Royal Bank of Canada Buys 67,191 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 10.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 717,907 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 67,191 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada owned 0.33% of Masco worth $52,097,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Masco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Masco during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Masco during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. GeoWealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 89.0% during 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. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its holdings in Masco by 26.7% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company's stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on MAS. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $71.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Masco from $74.00 to $62.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 price target (down previously from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Ten investment 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. According to MarketBeat, Masco currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $73.63.

Masco Stock Up 1.9%

MAS stock traded up $1.18 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $62.97. The stock had a trading volume of 272,687 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,796,307. Masco Co. has a one year low of $56.55 and a one year high of $86.70. The company's 50 day moving average is $63.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.09. The company has a market capitalization of $13.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74.

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

Masco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.88%.

Insider Activity

In other Masco news, 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 value of $1,658,768.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the business's 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 owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

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.