V Square Quantitative Management LLC Invests $99,000 in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,430 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $99,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,748 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $329,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 30.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 783 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 975 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 14.3% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orion Capital Management LLC lifted its position in CRH by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC now owns 400 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Stock Performance

Shares of CRH stock opened at $78.72 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $79.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $76.56. CRH plc has a 52 week low of $51.59 and a 52 week high of $88.00.

CRH (NYSE:CRH) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 10th. The construction company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.60 billion. Research analysts predict that CRH plc will post 5.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CRH Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CRH has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage on CRH in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $110.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded CRH from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $82.00 target price (up from $80.00) on shares of CRH in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on CRH from $89.70 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Vertical Research initiated coverage on CRH in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $105.00 target price on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, CRH has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $92.88.

CRH 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.