CRH plc research snapshot

CRH AI Stock Analysis

CRH AI stock analysis reads CRH plc as a high-quality building materials and infrastructure compounder whose record Q2 2026 results, reaffirmed 2026 guidance, and $8.5 billion Arcosa acquisition agreement stand in contrast to a stock price near its 52-week low. At the August 2, 2026 data cutoff, CRH closed at $95.01 on July 31, 2026 with an implied market capitalization of about $63.21 billion. Q2 2026 revenue rose 6% to $10.8 billion, net income rose 13% to $1.5 billion, adjusted EBITDA rose 7% to $2.6 billion, and diluted EPS rose 14% to $2.21, while analysts still hold a Strong Buy consensus with an average target of $140.29. The tension is that the stock trades below its 5-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, with a 14-day RSI near 34, so the CRH AI stock forecast is a scenario framework rather than a certain prediction.

Current price

$95.01

Market cap

$63.21 billion

AI score

66 / 100

Rating

High-quality infrastructure compounder with record Q2 2026 results, a Strong Buy consensus, but price near the 52-week low with bearish short-term momentum

Trend status

Bearish short-term momentum with price below every key moving average and near the 52-week low

Data cutoff (updated monthly)

August 4, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
A-level information richness. CRH has a long public history, SEC filings, a 2025 annual report, the official Q2 2026 results announcement, the Arcosa acquisition press release and earnings call transcript, S&P 500 inclusion, analyst coverage, and third-party valuation and technical data that cross-validate within a narrow range.
bias Check
The main AI research bias risk is over-weighting CRH management language about scale, connected portfolio, and record results while under-weighting that the stock fell to near its 52-week low, that price sits below all key moving averages, that the buyback program is paused for the Arcosa deal, and that net debt, construction cyclicality, weather, public funding timing, and acquisition integration still matter.
ai Confidence
High for Q2 2026 revenue, net income, adjusted EBITDA, diluted EPS, segment results, cash, debt, share count, market-cap math, valuation ratios, and analyst consensus because company filings and third-party data agree closely. Medium for forward ranges because Arcosa close timing, interest rates, construction demand, infrastructure funding, and investor multiples can change quickly.
investment Certainty
Medium. CRH has durable local positions, reserves, scale, a record second quarter, and a strong capital allocation record, but the market price near the 52-week low already reflects some concern about the Arcosa transaction, debt, and cyclical demand, so the margin of safety is moderate rather than exceptional.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityCRH sells aggregates, cementitious materials, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete, paving services, infrastructure products, and outdoor living products that customers need for roads, water, energy, data center, commercial, residential, and reindustrialization projects.High
MoatThe moat comes from local quarry reserves, permitted assets, logistics density, scale purchasing, route proximity, public project relationships, and a connected portfolio across materials, products, and services, reinforced by about 380 million tons of annual aggregates production.Medium-high
ManagementJim Mintern, CEO since January 2025, is running a record quarter with 6% revenue and 7% adjusted EBITDA growth, three divestitures for $1.9 billion, 17 value-accretive acquisitions, and a $8.5 billion agreement to acquire Arcosa that strengthens U.S. aggregates leadership.Medium-high
Financial trendQ2 2026 total revenue rose 6% to $10.8 billion, net income rose 13% to $1.5 billion, adjusted EBITDA rose 7% to $2.6 billion, and diluted EPS rose 14% to $2.21, with management reaffirming 2026 guidance for net income of $3.9 billion to $4.1 billion.High
ValuationAt $95.01, CRH trades near 16.8x trailing earnings, 15.4x forward earnings, 2.6x book value, 22.8x free cash flow, and 1.6x sales, which is a moderate multiple for the quality and growth profile.Medium-high
Technical trendCRH closed near $95.01 on July 31, 2026, below the 5-day $99.40, 20-day $101.98, 50-day $104.88, 100-day $107.23, and 200-day $113.98 moving averages, with a 14-day RSI near 34 and a negative directional index gap that favors sellers.Medium
Risk levelKey risks are the Arcosa transaction closing and integration, a paused buyback, higher debt and interest expense, construction cyclicality, weather, infrastructure funding timing, haulage and input cost inflation, and valuation compression.Medium-high
AI confidenceDescriptive confidence is high because official filings and third-party data align closely. Return confidence is lower because CRH is exposed to the Arcosa deal, macro demand, rates, and investor multiples.High data confidence
Investment certaintyCRH looks like a strong operator with record results and a credible growth plan, but the price action is weak and the acquisition adds execution risk, so certainty is medium rather than high.Medium

