Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Shares Acquired by Renaissance Technologies LLC

Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 14.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 397,300 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 51,600 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned about 0.18% of Masco worth $28,832,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MAS. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in Masco by 20.6% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 331,883 shares of the construction company's stock worth $28,147,000 after purchasing an additional 56,626 shares during the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Masco by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 219,120 shares of the construction company's stock worth $17,135,000 after buying an additional 13,568 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of Masco by 69.1% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,544 shares of the construction company's stock worth $112,000 after buying an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Masco by 5,050.0% in the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,300 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $747,000 after acquiring an additional 10,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empower Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in Masco by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,016,079 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $73,737,000 after acquiring an additional 20,129 shares in the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

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

Masco Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:MAS traded down $0.57 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $61.84. 2,519,085 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,705,690. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $71.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.30. 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 Co. has a twelve month low of $55.64 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The company has a market cap of $13.09 billion, a PE ratio of 16.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 previous year, the firm earned $0.83 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $0.31 dividend. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.01%. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.98%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Masco in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $71.00 price objective on the stock. Oppenheimer raised shares of Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Masco from $87.00 to $75.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Ten investment 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $83.37.

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.