Masco (NYSE:MAS) Cut to Hold at Jefferies Financial Group

Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Masco (NYSE:MAS) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has $89.00 target price on the construction company’s stock, down from their prior target price of $96.00.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Masco from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Masco from $92.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Loop Capital raised their target price on shares of Masco from $76.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $85.88.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MAS opened at $73.96 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $15.96 billion, a PE ratio of 19.67, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.23. The company’s fifty day moving average is $80.62 and its 200 day moving average is $76.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. Masco has a 52 week low of $63.60 and a 52 week high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.08. The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2 billion. Masco had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 615.54%. The business’s revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.00 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Masco will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 25th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. Masco’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.85%.

Institutional Trading of Masco

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAS. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Family Firm Inc. bought a new position in Masco during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Masco in the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. LRI Investments LLC increased its stake in Masco by 850.8% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 599 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Masco during the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Institutional investors own 93.91% of the company’s stock.

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.