Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Shares Sold by Earnest Partners LLC

Earnest Partners LLC lessened its stake in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 0.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,309,682 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 12,503 shares during the quarter. Earnest Partners LLC owned about 1.07% of Masco worth $167,614,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Masco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Masco by 89.0% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 684 shares of the construction company's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Masco Stock Performance

NYSE MAS traded up $0.14 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $60.60. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,164,739 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,736,085. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $67.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $74.62. The company has a market cap of $12.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a 12 month low of $56.55 and a 12 month high of $86.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.15.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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). Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. The company had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.93 earnings per share. The company's revenue was down 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.05%. This is a boost from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. Masco's dividend payout ratio is 33.88%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Masco from $82.00 to $65.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Masco from $92.00 to $75.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Barclays set a $71.00 price target on Masco and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $73.10.

Insider Transactions at Masco

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of Masco stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 33,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $1,658,768.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

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.