Scientech Research LLC Has $1.68 Million Position in Crh Plc $CRH

Key Points

• Scientech Research LLC increased its stake in Crh Plc by 123.6% during the first quarter, owning 19,055 shares now worth approximately $1.68 million.
• Other institutional investors have also significantly increased their holdings, with MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raising its position by an astonishing 58,695.3%, now owning nearly 2.83 million shares valued at $249 million.
• CRH recently reported earnings of $1.94 per share, missing estimates, while its quarterly revenue was approximately $10.21 billion, reflecting a year-over-year revenue increase of 5.7%.

Scientech Research LLC increased its holdings in shares of Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 123.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 19,055 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 10,532 shares during the period. CRH accounts for about 0.4% of Scientech Research LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Scientech Research LLC's holdings in CRH were worth $1,676,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in CRH by 21.0% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 21,285 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,969,000 after acquiring an additional 3,692 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in shares of CRH by 29.9% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 10,341 shares of the construction company's stock worth $957,000 after purchasing an additional 2,383 shares during the last quarter. Centiva Capital LP grew its stake in shares of CRH by 102.1% during the fourth quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 5,007 shares of the construction company's stock worth $463,000 after purchasing an additional 2,529 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in CRH by 15.2% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 65,808 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $6,089,000 after purchasing an additional 8,666 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at about $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Trading Up 2.9%

Shares of CRH stock traded up $3.26 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $114.52. 4,081,828 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,428,830. Crh Plc has a 52 week low of $76.75 and a 52 week high of $114.55. The business has a 50 day moving average of $103.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.50. The company has a market capitalization of $77.03 billion, a PE ratio of 23.96, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.31.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The construction company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.06 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $10.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.27 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 15.68% and a net margin of 9.09%.CRH's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.88 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 24th. Investors of record on Friday, August 22nd will be given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 22nd. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.22%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on CRH shares. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on CRH from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. DA Davidson restated a "neutral" rating and set a $105.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a report on Thursday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $130.00 target price for the company. Finally, Vertical Research upgraded shares of CRH to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $116.00.

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.