Russell Investments Group Ltd. Sells 10,907 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. cut its stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 4.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 259,518 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 10,907 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.12% of Masco worth $18,833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Masco by 17.3% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 901 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. Equitable Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of Masco by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 8,089 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $587,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Masco by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,921 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,301,000 after buying an additional 147 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its holdings in Masco by 26.7% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keybank National Association OH boosted its position in Masco by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 4,165 shares of the construction company's stock worth $302,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company's stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

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

Masco Stock Performance

MAS stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $62.47. 415,442 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,698,391. The company has a market capitalization of $13.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. 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 twelve month low of $57.27 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $71.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $76.30.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.83 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $0.31 dividend. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. Masco's payout ratio is presently 32.98%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on MAS shares. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and issued a $74.00 price target on shares of Masco in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $65.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Ten equities research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, Masco presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.