CRH AI stock forecast

CRH AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The CRH AI stock forecast uses scenario math around the July 31, 2026 close of $95.01 and the FY2026 adjusted EPS consensus near $5.92. The audited three-year model produced a bullish area near $145.70, a base area near $123.30, and a bearish area near $77.60 before dividends. These are scenario anchors, not exact predictions.

Bullish case

$135 to $158

More likely if infrastructure demand and reindustrialization activity stay strong, data center projects convert into volumes, the Arcosa deal closes in Q1 2027 and delivers its $175 million of year-three synergies, adjusted EBITDA margin keeps expanding, and investors value CRH near a low-20s earnings multiple.

Base case

$112 to $132

More likely if revenue grows at a mid-single-digit to high-single-digit pace, adjusted EPS compounds near 7%, Arcosa closes on schedule without major disruption, and the market holds CRH near a mid-teens multiple.

Bearish case

$70 to $85

More likely if construction volumes weaken, infrastructure funding is delayed, Arcosa integration disappoints or the deal faces problems, net debt keeps rising while the buyback stays paused, margins roll over, or the market re-rates CRH toward a low-teens earnings multiple.

CRH AI technical analysis

CRH AI Technical Analysis

CRH AI technical analysis is bearish as of the August 2, 2026 data cutoff. The stock closed near $95.01 on July 31, 2026, below the 5-day $99.40, 20-day $101.98, 50-day $104.88, 100-day $107.23, and 200-day $113.98 moving averages. StockAnalysis reported a 14-day RSI near 34.40, and Barchart showed a 14-day ADX near 23.59 with -DI near 34.32 well above +DI near 14.48, a bearish momentum profile near the 52-week low of $93.58.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price$95.01StockAnalysis real-time quote at the July 31, 2026 close; market cap math uses 665.28 million shares outstanding.
Immediate support$93.58The 52-week low of $93.58 is the immediate downside reference; a close below it would extend the downtrend.
Near support zone$93 to $97The current price is trading right at the low end of the recent range, so the $93.58 low plus round numbers near $95 to $97 form the first support cluster.
Near resistance$99 to $102The 5-day moving average near $99.40 and the 20-day moving average near $101.98 create the first upside test.
Next resistance$104 to $108The 50-day moving average near $104.88 and the 100-day moving average near $107.23 form the next resistance band.
200-day moving average$113.98StockAnalysis lists the 200-day trend line near $113.98, well above the current price, which keeps the longer-term trend under pressure.
MomentumRSI near 34, ADX favors sellersStockAnalysis reports a 14-day RSI near 34.40, approaching oversold, and Barchart shows -DI near 34.32 above +DI near 14.48 with ADX near 23.59, meaning sellers dominate.
VolumeAbout 3.8 to 4.0 million average sharesStockAnalysis lists 20-day average volume near 3.80 million and Barchart near 3.98 million shares, useful for checking whether any rebound attempt has volume support.
VolatilityElevated, beta near 1.21Barchart reports 14-day historical volatility near 32.7% and StockAnalysis lists beta near 1.21, so position sizing should allow for wider swings than the broad market.
InvalidationClose below $93.58, then stabilization above $105A decisive close below the $93.58 52-week low would confirm more downside. A sustained move back above the 50-day near $104.88 to $105 would be the first sign of a trend stabilization.

