Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund Boosts Stock Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund boosted its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 95.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,642 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 6,180 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund's holdings in Masco were worth $917,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MAS. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter valued at about $43,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on MAS. StockNews.com lowered Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Citigroup cut their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group cut their price objective on Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and issued a $74.00 price objective on shares of Masco in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Nine 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's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $86.32.

Masco Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE MAS traded down $1.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $74.82. 1,196,861 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,451,646. The company 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 Co. has a one year low of $63.81 and a one year high of $86.70. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $76.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released 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 quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.83 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.31 per share. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.66%. Masco's payout ratio is currently 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.