Acadian Asset Management LLC Increases Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 6.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,095,244 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 70,288 shares during the quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC owned 0.50% of Masco worth $86,379,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAS. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in Masco by 62.4% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 354 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Masco by 70.1% during the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 432 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Union Savings Bank grew its stake in Masco by 91.7% during the 4th quarter. Union Savings Bank now owns 575 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in Masco by 4,545.5% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Masco Price Performance

NYSE MAS traded down $0.71 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $72.73. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 4,060,237 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,002,763. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a 1-year low of $47.66 and a 1-year high of $78.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.76, a current ratio of 1.74 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The company’s 50-day moving average is $68.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.04.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The construction company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.06. Masco had a return on equity of 865.37% and a net margin of 11.60%. The company had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.87 EPS. Masco’s quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.08 EPS for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.59%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on MAS. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. StockNews.com downgraded Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Loop Capital dropped their price target on Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Masco from $87.00 to $79.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $72.69.

Masco Profile

Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products.