Geode Capital Management LLC Buys 58,739 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 1.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,129,771 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 58,739 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned 2.38% of Masco worth $371,265,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MAS. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth $42,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in Masco by 26.7% during the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MAS traded down $3.70 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $60.07. The stock had a trading volume of 530,356 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,846,206. The company has a market capitalization of $12.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a 12-month low of $57.27 and a 12-month high of $86.70. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $72.17 and a 200-day moving average of $76.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75.

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Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 in the prior year, the business earned $0.83 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. Masco's dividend payout ratio is currently 32.98%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group lowered their price target on Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Masco from $87.00 to $75.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Zelman & Associates raised Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted 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. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $84.50.

Insider Activity at Masco

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 33,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. This trade represents a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.