CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Acquired by Blue Grotto Capital LLC

Blue Grotto Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 42.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 300,000 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 89,957 shares during the period. CRH comprises 5.1% of Blue Grotto Capital LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Blue Grotto Capital LLC’s holdings in CRH were worth $27,756,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in CRH during the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators increased its position in shares of CRH by 87.7% in the fourth quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management bought a new stake in CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $57,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in CRH by 111.4% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 668 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

CRH Trading Up 0.2 %

CRH stock opened at $98.34 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $100.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $96.62. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The company has a market capitalization of $66.56 billion, a PE ratio of 19.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Citigroup cut their target price on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, CRH has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $109.64.

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.