Moran Wealth Management LLC Invests $206,000 in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Moran Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 2,225 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $206,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its stake in shares of CRH by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 2,335 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $216,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its stake in shares of CRH by 18.3% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 971 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Manitou Investment Management Ltd. increased its stake in shares of CRH by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Manitou Investment Management Ltd. now owns 11,203 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,037,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co. raised 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 acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Graypoint LLC lifted its stake in shares of CRH by 5.4% during the fourth quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 3,315 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $307,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

CRH Stock Up 4.0 %

CRH opened at $98.46 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $66.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.69, a P/E/G 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 company has a fifty day simple moving average of $99.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $95.99.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.37 dividend. This is an increase from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is 20.87%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $109.25.

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.