CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Given Average Rating of “Buy” by Analysts

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) has received a consensus rating of “Buy” from the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $107.75.

CRH has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on CRH from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. HSBC began coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Monday, November 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $116.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Barclays began coverage on CRH in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $110.00 price target on the stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC raised its position in CRH by 33.4% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 36,156,017 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $3,341,258,000 after acquiring an additional 9,055,354 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its stake in CRH by 36,503.4% during the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 4,838,972 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $361,278,000 after purchasing an additional 4,825,752 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its holdings in CRH by 515.7% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 5,103,194 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $473,270,000 after buying an additional 4,274,336 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in CRH by 103.9% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,642,729 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $348,112,000 after buying an additional 2,365,589 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LGT Group Foundation increased its holdings in shares of CRH by 8,189.3% in the second quarter. LGT Group Foundation now owns 1,599,827 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $119,955,000 after buying an additional 1,580,527 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

CRH Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of CRH stock opened at $92.23 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $62.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.45, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $97.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $89.63. CRH has a 52 week low of $66.42 and a 52 week high of $104.23.

CRH Cuts Dividend

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

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.