Panagora Asset Management Inc. Has $516,000 Stock Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Panagora Asset Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 67.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,736 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 15,734 shares during the quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Masco were worth $516,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MAS. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in shares of Masco by 62.4% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 354 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC increased its holdings in Masco by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 5,513 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $435,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Masco by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,127 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $275,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the period. BOKF NA lifted its holdings in shares of Masco by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. BOKF NA now owns 6,178 shares of the construction company's stock worth $480,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in shares of Masco by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 9,516 shares of the construction company's stock worth $751,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Masco Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of Masco stock traded down $0.17 on Wednesday, hitting $78.14. 1,195,504 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,907,836. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $73.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.18, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.21 billion, a PE ratio of 19.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a one year low of $47.66 and a one year high of $81.91.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 602.39% and a net margin of 11.59%. The firm's revenue was down 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.19 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 2nd were paid a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 2nd. Masco's payout ratio is presently 28.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on MAS. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Masco from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Masco from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Masco from $73.00 to $66.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $77.58.

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.