Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Shares Purchased by Meeder Asset Management Inc.

Meeder Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 32,287.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 237,400 shares of the construction company’s stock after acquiring an additional 236,667 shares during the quarter. Masco comprises about 1.2% of Meeder Asset Management Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. Meeder Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Masco were worth $17,228,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MAS. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Masco during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its holdings in Masco by 26.7% during the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Masco

In other Masco news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total value of $225,317.42. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly 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 document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,601,988.12. This represents a 26.49 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Barclays lifted their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $86.32.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MAS opened at $68.63 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $63.81 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $75.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $77.92. 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 released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.83 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.81%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.98%.

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.