Dover Advisors LLC Sells 885 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Dover Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 13.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,555 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 885 shares during the quarter. Dover Advisors LLC’s holdings in Masco were worth $372,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAS. Center for Financial Planning Inc. boosted its position in Masco by 270.6% during the 3rd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 667 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC boosted its position in Masco by 70.6% during the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,051 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 435 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Masco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $66,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Stock Performance

MAS traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $69.85. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,921,762 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,858,241. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $47.66 and a 52 week high of $78.94. The company’s 50-day moving average is $75.17 and its 200-day moving average is $67.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.76, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.74. The firm has a market cap of $15.38 billion, a PE ratio of 17.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.25.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The construction company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.94 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 865.37% and a net margin of 11.60%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.87 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.12 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd were given a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.66%. This is a boost from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MAS shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Masco from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Loop Capital cut their price objective on Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Masco in a report on Friday, January 19th. They issued a “market perform” rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Masco from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, April 5th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.15.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $2,703,076.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 58,885 shares in the company, valued at $4,395,765.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $2,703,076.50. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 58,885 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,395,765.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total value of $385,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 10,465 shares in the company, valued at $806,328.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 83,762 shares of company stock worth $6,337,597. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

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.