42,853 Shares in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Bought by Gallo Partners LP

Gallo Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 42,853 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $3,965,000. CRH comprises approximately 2.9% of Gallo Partners LP's holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest position.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,391,245,000. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in CRH by 13.0% in the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 40,843,362 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,781,004,000 after purchasing an additional 4,687,345 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in CRH by 17.0% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,788,918 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,553,194,000 after purchasing an additional 2,437,868 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 173.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,722,786 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $159,392,000 after buying an additional 1,092,630 shares during the period. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 4,264.7% during the 4th quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 1,034,527 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $95,714,000 after buying an additional 1,010,825 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Loop Capital began coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price target for the company. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, CRH has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $112.36.

CRH Trading Up 2.3 %

CRH stock traded up $2.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $98.51. The stock had a trading volume of 4,690,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,742,600. CRH plc has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $110.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The firm's 50 day moving average is $92.03 and its 200 day moving average is $96.07.

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 was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. CRH's dividend payout ratio is 22.66%.

CRH 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.