Critical Survey: CRH (CRH) vs. Its Rivals

CRH (NYSE:CRH) is one of 38 public companies in the “BLDG&CONST – MISC” industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare CRH to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, profitability, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Volatility and Risk

CRH has a beta of 1.28, indicating that its share price is 28% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CRH’s peers have a beta of 0.99, indicating that their average share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares CRH and its peers’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
CRH	9.17%	15.88%	6.95%
CRH Competitors	-11.01%	65.74%	4.94%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares CRH and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
CRH	$35.57 billion	$3.46 billion	18.79
CRH Competitors	$6.91 billion	$580.08 million	22.95

CRH has higher revenue and earnings than its peers. CRH is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for CRH and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
CRH	0	1	10	1	3.00
CRH Competitors	242	1410	2267	108	2.56

CRH currently has a consensus price target of $114.18, suggesting a potential upside of 28.71%. As a group, “BLDG&CONST – MISC” companies have a potential upside of 13.11%. Given CRH’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe CRH is more favorable than its peers.

Dividends

CRH pays an annual dividend of $1.11 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. CRH pays out 23.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, “BLDG&CONST – MISC” companies pay a dividend yield of 1.0% and pay out 21.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

62.5% of CRH shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.0% of shares of all “BLDG&CONST – MISC” companies are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of CRH shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of shares of all “BLDG&CONST – MISC” companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

CRH beats its peers on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

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. It also manufactures, supplies, and delivers solutions for the built environment in communities across North America; and offers building and infrastructure solutions serving complex critical utility infrastructure, such as water, energy, transportation, and telecommunications projects, and outdoor living solutions for enhancing private and public spaces. In addition, the company combines materials, products, and services to produce a wide range of architectural and infrastructural solutions for use in the building and renovation of critical utility infrastructure, commercial and residential buildings, and outdoor living spaces for the built environment. Further, it produces and supplies precast and pre-stressed concrete products comprising floor and wall elements, beams, vaults, pipes, and manholes; granite, limestone, and sandstone; concrete and polymer-based products, such as underground vaults, drainage systems, utility enclosures, and modular precast structures; engineered steel, polymer-based anchoring, fixing, and connecting solutions; concrete masonry, hardscape and related products, including pavers, blocks and curbs, retaining walls, and slabs; and fencing and railing systems, composite decking, lawn and garden products, and packaged concrete mixes. The company was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.