Tower Research Capital LLC TRC Buys 17,228 Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH - Free Report) by 2,029.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,077 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 17,228 shares during the quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in CRH were worth $1,672,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CRH. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its position in CRH by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 380,840 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $35,236,000 after buying an additional 25,430 shares during the last quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLP bought a new stake in shares of CRH in the fourth quarter worth $1,422,000. MML Investors Services LLC lifted its position in shares of CRH by 14.9% in the fourth quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 40,635 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,760,000 after purchasing an additional 5,277 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its position in CRH by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,839,561 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $262,714,000 after purchasing an additional 17,918 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in CRH by 92.1% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,830,255 shares of the construction company's stock worth $169,334,000 after acquiring an additional 877,386 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the company's stock.

CRH Price Performance

CRH traded down $0.20 on Tuesday, hitting $92.84. 972,229 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,689,288. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.56, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The business has a 50-day moving average of $92.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.03.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. This is a positive change from CRH's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. CRH's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CRH shares. Citigroup dropped their target price 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. Loop Capital started coverage on CRH in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $114.00 price target on the stock. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on shares of CRH in a research report on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $112.36.

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.