DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main Sells 103,263 Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lessened its stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 0.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 13,610,764 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 103,263 shares during the quarter. CRH comprises 1.3% of DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main's investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main owned about 2.00% of CRH worth $1,259,272,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in CRH. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in shares of CRH by 214.3% in 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 during the last quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new position in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators raised its position in CRH by 87.7% in the 4th quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Stock Up 0.8 %

CRH stock traded up $0.76 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $94.70. The stock had a trading volume of 3,783,352 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,819,749. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.05 billion, a PE ratio of 18.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.33. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $91.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $96.13.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.77 billion. Equities research analysts expect that CRH plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The business 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 $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 14th. StockNews.com raised CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Loop Capital assumed coverage on CRH in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, CRH has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $112.36.

CRH Company Profile

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.