AlphaQuest LLC Acquires 13,838 Shares of Masco Corporation $MAS

Key Points

• AlphaQuest LLC increased its holdings in Masco Corporation by 58.3%, now owning 37,558 shares valued at approximately $2.61 million.
• Masco reported earnings of $1.30 EPS for the last quarter, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.08, although revenue decreased by 1.9% year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share, representing an annualized dividend of $1.24 and a yield of 1.7%.

AlphaQuest LLC lifted its holdings in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 58.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 37,558 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 13,838 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in Masco were worth $2,612,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MAS. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the first quarter valued at about $126,057,000. Wealthquest Corp acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the first quarter valued at about $111,722,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in Masco by 47.4% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,159,518 shares of the construction company's stock worth $289,253,000 after purchasing an additional 1,337,889 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Masco by 3.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,092,099 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,883,985,000 after purchasing an additional 984,403 shares during the period. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Masco by 3,597.0% during the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 959,490 shares of the construction company's stock worth $66,723,000 after purchasing an additional 933,537 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Masco Trading Up 4.5%

Shares of NYSE:MAS traded up $3.25 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $75.57. 2,447,920 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,653,374. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.63, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.82. The business's 50-day moving average price is $67.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.21. Masco Corporation has a 12 month low of $56.55 and a 12 month high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The construction company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 1,519.31% and a net margin of 10.51%.The business's quarterly revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.20 earnings per share. Masco has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.900-4.100 EPS. Analysts predict that Masco Corporation will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 25th. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. Masco's payout ratio is currently 32.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MAS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $65.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Oppenheimer set a $79.00 price objective on shares of Masco and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Loop Capital reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $73.00 price objective (up previously from $62.00) on shares of Masco in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Barclays boosted their target price on Masco from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Baird R W cut shares of Masco from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.13.

Insider Activity at Masco

In related news, CAO Heath M. Eisman sold 2,431 shares of Masco stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.62, for a total value of $181,401.22. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 12,036 shares of the company's stock, valued at $898,126.32. The trade was a 16.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.