CRH (NYSE:CRH) Shares Gap Down – Time to Sell?

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)’s share price gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $97.51, but opened at $92.40. CRH shares last traded at $92.91, with a volume of 2,821,778 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on CRH. Hsbc Global Res upgraded CRH to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price objective on shares of CRH in a report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. StockNews.com upgraded CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $109.42.

CRH Stock Down 3.9 %

The firm has a market cap of $63.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. The business’s 50 day moving average is $99.06 and its 200-day moving average is $95.90.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a $0.37 dividend. This is an increase from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. CRH’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.87%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CRH

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in CRH during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its holdings in CRH by 214.3% in the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 352 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of CRH during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 62.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.