Symmetry Investments LP Takes $13.24 Million Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Symmetry Investments LP bought a new position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 143,114 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $13,241,000. CRH comprises 0.7% of Symmetry Investments LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest position.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at about $1,391,245,000. FMR LLC grew its stake 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 period. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 2,437,868 shares in the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. boosted 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 in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI increased its stake in shares of CRH by 32,560.1% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 951,714 shares of the construction company's stock worth $88,053,000 after acquiring an additional 948,800 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on CRH. StockNews.com raised CRH from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. 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 report on Tuesday, March 11th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Loop Capital started coverage on CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price objective for the company. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $112.36.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of CRH stock traded up $0.20 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $92.64. The stock had a trading volume of 2,001,913 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,690,862. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $92.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $96.02. CRH plc has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $110.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.53, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH's payout ratio is currently 22.66%.

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.