Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV Boosts Stock Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 50.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 197,246 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 66,072 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV owned approximately 0.09% of Masco worth $13,150,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at about $122,144,000. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $975,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lifted its holdings in Masco by 14.3% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 542,096 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $42,245,000 after buying an additional 67,806 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,903,000. Finally, Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the second quarter valued at approximately $82,363,000. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.32, for a total transaction of $2,961,592.48. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 36,980 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,896,273.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Masco Stock Performance

Shares of MAS stock opened at $83.24 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $18.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.18, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.76. Masco Co. has a one year low of $47.66 and a one year high of $83.56. The company’s 50-day moving average is $76.21 and its 200 day moving average is $73.00.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.02. Masco had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 602.39%. The company had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.19 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 2nd were given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 2nd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.39%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Masco from $81.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Masco from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Masco from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $77.58.

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.