Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ Takes $43.23 Million Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ purchased a new stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 467,230 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $43,228,000. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ owned approximately 0.07% of CRH at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CRH. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in CRH in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its holdings in CRH by 214.3% in the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC acquired a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Trading Down 1.1%

CRH traded down $0.97 on Friday, hitting $90.99. 8,756,692 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,826,161. The firm has a market cap of $61.48 billion, a PE ratio of 18.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.33. CRH plc has a twelve month low of $71.18 and a twelve month high of $110.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $90.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.05.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.06). CRH had a return on equity of 16.35% and a net margin of 9.86%. The firm had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.77 billion. On average, analysts predict that CRH plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.63%. CRH's payout ratio is currently 23.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on CRH shares. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $112.58.

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.