Neuberger Berman Group LLC Sells 41,970 Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Neuberger Berman Group LLC lowered its position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,878,157 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 41,970 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC owned 0.28% of CRH worth $173,781,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its position in CRH by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 2,335 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $216,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,810 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $630,000 after buying an additional 129 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in CRH by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,367 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $405,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its position in shares of CRH by 18.3% during the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 971 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Shelton Capital Management grew its position in CRH by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Shelton Capital Management now owns 14,475 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,339,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

CRH Trading Up 10.9 %

Shares of CRH stock opened at $89.11 on Thursday. CRH plc has a 1 year low of $71.18 and a 1 year high of $110.97. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $96.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This is an increase 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.66%. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is 22.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on CRH. Loop Capital initiated coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $114.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Citigroup reduced 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. StockNews.com upgraded shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 target price on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $110.00.

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.