D.B. Root & Company LLC Cuts Stock Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

D.B. Root & Company LLC trimmed its stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 43.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,382 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 5,602 shares during the period. D.B. Root & Company LLC’s holdings in Masco were worth $494,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. DecisionPoint Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its position in Masco by 270.6% during the third quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 667 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Masco Price Performance

MAS stock opened at $77.10 on Monday. Masco Co. has a 12 month low of $46.69 and a 12 month high of $78.85. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $72.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $63.44. The stock has a market cap of $16.94 billion, a PE ratio of 19.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.05.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The construction company reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.17. Masco had a return on equity of 3,111.50% and a net margin of 11.40%. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.79 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.65 EPS. Masco’s quarterly revenue was down 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.50%. This is an increase from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. Masco’s payout ratio is 28.93%.

Insider Activity at Masco

In related news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of Masco stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $2,703,076.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 58,885 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,395,765.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $2,703,076.50. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 58,885 shares in the company, valued at $4,395,765.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Jai Shah sold 42,552 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $3,249,270.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 15,830 shares in the company, valued at $1,208,778.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 83,762 shares of company stock valued at $6,337,597 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Masco in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $70.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com raised Masco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Masco from $73.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Barclays increased their target price on Masco from $63.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Masco from $66.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $68.92.

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.