Masco (NYSE:MAS) Hits New 52-Week High at $79.87

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $79.87 and last traded at $79.87, with a volume of 113829 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $77.74.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Masco from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Masco from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on Masco from $73.00 to $66.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $77.58.

Masco Trading Up 3.8 %

The company has a 50-day moving average price of $71.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.18.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.02. Masco had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 602.39%. The business had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.19 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 2nd were issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 2nd. Masco's dividend payout ratio is currently 28.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAS. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter worth $627,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter worth about $122,144,000. Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter worth about $975,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp boosted its position in Masco by 14.3% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 542,096 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $42,245,000 after buying an additional 67,806 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Masco in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,903,000. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.