Bayesian Capital Management LP Sells 16,142 Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Bayesian Capital Management LP lessened its position in shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) by 74.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,500 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 16,142 shares during the period. Bayesian Capital Management LP’s holdings in Masco were worth $434,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in Masco by 62.4% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 354 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 2.5% in the first quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 5,513 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $435,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. BOKF NA grew its holdings in Masco by 2.5% in the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 6,178 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $480,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL grew its holdings in Masco by 1.8% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 9,516 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $751,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Finally, Patten & Patten Inc. TN grew its holdings in Masco by 1.6% in the first quarter. Patten & Patten Inc. TN now owns 10,618 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $838,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MAS traded down $0.95 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $77.37. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 116,315 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,962,051. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $69.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $71.44. Masco Co. has a one year low of $47.66 and a one year high of $79.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.24.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.02. Masco had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 602.39%. The company had revenue of $2.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.19 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 2nd will be paid a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 2nd. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on MAS. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 25th. StockNews.com cut shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Masco from $73.00 to $66.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Loop Capital reduced their price objective on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $76.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $75.77.

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.