of CRH by 70.7% during the third quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 391 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd purchased a new stake in CRH in the third quarter worth $58,000. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of CRH stock traded up $2.10 during trading on Monday, hitting $97.69. 3,858,317 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,316,136. CRH plc has a 1 year low of $68.15 and a 1 year high of $104.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $97.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $90.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.54, a PEG ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.31.

CRH Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.262 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. CRH's payout ratio is presently 21.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on CRH shares. Barclays began coverage on CRH in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $110.00 price objective for the company. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Monday, November 11th. They set a "buy" rating and a $116.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of CRH to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $107.75.

CRH 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.