Mechanics Financial Corp Trims Stake in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Mechanics Financial Corp lessened its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 39.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 518 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 335 shares during the period. Mechanics Financial Corp’s holdings in Masco were worth $35,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MAS. Center for Financial Planning Inc. raised its stake in Masco by 270.6% during the 3rd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 667 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter worth $44,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in Masco by 70.6% during the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,051 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 435 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the 3rd quarter valued at $66,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Masco Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of MAS stock traded up $0.25 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $68.83. 432,182 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,056,677. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.28. Masco Co. has a 12-month low of $47.66 and a 12-month high of $78.94. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $74.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.76.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The construction company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.06. Masco had a return on equity of 865.37% and a net margin of 11.60%. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.94 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.87 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a $0.29 dividend. This is a positive change from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.69%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.43%.

Insider Transactions at Masco

In other news, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the company’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 transaction, the vice president now directly owns 10,465 shares in the company, valued at $806,328.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was 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 owns 10,465 shares in the company, valued at $806,328.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 58,885 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,395,765.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 83,762 shares of company stock worth $6,337,597. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on MAS shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Masco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Citigroup increased their price target on Masco from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, April 5th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Masco from $65.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on 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, Oppenheimer started coverage on shares of Masco in a research report on Friday, January 19th. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.15.

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.