Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations Makes New $5.27 Million Investment in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations purchased a new stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 57,001 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,274,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its position in CRH by 40.1% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 5,508 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $511,000 after buying an additional 1,577 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in CRH in the third quarter valued at about $405,000. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in CRH by 206.7% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 118,367 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $10,977,000 after purchasing an additional 79,773 shares during the period. Swedbank AB raised its holdings in CRH by 68.7% during the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 170,442 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $15,807,000 after purchasing an additional 69,418 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in CRH by 1,814.9% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,666 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $155,000 after purchasing an additional 1,579 shares during the period. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

CRH Stock Performance

NYSE:CRH opened at $94.63 on Thursday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $100.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.61. The company has a market cap of $64.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 52-week low of $71.18 and a 52-week high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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. This is a positive change from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. CRH’s payout ratio is 15.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on CRH shares. StockNews.com raised shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Citigroup lowered their price target on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $109.64.

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.