Masco (NYSE:MAS) Reaches New 1-Year High at $82.32

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $82.32 and last traded at $82.03, with a volume of 127935 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $81.04.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have commented on MAS. Citigroup decreased 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. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Masco from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Masco from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $77.58.

Masco Trading Up 0.3 %

The stock’s 50-day moving average is $75.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.91. The company has a market cap of $17.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.18, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.12.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. Masco had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 602.39%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.19 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Masco Co. will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 2nd were given a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 2nd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.43%. Masco’s payout ratio is 28.43%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Masco news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 37,814 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.32, for a total transaction of $2,961,592.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 36,980 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,896,273.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Masco

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MAS. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. bought a new stake in Masco during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Masco in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Masco by 62.4% in the 1st 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 period. Family Firm Inc. bought a new stake in Masco during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position in Masco by 46.0% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 568 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

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.