Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Stake Raised by Meeder Asset Management Inc.

Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 32,287.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 237,400 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 236,667 shares during the period. Masco comprises about 1.2% of Meeder Asset Management Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Meeder Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.11% of Masco worth $17,228,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MAS. Algert Global LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco during the 3rd quarter valued at about $470,000. FMR LLC grew its position in Masco by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 465,848 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $39,103,000 after acquiring an additional 40,731 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its position in shares of Masco by 4,498.9% during the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 8,094 shares of the construction company's stock worth $679,000 after purchasing an additional 7,918 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA increased its stake in Masco by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 15,488 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,300,000 after buying an additional 1,508 shares during the period. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its position in shares of Masco by 8.2% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 9,215 shares of the construction company's stock worth $774,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

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Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS traded down $1.08 on Friday, reaching $63.07. The stock had a trading volume of 1,871,932 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,665,595. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $60.30 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.35 billion, a PE ratio of 16.73, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $74.43 and a 200 day moving average of $77.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 previous year, the business earned $0.83 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. Masco's dividend payout ratio is 32.98%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,601,988.12. This represents a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total value of $225,317.42. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on MAS shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. UBS Group reduced their price target on Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Friday, January 10th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $85.30.

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.