Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Sells 143,799 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. decreased its position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 14.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 845,841 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 143,799 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.’s holdings in Masco were worth $61,383,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oak Thistle LLC grew its position in shares of Masco by 133.5% during the 4th quarter. Oak Thistle LLC now owns 29,435 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,136,000 after buying an additional 16,830 shares during the period. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Masco by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,921 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,301,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Masco during the 4th quarter worth $504,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH raised its position in shares of Masco by 16.6% during the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH now owns 6,425 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $466,000 after acquiring an additional 916 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Masco by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 46,779 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $3,395,000 after purchasing an additional 2,320 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of MAS opened at $77.15 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. Masco Co. has a twelve month low of $63.81 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a 50 day moving average of $76.96 and a 200-day moving average of $77.45.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 earnings per share 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 business 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 earned $1.00 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 25th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.50%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.85%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Citigroup lowered 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. StockNews.com lowered shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $85.00 target price (down previously from $92.00) on shares of Masco in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target 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. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $86.96.

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.