Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Acquires Shares of 1,328 Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR acquired a new stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 1,328 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $96,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAS. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its stake in Masco by 26.7% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 703 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the period. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Masco by 74.3% in the 4th quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 774 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on MAS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup cut their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Barclays increased their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price target for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $74.00 price target on shares of Masco in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $86.32.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In related news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $1,658,768.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total value of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Masco Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE MAS opened at $69.65 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $75.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $78.18. Masco Co. has a 52 week low of $63.81 and a 52 week high of $86.70. The company has a market cap of $14.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. 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, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a return on equity of 838.32% and a net margin of 10.50%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.83 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.78%. This is a boost from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.98%.

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.