Brokerages Set CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) PT at $109.25

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) has received an average recommendation of “Buy” from the eleven analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $109.64.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Citigroup lowered their price target on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th.

Institutional Trading of CRH

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in CRH in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CRH during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its stake in shares of CRH by 214.3% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in CRH in the third quarter valued at $35,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Price Performance

NYSE CRH opened at $98.34 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.67, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $100.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $96.62. CRH has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.50%. This is a positive change from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.51%.

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.