Banco Santander S.A. Invests $984,000 in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Banco Santander S.A. purchased a new stake in CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 10,634 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $984,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in CRH by 10.3% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,172 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in shares of CRH by 40.7% in the third quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 52,157 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $4,837,000 after purchasing an additional 15,094 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in CRH by 9.9% in the third quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,850 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $543,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the period. Graypoint LLC bought a new position in CRH during the 3rd quarter worth $292,000. Finally, CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new position in CRH during the 3rd quarter worth about $498,000. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CRH Trading Down 1.5 %

NYSE CRH opened at $97.34 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $66.11 billion, a PE ratio of 19.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.30. CRH plc has a 1-year low of $71.18 and a 1-year high of $110.97. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $99.06 and a 200-day moving average of $95.90.

CRH Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from CRH’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. CRH’s payout ratio is currently 20.87%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of CRH to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. StockNews.com raised CRH from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Citigroup dropped their price target on CRH from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of CRH from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on shares of CRH in a research note on Monday, November 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $116.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $108.45.

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.