Barclays Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Masco (NYSE:MAS) Stock

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) had its price target raised by Barclays from $84.00 to $87.00 in a research note published on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the construction company's stock.

MAS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Zelman & Associates raised Masco to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $96.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Masco from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Masco from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $79.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.32.

Masco Price Performance

MAS stock traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $78.42. 1,292,936 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,376,449. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.21. The company has a market capitalization of $16.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25. Masco has a 52-week low of $63.81 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $76.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $78.70.

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 analysts' consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a return on equity of 615.54% and a net margin of 10.54%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.83 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Masco will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of Masco

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in Masco in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. 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.