Clarius Group LLC Makes New Investment in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS)

Clarius Group LLC purchased a new stake in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 5,498 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $382,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MAS. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Masco by 5,050.0% in the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,300 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $747,000 after purchasing an additional 10,100 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of Masco by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 11,337 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $823,000 after purchasing an additional 1,931 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Masco by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 21,497 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,560,000 after purchasing an additional 442 shares during the period. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co grew its position in shares of Masco by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 24,565 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,783,000 after purchasing an additional 5,001 shares during the period. Finally, Stevens Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of Masco by 107.9% in the 4th quarter. Stevens Capital Management LP now owns 10,585 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $768,000 after purchasing an additional 5,494 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Masco Stock Performance

MAS traded up $1.83 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $63.02. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,147,021 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,836,999. Masco Corporation has a 52 week low of $56.55 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The company's 50-day moving average is $62.65 and its 200-day moving average is $69.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market cap of $13.29 billion, a PE ratio of 17.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.20.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.92 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 1,320.76% and a net margin of 10.30%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.93 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Masco Corporation will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 23rd. Masco's payout ratio is 33.88%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MAS. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on Masco from $74.00 to $62.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $71.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Loop Capital set a $62.00 price target on Masco and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Wall Street Zen raised Masco from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Masco in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $73.63.

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.