Natixis Investment Managers International Reduces Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Natixis Investment Managers International decreased its position in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 19.8% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,488 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 367 shares during the quarter. Natixis Investment Managers International’s holdings in Masco were worth $117,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 62.4% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 354 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 70.1% during the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 432 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 4,545.5% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the first quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Union Savings Bank boosted its stake in shares of Masco by 91.7% during the fourth quarter. Union Savings Bank now owns 575 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Loop Capital reduced their price objective on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 25th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 25th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 25th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.69.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS traded up $5.30 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $75.88. 3,677,245 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,969,930. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.76. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $68.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.17. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $47.66 and a 52-week high of $78.94. The company has a market cap of $16.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.60, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.24.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The construction company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.94 billion. Masco had a net margin of 11.60% and a return on equity of 865.37%. The company’s revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.87 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 2nd will be paid a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 2nd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.53%. Masco’s payout ratio is currently 28.43%.

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.