Sanford C. Bernstein Begins Coverage on CRH (NYSE:CRH)

Equities researchers at Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Tuesday. The brokerage set an "outperform" rating and a $115.00 price target on the construction company's stock. Sanford C. Bernstein's price target suggests a potential upside of 15.32% from the company's previous close.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on CRH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of CRH in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $112.58.

CRH Stock Performance

Shares of CRH stock traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $99.72. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,021,355 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,804,545. The stock has a market cap of $67.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.33. CRH has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $110.97. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $91.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.24.

CRH (NYSE:CRH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.77 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 16.35% and a net margin of 9.86%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that CRH will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of CRH

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its stake in CRH by 214.3% in the fourth 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. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new stake in CRH in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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