Cevian Capital II GP LTD Has $659.32 Million Stock Holdings in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Cevian Capital II GP LTD decreased its holdings in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 46.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,126,229 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 6,230,384 shares during the quarter. CRH makes up 25.6% of Cevian Capital II GP LTD’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Cevian Capital II GP LTD owned approximately 1.05% of CRH worth $659,319,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of CRH. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of CRH by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,562,962 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $144,605,000 after purchasing an additional 114,072 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CRH by 22.1% during the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 32,557 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $3,012,000 after buying an additional 5,889 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of CRH by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,450,632 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $226,732,000 after buying an additional 232,977 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of CRH by 31.8% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 23,253 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,151,000 after buying an additional 5,610 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in shares of CRH by 19.9% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 72,778 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $6,733,000 after acquiring an additional 12,076 shares during the period. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Stock Performance

NYSE CRH opened at $92.62 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $62.64 billion, a PE ratio of 18.52, a price-to-earnings-growth 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. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $92.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $95.94.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. This is a positive change from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is 22.66%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on CRH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research 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 lowered 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 set a “buy” rating and a $114.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $112.36.

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.