Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co Invests $434,000 in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co acquired a new position in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,690 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $434,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in CRH during the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its holdings in CRH by 214.3% in the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 87.7% during the fourth quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of CRH by 46.3% in the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 559 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares during the period. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Price Performance

CRH stock opened at $98.51 on Friday. 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 stock has a fifty day moving average price of $92.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $96.07. CRH plc has a 52-week low of $71.18 and a 52-week high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were given a dividend of $0.37 per share. 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%. This is a boost from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.

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