Squarepoint Ops LLC Increases Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its stake in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 53.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 325,344 shares of the construction company’s stock after buying an additional 113,938 shares during the quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned about 0.15% of Masco worth $23,610,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Twinbeech Capital LP purchased a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at $258,000. Teza Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at $305,000. State of Wyoming boosted its holdings in Masco by 61.1% in the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 6,549 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $475,000 after purchasing an additional 2,485 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in Masco by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 132,033 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $9,581,000 after purchasing an additional 5,431 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Masco by 130.3% in the fourth quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC now owns 15,134 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,098,000 after purchasing an additional 8,562 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at $2,370,678.06. This represents a 8.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $1,658,768.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on MAS. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $75.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Masco in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $71.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $73.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (down previously from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $73.63.

Masco Stock Down 1.3%

MAS opened at $65.87 on Wednesday. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $56.55 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $64.66 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.67. The company has a market cap of $13.89 billion, a PE ratio of 17.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.23.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.92 by ($0.05). Masco had a return on equity of 838.32% and a net margin of 10.50%. The company had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.93 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.88%.

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.