CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Stake Boosted by AGF Management Ltd.

AGF Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 4,264.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,034,527 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 1,010,825 shares during the period. AGF Management Ltd. owned approximately 0.15% of CRH worth $95,714,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in CRH during the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its position in 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 during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in CRH during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators boosted its position in CRH by 87.7% during the fourth quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Price Performance

NYSE:CRH opened at $93.71 on Tuesday. CRH plc has a 1-year low of $71.18 and a 1-year high of $110.97. The business has a 50 day moving average of $99.09 and a 200 day moving average of $95.94. The company has a market capitalization of $63.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.74, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.37 dividend. 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. CRH’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on CRH shares. Citigroup decreased their target price on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. HSBC started coverage on CRH in a research report on Monday, November 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $116.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on CRH in a research report on Friday, February 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $109.42.

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.