Masco (NYSE:MAS) Reaches New 1-Year Low After Analyst Downgrade

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday after Barclays lowered their price target on the stock from $87.00 to $75.00. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Masco traded as low as $57.81 and last traded at $58.66, with a volume of 2732453 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $60.96.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on MAS. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup dropped 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Masco in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $71.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised Masco from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $89.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, January 10th. 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $84.50.

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Insider Activity

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of Masco stock in a transaction dated 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 $2,370,678.06. This trade represents a 8.68 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $1,658,768.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,601,988.12. This represents a 26.49 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Masco in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Masco in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Masco during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Masco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $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 valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares during the period. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Masco Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $71.54 and a 200 day moving average of $76.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market cap of $13.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 EPS 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 period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.83 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $0.31 dividend. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.00%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. Masco's payout ratio 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.