Ossiam Decreases Holdings in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Ossiam trimmed its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 19.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,598 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 2,481 shares during the quarter. Ossiam’s holdings in CRH were worth $981,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its holdings in CRH by 7.9% during the fourth 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 lifted its position 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 valued at $3,012,000 after buying an additional 5,889 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in CRH by 10.5% in 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 acquiring an additional 232,977 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC raised its stake in CRH by 31.8% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 23,253 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $2,151,000 after acquiring an additional 5,610 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its holdings in CRH by 19.9% during the fourth 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 purchasing an additional 12,076 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CRH opened at $82.86 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $94.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.57, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is currently 22.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of 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 target price on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Loop Capital began coverage on CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a “buy” rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $112.36.

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.