CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Sold by Rock Creek Group LP

Rock Creek Group LP lessened its stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 28.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 25,000 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 10,000 shares during the period. CRH makes up about 0.2% of Rock Creek Group LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Rock Creek Group LP's holdings in CRH were worth $2,313,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CRH. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its stake in shares of CRH by 40.1% in the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 5,508 shares of the construction company's stock worth $511,000 after acquiring an additional 1,577 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in CRH during the third quarter valued at approximately $405,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in CRH in the third quarter worth approximately $501,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 32.4% during the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 8,762 shares of the construction company's stock worth $813,000 after acquiring an additional 2,144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP increased its stake in shares of CRH by 325.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 24,181 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,243,000 after purchasing an additional 18,502 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on CRH shares. Citigroup cut their target price on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $109.64.

CRH Stock Down 3.6 %

Shares of NYSE:CRH traded down $3.29 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $87.34. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,888,116 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,892,252. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.07 billion, a PE ratio of 17.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a twelve month low of $71.18 and a twelve month high of $110.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $99.17 and a 200 day moving average of $96.74.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.69%. This is an increase from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. CRH's dividend payout ratio is presently 15.51%.

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.