Empower Advisory Group LLC Grows Stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Empower Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 2.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,016,079 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 20,129 shares during the quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC owned about 0.47% of Masco worth $73,737,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in shares of Masco by 20.6% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 331,883 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $28,147,000 after purchasing an additional 56,626 shares during the period. Seizert Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 21.7% during the 3rd quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC now owns 540,437 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $45,364,000 after buying an additional 96,415 shares in the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Masco by 6.6% during the fourth quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 219,120 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $17,135,000 after buying an additional 13,568 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in Masco by 69.1% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,544 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in Masco by 139.9% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,262 shares of the construction company's stock worth $106,000 after acquiring an additional 736 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on MAS. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Loop Capital lifted their price objective on Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $74.00 target price on shares of Masco in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. 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. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.32.

Masco Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of MAS traded down $1.47 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $74.82. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,196,861 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,451,646. 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 52 week low of $63.81 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The company's fifty day moving average price is $76.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.72. The stock has a market cap of $15.86 billion, a PE ratio of 19.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.25.

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

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $0.31 dividend. This is a boost from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.66%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. Masco's payout ratio is 30.85%.

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.