J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG Decreases Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG lowered its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 19.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 106,460 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 25,702 shares during the period. J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG's holdings in Masco were worth $7,726,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in Masco by 17.3% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 901 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. Equitable Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Masco by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 8,089 shares of the construction company's stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Masco by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,921 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,301,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its stake 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 purchasing an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keybank National Association OH raised its holdings in Masco by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 4,165 shares of the construction company's stock worth $302,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the vice president now directly owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were 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 directly 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. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Masco Stock Performance

Masco stock traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $60.41. The stock had a trading volume of 2,892,870 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,731,837. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.79 billion, a PE ratio of 16.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a 12 month low of $56.55 and a 12 month high of $86.70. 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 firm's 50-day moving average price is $68.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $75.16.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.92 by ($0.05). Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. The business had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.84 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.05%. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. Masco's payout ratio is presently 32.98%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on MAS shares. Loop Capital set a $62.00 target price on shares of Masco and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Masco from $74.00 to $62.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $71.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Ten equities research 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 "Hold" and an average price target of $73.10.

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.