CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Sold by Freedom Investment Management Inc.

Freedom Investment Management Inc. lessened its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 74.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,214 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 6,450 shares during the quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc.'s holdings in CRH were worth $205,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter valued at $1,391,245,000. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of CRH by 13.0% in the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 40,843,362 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,781,004,000 after buying an additional 4,687,345 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its stake in shares of CRH by 17.0% in the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,788,918 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,553,194,000 after buying an additional 2,437,868 shares in the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. boosted its position in CRH by 4,264.7% during the fourth quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 1,034,527 shares of the construction company's stock worth $95,714,000 after acquiring an additional 1,010,825 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its stake in CRH by 32,560.1% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 951,714 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $88,053,000 after acquiring an additional 948,800 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on CRH shares. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Loop Capital began coverage on CRH in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $112.36.

CRH Trading Up 0.5 %

CRH stock traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $92.89. 944,546 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,686,864. The firm has a market cap of $62.82 billion, a PE ratio of 18.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $92.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $96.02. CRH plc has a 12-month low of $71.18 and a 12-month high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were paid a $0.37 dividend. This is a positive change from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.66%.

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.