Seizert Capital Partners LLC Raises Stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Seizert Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 21.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 540,437 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 96,415 shares during the quarter. Masco accounts for 2.0% of Seizert Capital Partners LLC's holdings, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Seizert Capital Partners LLC owned 0.25% of Masco worth $45,364,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Masco by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 236,201 shares of the construction company's stock worth $19,827,000 after acquiring an additional 6,876 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Masco by 21.5% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 26,415 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,217,000 after buying an additional 4,668 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC boosted its position in Masco by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 7,917 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $665,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Masco by 6.7% in the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 32,765 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,750,000 after acquiring an additional 2,067 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the third quarter worth $292,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In other Masco news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of Masco stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.32, for a total value of $2,961,592.48. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 36,980 shares in the company, valued at $2,896,273.60. The trade was a 50.56 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MAS traded down $0.77 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $78.42. The company had a trading volume of 1,181,071 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,727,861. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $81.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $75.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $58.89 and a twelve month high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.08. The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2 billion. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.00 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 25th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be 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 is Friday, November 8th. Masco's payout ratio is 30.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Masco from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $79.00 to $80.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Loop Capital raised their target price on shares of Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $85.96.

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.