Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,140,000 shares, a growth of 20.7% from the February 28th total of 4,260,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,680,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.1 days. Approximately 2.4% of the company's shares are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MAS. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Zelman & Associates raised Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $96.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Masco has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $85.30.

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Masco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MAS traded down $2.20 during trading on Monday, hitting $60.73. 999,333 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,672,732. The company has a market cap of $12.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.12, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.15. Masco has a 52-week low of $59.90 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $74.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $77.45.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 previous year, the business earned $0.83 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Masco will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $0.31 dividend. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. Masco's payout ratio is currently 32.98%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In other Masco news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of Masco 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 sale, the vice president now directly owns 33,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the 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 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Masco during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new position in Masco during the fourth quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Masco by 89.0% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 684 shares of the construction company's stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.