ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co Ltd Reduces Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co Ltd lessened its stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 13.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 45,464 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 7,180 shares during the period. ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co Ltd's holdings in Masco were worth $3,299,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 20.6% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 331,883 shares of the construction company's stock worth $28,147,000 after buying an additional 56,626 shares during the period. Seizert Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 21.7% during the third quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC now owns 540,437 shares of the construction company's stock worth $45,364,000 after buying an additional 96,415 shares during the period. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake 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 worth $17,135,000 after buying an additional 13,568 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 69.1% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,544 shares of the construction company's stock worth $112,000 after buying an additional 631 shares during the period. Finally, Assetmark Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 139.9% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,262 shares of the construction company's stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 736 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Oppenheimer raised shares of Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, January 10th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Loop Capital increased their price target on shares of Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.32.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS traded down $1.16 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $74.82. 1,196,849 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,434,256. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $76.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $78.71. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $63.81 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The company has a market cap of $15.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.90, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.25.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 quarter last year, the company earned $0.83 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS 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 issued a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.66%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.