Strategic Global Advisors LLC Reduces Stock Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Strategic Global Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 93.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,516 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 37,805 shares during the quarter. Strategic Global Advisors LLC's holdings in CRH were worth $233,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in CRH in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its holdings 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 during the period. Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators increased its holdings in CRH by 87.7% during the 4th quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company's stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares during the period. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on CRH shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $112.58.

CRH Stock Down 1.1%

Shares of NYSE:CRH traded down $1.06 on Friday, hitting $94.10. The company had a trading volume of 5,235,921 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,818,081. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $91.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $96.30. CRH plc has a 1 year low of $71.18 and a 1 year high of $110.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.33.

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

CRH Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Shareholders 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 1.57%. CRH's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.52%.

About CRH

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.