Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) Short Interest Update

Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS) was the recipient of 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 company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,680,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days.

Masco Stock Performance

Shares of MAS traded down $7.64 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $63.42. 1,186,414 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,650,042. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $74.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $77.73. Masco has a twelve month low of $63.19 and a twelve month high of $86.70. The company has a market cap of $13.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.87, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.01. Masco had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 838.32%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.83 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Masco will post 4.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. This is a positive change from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.96%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.98%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Masco in a report on Tuesday. They issued a “hold” rating and a $71.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Masco from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Citigroup reduced their price target on Masco from $82.00 to $77.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Masco from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Masco has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $85.30.

Insider Buying and Selling at Masco

In related news, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the business’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 sale, the vice president now directly owns 33,027 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. The trade was a 8.68 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the business’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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,601,988.12. This trade represents a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

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