CRH Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:CRH)

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) was the target of some unusual options trading on Tuesday. Investors purchased 22,193 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 539% compared to the typical volume of 3,474 call options.

Institutional Trading of CRH

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CRH. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 17.0% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 914 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 133 shares during the period. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,748 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $329,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. raised its stake in CRH by 71.5% in the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 415 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in CRH by 30.5% during the fourth 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 period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in CRH by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 975 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Trading Up 1.8 %

CRH stock opened at $73.35 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $78.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.31. CRH has a 52 week low of $51.59 and a 52 week high of $88.00.

CRH (NYSE:CRH) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 10th. The construction company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.06) by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.60 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that CRH will post 5.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 23rd. This is an increase from CRH’s previous Variable dividend of $0.23.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on CRH shares. Stephens started coverage on CRH in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded CRH from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Vertical Research assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $105.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $82.00 price target (up from $80.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Monday, April 15th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $93.11.

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.