Zacks: Analysts Expect Masco Corp (NYSE:MAS) to Announce $0.54 EPS

Posted by Max Byerly on Dec 4th, 2019

Brokerages expect that Masco Corp (NYSE:MAS) will report $0.54 earnings per share for the current quarter, Zacks Investment Research reports. Three analysts have made estimates for Masco’s earnings. The highest EPS estimate is $0.60 and the lowest is $0.51. Masco reported earnings per share of $0.64 during the same quarter last year, which indicates a negative year over year growth rate of 15.6%. The business is scheduled to report its next earnings report on Thursday, February 6th.

On average, analysts expect that Masco will report full year earnings of $2.23 per share for the current year, with EPS estimates ranging from $2.20 to $2.26. For the next fiscal year, analysts anticipate that the business will report earnings of $2.61 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $2.48 to $2.75. Zacks’ EPS averages are an average based on a survey of sell-side research analysts that follow Masco.

Masco (NYSE:MAS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The construction company reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.69 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.13 billion. Masco had a net margin of 8.27% and a return on equity of 1,500.49%. Masco’s revenue was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.61 EPS.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MAS. Zacks Investment Research upgraded Masco from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $48.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Masco from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Argus lifted their price objective on Masco from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Deutsche Bank started coverage on Masco in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Masco from a “c+” rating to a “b-” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Masco presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $47.15.

Shares of Masco stock traded up $0.47 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $45.57. 2,470,769 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,274,838. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 120.48. The firm has a market cap of $13.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.42. Masco has a 1 year low of $27.03 and a 1 year high of $47.51. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $45.54 and its 200 day moving average is $41.02.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 11th were issued a $0.135 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 10th. This is a positive change from Masco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. This represents a $0.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.18%. Masco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.60%.

Masco announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, September 17th that permits the company to buyback $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the construction company to repurchase up to 16.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

In other Masco news, Director Richard A. Manoogian sold 123,138 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.83, for a total value of $5,643,414.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 506,513 shares in the company, valued at $23,213,490.79. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Marie A. Ffolkes sold 1,957 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.22, for a total value of $90,452.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,603 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $351,410.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 229,338 shares of company stock worth $10,502,323. Insiders own 1.17% of the company’s stock.

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new position in Masco during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,280,000. WINTON GROUP Ltd purchased a new position in Masco during the second quarter valued at $213,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Masco by 245.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 68,508 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $2,688,000 after purchasing an additional 48,660 shares in the last quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Masco by 271.3% during the 2nd quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 1,218 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 890 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NuWave Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Masco by 305.1% in the 2nd quarter. NuWave Investment Management LLC now owns 1,260 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 949 shares in the last quarter. 91.87% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Masco Company Profile

Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products worldwide. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, fitness systems, and other non-decorative plumbing products; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; and thermoplastic extrusions, extruded plastic profiles, and specialized fabrications.