Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS)

Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. raised its holdings in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 166.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 40,000 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 25,000 shares during the quarter. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc.'s holdings in Masco were worth $2,782,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Keybank National Association OH lifted its stake in Masco by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 4,165 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. VELA Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. VELA Investment Management LLC now owns 7,914 shares of the construction company's stock worth $574,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its position in shares of Masco by 8.2% in the first quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 2,707 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $188,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp lifted its stake in Masco by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 12,065 shares of the construction company's stock worth $876,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wedmont Private Capital increased its stake in shares of Masco by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 4,472 shares of the construction company's stock worth $311,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $71.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Masco in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Barclays set a $71.00 target price on shares of Masco and gave the company an "overweight" rating 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 issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $73.63.

Masco Stock Up 4.3%

NYSE:MAS traded up $2.75 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $67.11. The stock had a trading volume of 3,292,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,842,770. Masco Corporation has a twelve month low of $56.55 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $69.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The company has a market capitalization of $14.16 billion, a PE ratio of 18.34, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.20.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) 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 analysts' expectations of $1.84 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 1,320.76% and a net margin of 10.30%. Masco's revenue for the quarter was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.93 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Masco Corporation will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.85%. Masco's dividend payout ratio is currently 33.88%.

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.