Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) Holdings Boosted by Vanguard Group Inc.

Key Points

• Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Masco Corporation by 3.8%, now owning 27,092,099 shares, which represent 12.84% of the company's total stock.
• Masco reported $1.30 EPS for the last quarter, surpassing analysts' estimates, although its revenue declined by 1.9% year-over-year.
• The firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share, reflecting a 1.8% yield and a payout ratio of 32.89%.

Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 3.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 27,092,099 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 984,403 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 12.84% of Masco worth $1,883,985,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MAS. Wealthquest Corp bought a new position in shares of Masco during the 1st quarter valued at about $111,722,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Masco by 3,597.0% in the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 959,490 shares of the construction company's stock worth $66,723,000 after buying an additional 933,537 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Masco by 11,690.9% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 911,669 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $63,397,000 after purchasing an additional 903,937 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,157,000. Finally, Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter worth $30,678,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Masco Stock Up 3.4%

Shares of MAS traded up $2.34 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $71.24. 3,031,427 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,571,351. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $65.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $67.60. The company has a market cap of $14.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.16. Masco Corporation has a 1-year low of $56.55 and a 1-year high of $86.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.63.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The construction company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm's quarterly revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.20 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Masco Corporation will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.89%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have issued reports on MAS. Robert W. Baird lowered Masco from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $70.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 target price (down from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Masco from $65.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Masco from $62.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Masco from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $74.13.

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.