Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC Raises Stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC boosted its position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 506.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 50,521 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 42,193 shares during the quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC’s holdings in CRH were worth $4,674,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of CRH. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators boosted its stake in CRH by 87.7% in the fourth quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 505 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management purchased a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter worth approximately $57,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in CRH by 111.4% in the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 668 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.50% of the company’s stock.

CRH Stock Down 2.9 %

Shares of CRH stock opened at $94.79 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $64.16 billion, a PE ratio of 18.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50 day moving average of $99.81 and a 200 day moving average of $96.30. CRH plc has a 52 week low of $71.18 and a 52 week high of $110.97.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is currently 15.51%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CRH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup lowered their price objective on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on CRH in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $109.25.

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.