CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Shares Sold by Forsta AP Fonden

Forsta AP Fonden decreased its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 2.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 239,253 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 5,900 shares during the quarter. Forsta AP Fonden’s holdings in CRH were worth $22,136,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators acquired a new stake in CRH in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of CRH by 72.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 297 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Baillie Gifford & Co. increased its position in shares of CRH by 70.7% during the third quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 391 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd acquired a new position in CRH in the 3rd quarter valued at $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on CRH shares. DA Davidson lifted their target price on shares of CRH from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. HSBC started coverage on CRH in a research report on Monday, November 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $116.00 price target for the company. Finally, StockNews.com raised CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $107.75.

CRH Price Performance

NYSE CRH opened at $98.35 on Wednesday. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $69.91 and a 12 month high of $104.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.67, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.31. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $97.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $91.92.

CRH Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd were given a dividend of $0.262 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.4%. CRH’s payout ratio is currently 21.00%.

CRH 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.