Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Bought by Exane Asset Management

Exane Asset Management grew its position in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 22.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 226,087 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 41,013 shares during the period. CRH accounts for approximately 11.3% of Exane Asset Management's investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Exane Asset Management's holdings in CRH were worth $19,889,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of CRH by 13.0% during the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 40,843,362 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,781,004,000 after purchasing an additional 4,687,345 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 39,163,930 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,624,719,000 after purchasing an additional 145,101 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 17.0% in the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,788,918 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,553,194,000 after purchasing an additional 2,437,868 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,391,245,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in CRH by 2.6% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,830,489 shares of the construction company's stock worth $776,818,000 after acquiring an additional 221,038 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of CRH stock traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $94.69. 2,980,185 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,916,644. Crh Plc has a 12 month low of $74.02 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The stock has a market cap of $63.98 billion, a PE ratio of 20.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.26. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $93.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $94.49.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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 company had revenue of $6.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 expect that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. CRH's payout ratio is currently 23.52%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CRH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Loop Capital started coverage on CRH in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price target on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 target price for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $114.18.

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.