Larson Financial Group LLC Buys 1,109 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 75.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 2,583 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 1,109 shares during the quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Masco were worth $217,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. KKM Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Masco by 6.5% during the third quarter. KKM Financial LLC now owns 33,975 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $2,852,000 after purchasing an additional 2,082 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC purchased a new stake in Masco during the third quarter valued at about $470,000. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Masco by 1.4% during the third quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 16,648 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,384,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Masco by 9.5% in the third quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,319 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $446,000 after buying an additional 461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Investment Consultants LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Masco by 219.1% in the third quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 8,121 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $682,000 after buying an additional 5,576 shares in the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.32, for a total value of $2,961,592.48. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 36,980 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,896,273.60. This trade represents a 50.56 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Masco from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $79.00 to $80.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $89.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $85.96.

Masco Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of Masco stock opened at $80.41 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.83. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $58.91 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.24. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $81.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.63.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.08. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.00 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.09 EPS for the current year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 25th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. Masco’s payout ratio is 30.85%.

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.