Entropy Technologies LP Invests $3.34 Million in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)

Key Points

• Entropy Technologies LP has invested approximately $3.34 million in CRH Plc by acquiring 38,006 shares during the 1st quarter.
• CRH reported $1.94 EPS for the last quarter, missing estimates, while its revenue rose by 5.7% year-over-year to $10.21 billion.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.37, representing a 1.4% dividend yield, payable on September 24th.

Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new position in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 38,006 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $3,343,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CRH. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, GW&K Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of CRH by 86.7% during the first quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 448 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Price Performance

NYSE CRH traded up $4.73 on Tuesday, hitting $112.15. The stock had a trading volume of 7,540,199 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,542,755. The business's fifty day moving average price is $94.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $95.07. Crh Plc has a 52-week low of $76.75 and a 52-week high of $112.19. The stock has a market cap of $75.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.26.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The construction company reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.06 by ($0.12). CRH had a return on equity of 15.68% and a net margin of 9.09%. The firm had revenue of $10.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.88 earnings per share. CRH's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 22nd. CRH's payout ratio is presently 23.22%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on CRH shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $112.00 price target (up previously from $108.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday. Vertical Research raised shares of CRH to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Friday. Finally, DA Davidson reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $105.00 price objective (down from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $113.18.

CRH 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.