V Square Quantitative Management LLC Trims Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

V Square Quantitative Management LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 43.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,727 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 2,902 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC’s holdings in Masco were worth $248,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Masco by 12,355.4% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 15,071 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,009,000 after acquiring an additional 14,950 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Masco by 91.4% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 61,313 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $4,107,000 after acquiring an additional 29,285 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Masco by 150.5% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 177,727 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $11,904,000 after acquiring an additional 106,767 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter worth $206,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter worth $911,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of Masco stock traded up $1.17 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $75.39. 684,698 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,956,531. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $47.66 and a twelve month high of $79.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $71.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.18.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.02. Masco had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 602.39%. The company had revenue of $2.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.10 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.19 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.1 EPS for the current year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 2nd will be given a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 2nd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio is presently 28.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MAS. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Masco from $73.00 to $66.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Loop Capital cut their price target on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $77.58.

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.