MJP Associates Inc. ADV Makes New Investment in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

MJP Associates Inc. ADV purchased a new stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 4,110 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $298,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its position in Masco by 89.0% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 684 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in Masco by 26.7% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MAS shares. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $80.00 target price (down from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Loop Capital set a $62.00 target price on Masco and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $73.63.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total value of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $1,658,768.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Masco Price Performance

NYSE MAS traded up $0.46 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $67.68. The company had a trading volume of 1,391,791 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,789,711. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $56.55 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $73.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.00, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.23.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.92 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. The business's revenue was down 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.93 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.88%.

Masco Company 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.