Benson Investment Management Company Inc. Sells 400 Shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)

Benson Investment Management Company Inc. decreased its stake in shares of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH) by 0.6% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 65,213 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 400 shares during the period. CRH comprises about 2.5% of Benson Investment Management Company Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Benson Investment Management Company Inc.’s holdings in CRH were worth $6,034,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC raised its holdings in shares of CRH by 33.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 36,156,017 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $3,341,258,000 after acquiring an additional 9,055,354 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in CRH by 8.7% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 14,351,050 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,329,796,000 after purchasing an additional 1,148,708 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in CRH by 4.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,139,233 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,218,532,000 after purchasing an additional 618,786 shares in the last quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. lifted its position in CRH by 0.3% during the third quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. now owns 11,155,273 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,034,540,000 after purchasing an additional 35,209 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of CRH by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,985,356 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $738,113,000 after buying an additional 165,825 shares during the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of CRH opened at $91.69 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.34, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.31. CRH plc has a 1-year low of $66.42 and a 1-year high of $104.23. The company has a 50-day moving average of $97.70 and a 200 day moving average of $90.15.

CRH Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.262 per share. 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 Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on CRH shares. Hsbc Global Res upgraded CRH to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Barclays assumed coverage on CRH in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $110.00 target price for the company. HSBC initiated coverage on CRH in a report on Monday, November 11th. They set a “buy” rating and a $116.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of CRH from $114.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their target price on shares of CRH from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $107.75.

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.