Czech National Bank Sells 653 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Czech National Bank decreased its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 1.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 38,667 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 653 shares during the period. Czech National Bank’s holdings in Masco were worth $3,050,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Montecito Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of Masco in the first quarter worth about $364,000. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Masco by 0.3% during the first quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 253,613 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $20,005,000 after buying an additional 830 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Masco during the first quarter valued at approximately $133,000. Rowlandmiller & PARTNERS.ADV boosted its stake in Masco by 3.9% during the first quarter. Rowlandmiller & PARTNERS.ADV now owns 6,899 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $544,000 after buying an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Masco by 10.5% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,285 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $417,000 after buying an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS stock opened at $67.84 on Friday. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $47.66 and a 52-week high of $78.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.76, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.27. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $69.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $70.74.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The construction company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.06. Masco had a return on equity of 865.37% and a net margin of 11.60%. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.94 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.87 EPS. Masco’s quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 24th were paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 23rd. Masco’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Masco from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Loop Capital dropped their price target on Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Citigroup increased their price target on Masco from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, April 5th. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.15.

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.