Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund Makes New $1.76 Million Investment in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH)

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund bought a new position in shares of Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 19,981 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,758,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in CRH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its holdings in CRH by 214.3% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CRH opened at $88.11 on Monday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $92.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.89. Crh Plc has a 12 month low of $71.18 and a 12 month high of $110.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.28.

CRH (NYSE:CRH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The construction company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.06). CRH had a return on equity of 15.88% and a net margin of 9.17%. The company had revenue of $6.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.77 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.52%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on CRH. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of CRH from $127.00 to $108.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Loop Capital began coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $115.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $114.18.

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.