Masco (NYSE:MAS) Upgraded at Oppenheimer

Masco (NYSE:MAS) was upgraded by equities researchers at Oppenheimer from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report issued on Friday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. The brokerage currently has a $89.00 price objective on the construction company’s stock. Oppenheimer’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 22.91% from the company’s current price.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on MAS. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Masco from $78.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Masco from $95.00 to $94.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price target for the stock from $96.00 to $89.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Masco from $78.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Masco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Masco has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $86.96.

Masco Stock Performance

MAS traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $72.41. 159,732 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 922,423. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $77.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $77.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.25. Masco has a 1-year low of $63.81 and a 1-year high of $86.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74.

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

Institutional Trading of Masco

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MAS. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Masco during the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Masco in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Masco by 59.4% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 596 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in Masco by 86.4% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 673 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intact Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Masco during the third quarter worth $77,000. 93.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.