Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Grows Position in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)

Key Points

• Zurcher Kantonalbank increased its CRH Plc stock position by 74.2%, owning approximately $72.35 million worth of shares after purchasing an additional 355,939 shares in the 1st quarter.
• CRH recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share, with a current dividend yield of 1.48%.
• Analysts have varied views on CRH, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $112.82.

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 74.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 835,377 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 355,939 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned about 0.12% of CRH worth $72,351,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter valued at 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 valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new position in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE CRH traded up $0.75 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $97.99. The company had a trading volume of 1,006,276 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,655,479. Crh Plc has a 12-month low of $74.03 and a 12-month high of $110.97. The stock has a market cap of $66.21 billion, a PE ratio of 20.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.26. The business's 50-day moving average is $93.17 and its 200 day moving average is $94.76.

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

CRH Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd were issued a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.51%. CRH's payout ratio is 23.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. DA Davidson reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $105.00 target price (down from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Loop Capital started coverage on CRH in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price target on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $112.82.

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.