Nuveen Asset Management LLC Acquires 4,247 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Nuveen Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 0.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,739,353 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,247 shares during the quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC owned about 0.81% of Masco worth $126,225,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MAS. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Masco by 6.6% in the 4th quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 219,120 shares of the construction company's stock worth $17,135,000 after acquiring an additional 13,568 shares during the period. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Masco by 5,050.0% in the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,300 shares of the construction company's stock worth $747,000 after acquiring an additional 10,100 shares during the period. Empower Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in Masco by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,016,079 shares of the construction company's stock worth $73,737,000 after acquiring an additional 20,129 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. grew its position in Masco by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 11,337 shares of the construction company's stock worth $823,000 after purchasing an additional 1,931 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV grew its position in Masco by 91.6% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 708,830 shares of the construction company's stock worth $51,440,000 after purchasing an additional 338,925 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Masco Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of MAS traded down $0.86 on Tuesday, reaching $65.87. 1,326,085 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,789,196. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $64.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. Masco Co. has a 12 month low of $56.55 and a 12 month high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.92 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.93 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.88%.

Insider Activity

In other Masco news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. This represents a 8.68% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital set a $62.00 price target on shares of Masco and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Barclays set a $71.00 target price on shares of Masco and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Masco from $74.00 to $62.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently 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.