Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. Boosts Stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 11.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 297,042 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 29,942 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned approximately 0.14% of Masco worth $24,934,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in Masco by 46.0% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 568 shares of the construction company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in Masco in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC raised its holdings in Masco by 850.8% in the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 599 shares of the construction company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 536 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS traded down $0.64 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $80.12. 254,601 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,778,329. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $81.57 and a 200-day moving average of $75.97. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $61.91 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The stock has a market cap of $17.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.47, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.83.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.08. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. The business had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.00 EPS. The business's revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.85%.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.32, for a total transaction of $2,961,592.48. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 36,980 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,896,273.60. This represents a 50.56 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on MAS shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on shares of Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Masco from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Masco from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $79.00 to $80.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Masco currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $85.96.

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.