Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Has $665.72 Million Stock Holdings in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 12.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,195,372 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 820,479 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 1.06% of CRH worth $665,716,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

CRH Trading Up 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE CRH opened at $90.64 on Thursday. CRH plc has a 1 year low of $71.18 and a 1 year high of $110.97. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $99.17 and its 200-day moving average is $96.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.30 billion, a PE ratio of 18.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a positive change from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s payout ratio is currently 15.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CRH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on 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 objective on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $109.64.

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.