Equitable Trust Co. Boosts Stock Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Equitable Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 2.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,953 shares of the construction company’s stock after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the quarter. Equitable Trust Co.’s holdings in Masco were worth $668,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of Masco in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Olympiad Research LP acquired a new stake in Masco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $297,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Masco by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 263,155 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $22,089,000 after buying an additional 7,089 shares during the period. Montecito Bank & Trust grew its stake in shares of Masco by 125.4% in the third quarter. Montecito Bank & Trust now owns 11,778 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $989,000 after acquiring an additional 6,553 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Donald L. Hagan LLC increased its position in shares of Masco by 2.9% during the third quarter. Donald L. Hagan LLC now owns 19,584 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,644,000 after acquiring an additional 553 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In other Masco news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of Masco stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the vice president now directly owns 36,980 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,896,273.60. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Masco Price Performance

MAS stock opened at $80.95 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $81.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $74.85. The company has a market capitalization of $17.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.53, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $55.13 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.08. The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2 billion. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. Masco’s quarterly revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.00 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.1 EPS for the current year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 25th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be given a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on MAS. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Masco from $89.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Masco from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their price objective on shares of Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $85.96.

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.