CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Sold by Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI

Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI decreased its position in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 8.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,215,366 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 113,819 shares during the period. CRH comprises 0.9% of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI owned approximately 0.18% of CRH worth $112,532,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its stake in CRH by 214.3% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC acquired a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in CRH by 859.6% in the 4th quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 499 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 447 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have issued reports on CRH. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. StockNews.com raised CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, CRH currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $112.58.

CRH Stock Performance

CRH opened at $98.60 on Tuesday. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $91.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $96.35. The company has a market cap of $66.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.72, a PEG 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.06) by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $6.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.77 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 16.35% and a net margin of 9.86%. As a group, analysts predict that CRH plc will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CRH Announces Dividend

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

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.

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