Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. Sells 19,959 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. lessened its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 14.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 118,240 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 19,959 shares during the period. Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. owned about 0.05% of Masco worth $8,581,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAS. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Masco by 59.4% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 596 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS opened at $78.42 on Monday. Masco Co. has a 52-week low of $63.81 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.83. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $76.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.71. The firm has a market cap of $16.92 billion, a PE ratio of 20.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a return on equity of 615.54% and a net margin of 10.54%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.83 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.09 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.58%. This is a positive change from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. Masco’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.85%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MAS has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays boosted their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Masco from $78.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Masco from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $86.32.

Masco Company 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.