Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) Shares Sold by Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH reduced its stake in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 28.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 252,422 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 98,493 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.12% of Masco worth $17,553,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Masco by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,129,771 shares of the construction company's stock worth $371,265,000 after purchasing an additional 58,739 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Masco by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,900,643 shares of the construction company's stock worth $283,070,000 after purchasing an additional 337,164 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Masco by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,821,629 shares of the construction company's stock worth $204,766,000 after purchasing an additional 360,931 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of Masco by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,762,250 shares of the construction company's stock worth $200,456,000 after purchasing an additional 305,156 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of Masco by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,463,217 shares of the construction company's stock worth $178,756,000 after purchasing an additional 142,318 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAS has been the subject of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Robert W. Baird cut shares of Masco from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $70.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Masco from $71.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Masco from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 21st. 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. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Masco currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.03.

Masco Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:MAS traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $67.86. The company's stock had a trading volume of 317,659 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,079,732. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.31 billion, a PE ratio of 18.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.19. Masco Corporation has a twelve month low of $56.55 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $64.30 and a 200 day moving average of $68.23.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Masco's payout ratio is currently 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.