CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eight brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $92.88.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of CRH from $101.00 to $106.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 5th. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $110.00 target price on the stock. Vertical Research began coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, March 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $105.00 price target for the company. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on CRH from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Finally, StockNews.com cut CRH from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th.

CRH Trading Down 3.4 %

Shares of CRH opened at $76.55 on Monday. CRH has a fifty-two week low of $51.16 and a fifty-two week high of $88.00. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $80.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $76.45.

CRH (NYSE:CRH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 10th. The construction company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.06) by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.60 billion. Equities research analysts predict that CRH will post 5.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CRH Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 24th will be given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from CRH’s previous Variable dividend of $0.23.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CRH

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Financial Corp IN acquired a new position in shares of CRH in the first quarter worth $26,000. Orion Capital Management LLC increased its position in CRH by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC now owns 400 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. raised its stake in CRH by 71.5% in the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 415 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new position in CRH in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new stake in shares of CRH during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

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.