Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $86.32.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on MAS shares. Zelman & Associates raised shares of Masco to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Barclays raised their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and issued a $74.00 price objective on shares of Masco in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Masco news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $1,658,768.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the company’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 transaction of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly 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. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Masco

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MAS. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its position in Masco by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 504,708 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $36,627,000 after purchasing an additional 26,481 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Masco by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 653,513 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $47,425,000 after buying an additional 2,900 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,466,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Masco by 105.9% in the 4th quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,882 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,153,000 after buying an additional 8,168 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Masco by 85.7% during the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 157,944 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $11,462,000 after acquiring an additional 72,875 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Stock Performance

MAS opened at $70.72 on Tuesday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $75.82 and its 200 day moving average is $78.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The company has a market cap of $14.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.81, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. Masco has a 12-month low of $63.81 and a 12-month high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.83 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Masco will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.75%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.