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

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) has earned an average recommendation of “Buy” from the twelve brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $110.00.

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

CRH Trading Up 1.8 %

CRH stock opened at $84.75 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $96.40 and a 200-day moving average of $96.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders 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 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is 22.66%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CRH

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its position 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 valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new stake in CRH in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.