O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC Has $28.42 Million Stock Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 13.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 308,286 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 37,657 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC’s holdings in CRH were worth $28,415,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of CRH. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in CRH during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in CRH by 214.3% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators grew its position in CRH by 87.7% in the fourth quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares during the period. Finally, Spire Wealth Management acquired a new position in CRH during the fourth quarter worth $57,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Trading Down 4.4 %

Shares of CRH stock opened at $88.09 on Friday. CRH plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $99.77 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.68. The company has a market capitalization of $59.57 billion, a PE ratio of 17.62, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.68%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s payout ratio is 15.51%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

About CRH

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.