Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Short Interest Update

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,140,000 shares, a growth of 20.7% from the February 28th total of 4,260,000 shares. Currently, 2.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,680,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.1 days.

Masco Trading Up 1.8 %

NYSE MAS traded up $1.23 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $71.07. The stock had a trading volume of 1,197,499 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,651,415. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $74.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $77.73. Masco has a one year low of $63.81 and a one year high of $86.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.75.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a return on equity of 838.32% and a net margin of 10.50%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.83 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Masco will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.74%. This is a boost from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. Masco’s payout ratio is 32.98%.

Insider Activity at Masco

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total value of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. This represents a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total value of $1,658,768.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This represents a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Masco

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Masco during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Masco in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in Masco in the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Masco by 89.0% during the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 684 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Masco from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Masco to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on Masco from $94.00 to $91.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $85.30.

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.