CRH AI trading strategy

CRH AI Trading Strategy Framework

The CRH AI trading strategy below is a rules-based research framework, not personal financial advice. It combines Arcosa deal progress, infrastructure demand checks, margin and debt discipline, valuation ranges, and technical invalidation levels.

Trend-following setup

Watch for CRH to reclaim the $99 to $102 resistance zone and then the $104 to $108 band while Q3 data confirms 2026 guidance, Arcosa integration advances toward a Q1 2027 close, and adjusted EBITDA margin holds.

A failed reclaim followed by a close below the $93.58 52-week low should reduce setup confidence because price would confirm a bearish trend below every moving average.

Mean-reversion setup

With the 14-day RSI near 34 and price near the 52-week low, CRH is closer to an oversold condition, but wait for a stabilization pattern or a close back above the 20-day moving average near $102 rather than catching a falling knife.

Do not treat the low price as attractive if the Arcosa deal faces delays, net debt keeps rising while buybacks stay paused, organic volume weakens, or management cuts 2026 guidance.

Fundamental monitor

Track Q2 momentum carryover, adjusted EBITDA margin, Arcosa close and synergy delivery, net debt, free cash flow conversion, buyback restart timing, acquisition spend, dividends, organic volume and price, and public infrastructure funding.

Position sizing should reflect that CRH is a cyclical materials company that is also executing a large acquisition, so capital allocation risk rises while the buyback is paused.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

Customers pay CRH because roads, water systems, data centers, energy projects, and buildings need local materials, permitted reserves, logistics, engineering know-how, and reliable delivery. The business turns hard-to-replicate local assets into recurring infrastructure and construction demand.

Moat

CRH benefits from quarry reserves, permits, route density, local market share, vertical integration, public project relationships, and scale, reinforced by about 380 million tons of annual aggregates production and the pending Arcosa addition.

Munger risk inversion

The thesis fails if the Arcosa deal closes late, overpays, or integrates poorly, if the buyback stays paused while debt rises, if public infrastructure demand slows, if weather disrupts volumes, if pricing weakens, or if investors stop paying a premium for a cyclical materials compounder.

Management

Management delivered a record Q2 2026 with 6% revenue and 7% adjusted EBITDA growth, completed three divestitures for $1.9 billion, and agreed the $8.5 billion Arcosa acquisition. The key test for Jim Mintern is whether CRH can execute the integration and resume returns without breaking the balance sheet.

Industry trend

CRH sits in long-term demand for infrastructure modernization, road repair, water systems, reindustrialization, energy projects, and data center construction. The offset is that construction activity is tied to rates, budgets, weather, and local economic cycles, and new build residential stays subdued.

Valuation and margin of safety

At roughly 16.8x trailing earnings, 15.4x forward earnings, and 22.8x free cash flow, CRH is not distressed. Margin of safety depends on Arcosa execution, sustained EBITDA growth, debt discipline, and evidence that infrastructure demand offsets cyclical weakness.

