Allianz SE Invests $269,000 in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Allianz SE bought a new stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 3,705 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $269,000.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its holdings in Masco by 26.7% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Masco Stock Down 9.2 %

MAS stock traded down $6.53 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $64.54. 2,540,704 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,721,473. The company has a market capitalization of $13.66 billion, a PE ratio of 17.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $74.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $77.73. 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 twelve month low of $63.12 and a twelve month high of $86.70.

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Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a return on equity of 838.32% and a net margin of 10.50%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.83 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.98%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of Masco stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. This trade represents a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of Masco stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $1,658,768.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on MAS. Barclays increased their target price on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Ten 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $85.30.

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.