Nomura Holdings Inc. Purchases 16,722 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Nomura Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 47.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 51,861 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 16,722 shares during the period. Nomura Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Masco were worth $3,764,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in 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 stake 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. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in shares of Masco by 10.2% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,250,400 shares of the construction company's stock worth $235,881,000 after purchasing an additional 299,520 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake 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. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its stake 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. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of Masco stock traded down $0.92 on Monday, hitting $66.74. 1,296,668 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,791,048. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $56.55 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $64.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.81.

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 company had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.93 EPS. Research analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.88%.

Insider Activity at Masco

In related news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on 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 directly owns 33,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. This trade represents a 8.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MAS has been the topic of several recent research reports. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $75.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (down previously from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Masco in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $71.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $73.63.

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.