Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Shares Sold by Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 3.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 246,939 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 8,144 shares during the quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.11% of Masco worth $17,920,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Masco in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the third quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Masco by 59.4% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 596 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company's stock.

Masco Stock Performance

Shares of MAS traded up $0.96 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $77.68. 1,426,031 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,494,729. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.76 billion, a PE ratio of 20.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $76.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $78.70. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $63.81 and a 52-week high of $86.70.

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 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.83 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.85%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MAS. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.32.

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.