Masco (NYSE:MAS) Hits New 12-Month High at $78.94

Shares of Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $78.94 and last traded at $78.88, with a volume of 1619682 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $77.85.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Masco in a report on Friday, February 2nd. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $70.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Masco from $58.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Barclays lifted their target price on Masco from $63.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. StockNews.com lowered Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Masco from $58.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Masco currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $68.92.

Masco Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.05, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market cap of $17.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.62, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $73.12 and a 200 day moving average of $63.82.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The construction company reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.17. Masco had a return on equity of 3,111.50% and a net margin of 11.40%. The firm had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.79 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.65 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Masco Co. will post 4.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. This is an increase from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.47%. Masco’s payout ratio is presently 28.93%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In other Masco news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $2,703,076.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 58,885 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,395,765.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total transaction of $385,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 10,465 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $806,328.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 36,210 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total value of $2,703,076.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 58,885 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,395,765.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 83,762 shares of company stock valued at $6,337,597. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. DecisionPoint Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Masco during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Masco during the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. increased its position in shares of Masco by 270.6% during the third quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 667 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its position in shares of Masco by 137.5% during the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 532 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.