Arizona State Retirement System Has $17.54 Million Stock Holdings in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)

Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 1.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 199,366 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 3,102 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System's holdings in CRH were worth $17,538,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CRH. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in 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 buying an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC acquired a new position in CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE:CRH traded down $1.11 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $94.13. The stock had a trading volume of 646,369 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,863,978. Crh Plc has a 52 week low of $74.03 and a 52 week high of $110.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $93.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $94.52.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.77 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 15.88% and a net margin of 9.17%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Crh Plc will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current year.

CRH Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 23rd. CRH's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. DA Davidson reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $105.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Thursday. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, CRH currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $112.82.

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.