Short Interest in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Rises By 80.7%

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,500,000 shares, a growth of 80.7% from the March 15th total of 4,150,000 shares. Currently, 1.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,680,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.0 days.

CRH Stock Down 1.2 %

CRH traded down $1.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $82.44. The stock had a trading volume of 3,517,505 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,780,982. CRH has a 1 year low of $47.14 and a 1 year high of $88.00. The business has a fifty day moving average of $81.47 and a 200 day moving average of $69.28.

CRH Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.262 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th.

Institutional Trading of CRH

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 17.0% during the first quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 914 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,748 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $329,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 71.5% during the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 415 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 30.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 783 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the period. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 15.3% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,384 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on CRH shares. DA Davidson started coverage on CRH in a report on Friday, January 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $82.00 price objective for the company. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on CRH from $81.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on CRH from $101.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 5th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on CRH from $89.70 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Vertical Research initiated coverage on CRH in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $78.93.

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.