KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Increases Stock Position in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS boosted its stake in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 1.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 166,000 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 2,900 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS's holdings in CRH were worth $14,662,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CRH. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in CRH by 214.3% in the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 price objective on the stock. DA Davidson restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $105.00 price objective (down from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $112.82.

CRH Trading Up 3.0%

Shares of CRH stock traded up $2.90 on Friday, reaching $100.07. 8,790,491 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,437,300. Crh Plc has a 1-year low of $74.03 and a 1-year high of $110.97. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $93.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $94.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.61 billion, a PE ratio of 21.20, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.26.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.06) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $6.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.77 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 15.88% and a net margin of 9.17%. Research analysts expect that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. CRH's dividend payout ratio is currently 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.