J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. Makes New Investment in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. bought a new position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 6,746 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $467,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the third quarter worth approximately $941,562,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,358,000. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the third quarter worth approximately $1,484,901,000. Asio Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CRH by 75.3% during the fourth quarter. Asio Capital LLC now owns 54,015 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $3,736,000 after purchasing an additional 23,205 shares during the period. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the third quarter worth approximately $73,833,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CRH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Vertical Research began coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $105.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of CRH from $89.70 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Stifel Nicolaus reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $82.00 price target (up previously from $80.00) on shares of CRH in a research report on Monday, April 15th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. Finally, DA Davidson initiated coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, January 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $82.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $79.31.

CRH Stock Performance

Shares of CRH stock opened at $78.78 on Wednesday. CRH plc has a 1 year low of $47.14 and a 1 year high of $88.00. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $82.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.53.

CRH Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were issued a $0.262 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th.

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.