Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund Trims Stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund lowered its stake in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 61.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 21,162 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 33,200 shares during the quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund’s holdings in Masco were worth $1,536,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Masco by 6.7% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,031 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $170,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 0.3% in the third quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 44,940 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $3,756,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 1.9% in the third quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 7,031 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $590,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Masco by 17.3% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 901 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. grew its holdings in Masco by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 8,089 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of Masco stock opened at $76.01 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $16.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.25. The company’s 50 day moving average is $76.09 and its 200 day moving average is $78.82. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $63.81 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.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 in the prior year, the firm earned $0.83 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.63%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.98%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Masco has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $86.32.

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.