Masco (NYSE:MAS) Price Target Cut to $76.00 by Analysts at Loop Capital

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) had its target price cut by Loop Capital from $79.00 to $76.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a hold rating on the construction company's stock.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on MAS. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Masco from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup increased their price target on Masco from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, April 5th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Masco from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Masco from $65.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Masco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 27th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $71.07.

Masco Trading Up 0.2 %

NYSE:MAS traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $69.87. 2,796,866 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,082,240. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.25. Masco has a one year low of $47.66 and a one year high of $78.94. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $75.23 and a 200 day simple moving average of $66.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.05.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The construction company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.06. Masco had a net margin of 11.40% and a return on equity of 3,111.50%. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.87 EPS. The company's revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Masco will post 4.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. This is a positive change from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.66%. Masco's dividend payout ratio is currently 28.93%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Jai Shah sold 42,552 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $3,249,270.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 15,830 shares in the company, valued at $1,208,778.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Jai Shah sold 42,552 shares of Masco stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $3,249,270.72. Following the sale, the insider now owns 15,830 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,208,778.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Richard Allan Marshall sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total value of $385,250.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 10,465 shares of the company's stock, valued at $806,328.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 83,762 shares of company stock worth $6,337,597. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Masco

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in Masco by 62.4% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 354 shares of the construction company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Masco by 70.1% in the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 432 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Masco in the first quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Union Savings Bank grew its stake in Masco by 91.7% during the fourth quarter. Union Savings Bank now owns 575 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC bought a new stake in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. 93.91% of the stock is 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.