Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Lowers Stake in Masco Corporation $MAS

Key Points

• Zurcher Kantonalbank cut its position by 12.7% in Masco during Q4, selling 24,141 shares to hold 165,623 shares worth about $10.51 million at period end.
• Masco beat Q1 EPS estimates ($1.04 vs. $0.88) while reporting $1.92B revenue, reaffirmed FY26 guidance of $4.10–$4.30, raised its dividend and authorized a $2.0 billion buyback (up to 13.5% of shares) while increasing planned capital deployment to at least $800M.
• Analyst reactions are mixed but generally constructive — several firms raised price targets (Goldman to $90, UBS to $97) even as Citigroup trimmed to $79; the street average rating is a "Hold" with an average price target of $79.80.

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank cut its position in Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 12.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 165,623 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 24,141 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned approximately 0.08% of Masco worth $10,510,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MAS. Focus Partners Wealth raised its holdings in Masco by 2.6% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 10,414 shares of the construction company's stock worth $724,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. CW Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Masco in the second quarter worth $238,000. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its holdings in Masco by 14.8% in the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 25,555 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,645,000 after purchasing an additional 3,294 shares during the last quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new position in Masco in the second quarter worth $415,000. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in Masco by 4.6% in the second quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 31,832 shares of the construction company's stock worth $2,049,000 after purchasing an additional 1,413 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Masco Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of MAS stock opened at $75.41 on Friday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $65.61 and its 200-day simple moving average is $65.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 109.07, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.30 billion, a PE ratio of 18.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.29. Masco Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $58.16 and a fifty-two week high of $79.19.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The construction company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $1.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.07 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 815.20% and a net margin of 10.90%.The company's revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.87 earnings per share. Masco has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.100-4.300 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Masco Corporation will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th were issued a $0.32 dividend. This is an increase from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 20th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Masco's payout ratio is currently 33.25%.

Masco declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, February 10th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the construction company to buy up to 13.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Masco from $79.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $88.00 price target on shares of Masco in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Evercore raised Masco from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $78.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, April 13th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $79.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Masco from $96.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $79.80.

More Masco News

Here are the key news stories impacting Masco this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 earnings beat and strong market reaction — Masco reported EPS above estimates, prompting a gap-up and sharp intraday rally as investors cheered the outperformance and resilience in remodeling demand. Masco NYSE: MAS Shares Gap Up After Better-Than-Expected Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Volume gains, pricing and product expansion drove outperformance — Analysts and reporters highlighted volume improvements, pricing actions and cost saves that lifted margins and supported the beat. MAS Q1 Deep Dive: Volume Gains, Cost Actions, and Product Expansion Drive Outperformance
• Positive Sentiment: Company reaffirmed FY26 EPS range and boosted capital deployment — Masco kept guidance at $4.10–$4.30 and raised planned share/deployment to at least $800M, a clear signal of confidence that supports shareholder returns. Masco maintains 2026 EPS $4.10-$4.30 while lifting 2026 deployment to at least $800M
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts are and have been raising forecasts after the beat — Several firms updated models higher and commentary post-quarter was constructive, supporting further multiple expansion if trends continue. Masco Analysts Increase Their Forecasts Following Strong Q1 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call tone: strong quarter but cautious commentary — Management stressed confidence in actions (pricing/costs) but offered measured language on demand outlook, which limits enthusiasm until mid-cycle trends are clearer. Masco Earnings Call: Strong Q1, Cautious Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Profit rise driven by plumbing/products growth — Good segment performance, but investors will watch whether it broadens across all end markets. Masco Profit Rises on Plumbing Products Sales Growth
• Negative Sentiment: Some topline softness vs certain Street estimates — revenue figures were weaker versus some consensus views, leaving the beat driven more by margin actions than broad sales strength (a potential headwind if sales pivot slows). No direct article link provided for the estimate gap.
• Negative Sentiment: Citigroup trimmed its price target (from $84 to $79) and moved to neutral, which could temper upside in the near term. Benzinga

Insider Activity at Masco

In other news, CAO Heath M. Eisman sold 747 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.92, for a total value of $53,724.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 12,510 shares of the company's stock, valued at $899,719.20. The trade was a 5.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Masco

Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, the company has evolved from a small door‐bell manufacturer into a diversified enterprise serving both residential and commercial markets. Over its history, Masco has grown through a combination of organic innovation and strategic acquisitions, building a portfolio of well-recognized brands.

The company's product offerings are organized into two primary segments.

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