The Goldman Sachs Group Issues Positive Forecast for Masco (NYSE:MAS) Stock Price

Masco (NYSE:MAS) had its price target increased by The Goldman Sachs Group from $85.00 to $96.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the construction company’s stock.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. StockNews.com downgraded Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Masco from $80.00 to $83.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays lifted their price target on Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $86.32.

Masco Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of Masco stock opened at $77.68 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $76.47 and a 200-day moving average of $78.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.21. The company has a market capitalization of $16.76 billion, a PE ratio of 20.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25. Masco has a 1-year low of $63.81 and a 1-year high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced 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 return on equity of 615.54% and a net margin of 10.54%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.83 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Masco will post 4.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.60%. This is a boost from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.85%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. 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.