Boston Partners Cuts Stock Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Boston Partners lessened its holdings in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 2.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,329,005 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 220,098 shares during the period. CRH comprises approximately 0.9% of Boston Partners’ holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Boston Partners’ holdings in CRH were worth $773,228,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CRH. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in CRH by 29.2% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,598 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $148,000 after buying an additional 361 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in CRH by 6,859.4% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 191,105 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $17,723,000 after acquiring an additional 188,359 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in CRH by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 24,510 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,273,000 after acquiring an additional 1,274 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in CRH by 397.9% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 52,932 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $4,909,000 after acquiring an additional 42,302 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in CRH by 11.9% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 307,186 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,488,000 after acquiring an additional 32,564 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

CRH Stock Up 0.4 %

CRH stock opened at $97.40 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $99.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $96.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.48, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 52-week low of $71.18 and a 52-week high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. This is a positive change from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. CRH’s payout ratio is presently 15.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CRH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased 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. StockNews.com raised shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $109.25.

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.