Central Bank & Trust Co. Decreases Stock Position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Central Bank & Trust Co. lessened its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 8.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,855 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 860 shares during the quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co.’s holdings in Masco were worth $616,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its stake in Masco by 89.0% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 684 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Masco by 74.3% during the 4th quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 774 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of MAS opened at $63.21 on Friday. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $56.55 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The stock has a market cap of $13.33 billion, a PE ratio of 16.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.19. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $62.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74.

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

Masco Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. Masco’s payout ratio is 33.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In other news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of Masco stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MAS shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on Masco from $74.00 to $62.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $71.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Masco from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $75.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $73.63.

Masco 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.