CRH (NYSE:CRH) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Time to Buy?

CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday . Approximately 10,252,415 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 109% from the previous session’s volume of 4,896,726 shares.The stock last traded at $94.58 and had previously closed at $97.59.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CRH has been the topic of a number of research reports. Citigroup reduced their price objective on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com raised CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of CRH from $118.00 to $114.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $120.00 price target on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday, February 28th. One equities 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 company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, CRH has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $109.25.

CRH Stock Down 2.7 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $99.75 and a 200 day moving average of $96.27. The firm has a market cap of $64.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30.

CRH Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given 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 payout ratio is presently 15.51%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CRH

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRH in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in CRH in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of CRH during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its position in shares of CRH by 214.3% during 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. bought a new position in shares of CRH in the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.