CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Sold by Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC

Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC reduced its stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 15.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 80,290 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 14,957 shares during the period. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC’s holdings in CRH were worth $7,428,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its position in CRH by 40.1% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 5,508 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $511,000 after acquiring an additional 1,577 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the third quarter worth about $405,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in CRH in the third quarter valued at approximately $501,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its holdings in CRH by 32.4% in the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 8,762 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $813,000 after buying an additional 2,144 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP raised its position in CRH by 325.8% during the 3rd quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 24,181 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,243,000 after buying an additional 18,502 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Citigroup cut their price target 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 report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $109.64.

CRH Price Performance

CRH stock opened at $88.09 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.57 billion, a PE ratio of 17.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $99.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $96.68. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.68%. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is currently 15.51%.

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.