Masco (NYSE:MAS) Given Sector Perform Rating at Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed their sector perform rating on shares of Masco (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) in a research report report published on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $74.00 price objective on the construction company's stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised shares of Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, January 10th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Masco presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $86.32.

Masco Price Performance

NYSE:MAS traded up $0.80 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $78.42. The company had a trading volume of 1,292,936 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,376,449. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $76.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.70. Masco has a one year low of $63.81 and a one year high of $86.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.92 billion, a PE ratio of 20.86, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.83 EPS. Analysts forecast that Masco will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. This is a boost from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco's payout ratio is currently 30.85%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in Masco by 20.6% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 331,883 shares of the construction company's stock worth $28,147,000 after acquiring an additional 56,626 shares in the last quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Masco by 21.7% during the third quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC now owns 540,437 shares of the construction company's stock worth $45,364,000 after purchasing an additional 96,415 shares during the period. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Masco by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 219,120 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $17,135,000 after purchasing an additional 13,568 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Masco by 69.1% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,544 shares of the construction company's stock worth $112,000 after purchasing an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in Masco by 139.9% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,262 shares of the construction company's stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 736 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.