Apollon Wealth Management LLC Sells 157 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Apollon Wealth Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 3.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,106 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 157 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Masco were worth $429,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MAS. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. bought a new stake in Masco in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Family Firm Inc. bought a new stake in Masco in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Masco by 46.0% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 568 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter worth $38,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Masco

In other news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.32, for a total transaction of $2,961,592.48. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 36,980 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,896,273.60. This trade represents a 50.56 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Masco Stock Performance

Shares of MAS opened at $78.42 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $81.86 and a 200-day moving average of $75.23. Masco Co. has a one year low of $58.89 and a one year high of $86.70. The company has a market cap of $16.92 billion, a PE ratio of 20.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.21.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.08. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. The company had revenue of $1.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.00 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 8th. Masco’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $85.96.

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.