Brokerages Set Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) PT at $86.32

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $86.32.

A number of research firms have issued reports on MAS. UBS Group cut their target price on Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $96.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Zelman & Associates raised Masco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MAS. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Masco during the fourth quarter worth approximately $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

Masco Stock Performance

Masco stock opened at $75.10 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $76.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.86. The company has a market capitalization of $15.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.25. 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 results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 period last year, the firm earned $0.83 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Masco will post 4.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.65%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.98%.

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.