Franklin Resources Inc. Acquires 16,964 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 5.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 348,847 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 16,964 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.16% of Masco worth $25,316,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new stake in Masco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position 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 purchasing an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Masco Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of MAS stock traded up $0.16 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $61.86. The stock had a trading volume of 2,489,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,703,876. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.09 billion, a PE ratio of 16.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $71.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $57.27 and a 52-week high of $86.70.

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Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm posted $0.83 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.00%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco's dividend payout ratio is currently 32.98%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MAS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and set a $74.00 price objective on shares of Masco in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Masco in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $71.00 price target for the company. Zelman & Associates raised Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $84.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $1,658,768.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the firm'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 sale, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,370,678.06. This trade represents a 8.68 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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.