UBS Group Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Masco (NYSE:MAS) Stock Price

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) had its price objective reduced by UBS Group from $94.00 to $91.00 in a research note published on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the construction company's stock.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on MAS. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $74.00 price target on shares of Masco in a research report on Wednesday. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Masco from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Citigroup dropped their price target 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. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $86.32.

Masco Trading Up 1.0 %

NYSE MAS traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $78.42. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,292,936 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,376,449. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.21. Masco has a 52-week low of $63.81 and a 52-week high of $86.70. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $76.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $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 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 quarter last year, the business posted $0.83 EPS. Research analysts expect that Masco will post 4.09 EPS for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid 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 dividend yield of 1.58%. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.85%.

Institutional Trading of Masco

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Masco by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,031 shares of the construction company's stock worth $170,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC raised its position in Masco by 0.3% during the third quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 44,940 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,756,000 after acquiring an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in Masco by 1.9% in the third quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 7,031 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $590,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in Masco by 17.3% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 901 shares of the construction company's stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of Masco by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 8,089 shares of the construction company's stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. 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.