Exane Asset Management Has $19.89 Million Stock Position in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)

Exane Asset Management increased its position in shares of Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 22.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 226,087 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 41,013 shares during the period. CRH makes up about 11.3% of Exane Asset Management's holdings, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. 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 hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of CRH. Stratos Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of CRH by 21.0% in the 1st quarter. Stratos Investment Management LLC now owns 77,110 shares of the construction company's stock worth $6,783,000 after buying an additional 13,401 shares during the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its holdings in shares of CRH by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 293,170 shares of the construction company's stock worth $25,790,000 after buying an additional 17,004 shares during the last quarter. Ninety One SA PTY Ltd increased its holdings in shares of CRH by 8.9% in the 1st quarter. Ninety One SA PTY Ltd now owns 61,484 shares of the construction company's stock worth $5,400,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd increased its holdings in shares of CRH by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 2,779,171 shares of the construction company's stock worth $244,484,000 after buying an additional 231,345 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Callan Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of CRH in the 1st quarter worth $203,000. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:CRH traded down $0.49 on Thursday, hitting $95.98. The company had a trading volume of 3,616,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,911,846. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $93.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $94.50. Crh Plc has a 1 year low of $74.03 and a 1 year high of $110.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.26.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly 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 business had revenue of $6.76 billion during 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%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.54%. CRH's payout ratio is 23.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CRH shares. DA Davidson reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $105.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Thursday. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on shares of CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price 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.