MQS Management LLC Trims Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

MQS Management LLC decreased its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 56.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,971 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 6,507 shares during the quarter. MQS Management LLC’s holdings in Masco were worth $392,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MAS. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Masco during the 1st quarter worth $43,000. Finally, Union Savings Bank grew its stake in Masco by 91.7% in the 4th quarter. Union Savings Bank now owns 575 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Masco Trading Up 7.5 %

Shares of MAS stock traded up $5.30 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $75.88. 3,677,245 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,969,930. Masco Co. has a 1 year low of $47.66 and a 1 year high of $78.94. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $68.64 and a 200 day moving average of $71.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.76. The firm has a market cap of $16.71 billion, a PE ratio of 18.60, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.24.

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

Masco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 2nd will be issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 2nd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.53%. Masco’s payout ratio is 28.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $87.00 to $79.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 12th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.69.

About Masco

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.