Diversified Trust Co Trims Position in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Diversified Trust Co reduced its position in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 36.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,313 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 7,106 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Co’s holdings in CRH were worth $1,139,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of CRH by 336.4% during the 2nd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 336 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the period. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators purchased a new stake in CRH in the third quarter valued at $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of CRH by 72.7% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 297 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of CRH during the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Baillie Gifford & Co. increased its position in shares of CRH by 70.7% during the 3rd quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 391 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Stock Performance

CRH stock opened at $92.37 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $97.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $89.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.47, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.31. CRH plc has a fifty-two week low of $66.42 and a fifty-two week high of $104.23.

CRH Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 22nd were given a $0.262 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. CRH’s dividend payout ratio is presently 21.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on CRH shares. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded CRH to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CRH currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $107.75.

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.