Cetera Investment Advisers Raises Stock Holdings in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 15.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 65,808 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 8,666 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers' holdings in CRH were worth $6,089,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Centiva Capital LP raised its position in shares of CRH by 102.1% in the 4th quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 5,007 shares of the construction company's stock worth $463,000 after purchasing an additional 2,529 shares during the last quarter. Bridgefront Capital LLC raised its position in CRH by 20.6% in the 4th quarter. Bridgefront Capital LLC now owns 13,200 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,221,000 after buying an additional 2,255 shares during the last quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. purchased a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth about $231,000. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth about $5,803,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in CRH by 29.9% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 10,341 shares of the construction company's stock worth $957,000 after buying an additional 2,383 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Stock Performance

CRH stock traded up $1.15 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $98.98. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,180,808 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,795,153. The company has a 50 day moving average of $91.51 and a 200-day moving average of $96.32. The stock has a market cap of $66.87 billion, a PE ratio of 19.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.33. CRH plc has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $110.97.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.06). CRH had a net margin of 9.86% and a return on equity of 16.35%. The business had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.77 billion. On average, equities research analysts forecast that CRH plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. CRH's payout ratio is 23.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on CRH. Loop Capital assumed coverage on CRH in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, CRH presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $112.58.

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.