Masco (NYSE:MAS) Price Target Raised to $96.00 at The Goldman Sachs Group

Masco (NYSE:MAS) had its target price raised by The Goldman Sachs Group from $85.00 to $96.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the construction company’s stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Citigroup dropped their target price on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Masco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Masco from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $89.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $86.32.

Masco Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MAS opened at $77.68 on Thursday. Masco has a 12 month low of $63.81 and a 12 month high of $86.70. The stock has a market cap of $16.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.66, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.25. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $76.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $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.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 previous year, the business earned $0.83 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Masco will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.60%. This is a boost from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. Masco’s payout ratio is presently 30.85%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in Masco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Masco

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.