Source-backed data

CRH Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
CRH quote reference$95.01 at the July 31, 2026 close, after-hours near $95.48StockAnalysis CRH overview pageJuly 31, 2026
Market capitalization verification$63.21 billion calculated from $95.01 x 665.28 million shares with 0.00% deviation, matching StockAnalysis reported market capPineify financial_rigor.py and StockAnalysis CRH statisticsAugust 2, 2026
Shares outstanding665.28 million shares outstanding, 664.25 million float, insiders near 0.13%, institutions near 87.80%StockAnalysis CRH statisticsAugust 2, 2026
Q2 2026 headline results$10.8 billion total revenue up 6%, $1.5 billion net income up 13%, $2.6 billion adjusted EBITDA up 7%, $2.21 diluted EPS up 14%CRH Q2 2026 results announcementJuly 30, 2026
Q2 2026 marginsNet income margin 14.0% up 90bps, adjusted EBITDA margin 24.4% up 30bpsCRH Q2 2026 results announcementJuly 30, 2026
Q2 2026 segment resultsAmericas Materials revenue up 10% and adjusted EBITDA up 12%; Americas Building revenue down 2% and adjusted EBITDA down 8%; International revenue up 5% and adjusted EBITDA up 8%CRH Q2 2026 results announcement appendixJuly 30, 2026
Q2 2026 Americas Materials detailAggregates volume up 2% and price up 5%, cement volume down 2% and price down 1%, asphalt volume up 3% and price up 6%CRH Q2 2026 results announcement appendixJuly 30, 2026
H1 2026 results$18.147 billion total revenue, $1.331 billion net income, $3.213 billion adjusted EBITDA, $1.93 diluted EPSCRH Q2 2026 results announcement condensed income statementJuly 30, 2026
FY2026 guidanceReaffirmed net income of $3.9 billion to $4.1 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $8.1 billion to $8.5 billion, diluted EPS of $5.60 to $6.05, and capital expenditure of $2.7 billion to $2.9 billionCRH Q2 2026 results announcementJuly 30, 2026
Balance sheet, June 30, 2026$3.025 billion cash, $17.926 billion total debt, and $15.416 billion net debt per the company net debt reconciliationCRH Q2 2026 results announcement balance sheet and net debt reconciliationJuly 30, 2026
H1 2026 cash flowOperating cash flow of $513 million, capital expenditures of $1.240 billion, and $0.607 billion in share repurchasesCRH Q2 2026 results announcement cash flow statementJuly 30, 2026
Arcosa acquisition$8.5 billion enterprise value all-cash at $150 per share, announced June 22, 2026, expected to close in Q1 2027, with about $175 million of run-rate synergies by year threeCRH Arcosa acquisition announcement and Q2 2026 callJuly 30, 2026
Buyback pauseThe latest buyback tranche completed July 28, 2026, bringing year-to-date repurchases to $0.7 billion; no new tranche has been initiated because of the Arcosa agreementCRH Q2 2026 results announcementJuly 30, 2026
DividendQuarterly dividend of $0.39 per share up 5%, ex-dividend date August 14, 2026, annual yield near 1.64%, payout ratio near 21.5%CRH Q2 2026 results announcement and StockAnalysis dividend pageAugust 2, 2026
Valuation ratiosTrailing P/E 16.75, forward P/E 15.36, P/S 1.64, P/B 2.63, P/FCF 22.85, EV/EBITDA 10.21StockAnalysis CRH statisticsAugust 2, 2026
Analyst consensusStrong Buy from 21 to 22 analysts with an average target of $140.29, low of $105, median of $142.50, and high of $165StockAnalysis CRH forecastJuly 31, 2026
Recent analyst target movesStephens $135 to $125, Truist $130, Barclays $131, Wells Fargo $135 to $132, Citi $146 to $138, Jefferies $149 to $165.60StockAnalysis CRH forecast latest forecastsJuly 31, 2026
FY2026 and FY2027 consensus estimatesFY2026 revenue $39.69 billion with adjusted EPS $5.92, FY2027 revenue $42.06 billion with adjusted EPS $6.69StockAnalysis CRH forecast financial forecastJuly 31, 2026
Technical snapshot5-day MA $99.40, 20-day MA $101.98, 50-day MA $104.88, 100-day MA $107.23, 200-day MA $113.98, 14-day RSI near 34.40StockAnalysis CRH statistics and Barchart technical analysisJuly 31, 2026
Short interest13.95 million shares short, 2.37% of shares outstanding, about 2.97 days to coverStockAnalysis CRH statisticsAugust 2, 2026
52-week range$93.58 to $131.55, with price down about 23.87% year to dateStockAnalysis CRH statisticsAugust 2, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This CRH AI stock analysis is an informational research tool only and is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a promise of future returns. Forecast ranges are scenarios based on available public data as of August 2, 2026 and can be wrong if the Arcosa transaction, fundamentals, market prices, interest rates, construction demand, or investor sentiment change.