Sovran Advisors LLC Takes Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Sovran Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 3,552 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $269,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Masco in the third quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 59.4% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 596 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Masco Price Performance

NYSE:MAS traded up $0.80 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $78.42. 1,292,936 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,376,449. The firm has a market cap of $16.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $76.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $78.73. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $63.81 and a 52 week high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a return on equity of 615.54% and a net margin of 10.54%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.83 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $0.31 dividend. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. Masco's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.85%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Masco from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $74.00 price objective on shares of Masco in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Loop Capital increased their target price on shares of Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Zelman & Associates raised shares of Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.32.

About Masco

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.