Following my coverage on Masco Corp. (NYSE: MAS ) in April, in which I recommended a hold rating as the consumer spending backdrop was getting worse, and to top it off, there were the headwindsI take a fundamentals-based approach to value investing.I disagree with the common misconception held by many investors that low multiple stocks must be cheap. I look for companies that offer the best long-term durability at the most affordable prices. Consequently, I have a propensity to be drawn to companies with st ...

Masco Corporation (MAS), headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, has carved its niche in producing and marketing a broad range of branded home improvement and building products. Its portfolio spans Behr paints, Delta and Hansgrohe faucets and bath fixtures, Liberty decorative hardware, and HotSpring spas. With a market capitalization of approximately $15.1 billion, the company firmly sits in the “large-cap” arena, delivering faucets, showerheads, bath accessories, water systems, paints, coatings, and related ...

Group 1 - Newmont Corporation (NEM) has seen a 14.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) has experienced a 7.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) has recorded a 7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Dorman Products, Inc. (DORM) has seen an 11.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Masco Corporation (MAS) has also experienced an 11.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, September 22nd:Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) : This holding company for Simmons Bank has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.5% over the last 60 days.This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.2%, compared with the industry average of 2.3%.Newmont Corporation (NEM) : This producer and explorer of gold and other metals has witnessed the Zac ...

Core Insights - The U.S. housing market is experiencing a balance between affordability challenges and pent-up demand, with optimism emerging due to easing mortgage rates and potential Federal Reserve rate cuts [1][8] Builder Sentiment - Builder confidence in newly built single-family homes remained at 32 in September, unchanged from August, with future sales expectations rising to 45, the highest since March [2][8] - 39% of builders reported price reductions in September, the highest since the post-COVID period began, with an average reduction of 5% [3][8] Economic Factors - Inflation remains a concern, with the consumer price index rising 2.9% year-over-year in August, indicating ongoing price pressures [4] - The labor market showed weakness, adding only 22,000 jobs in August, with the unemployment rate increasing to 4.3% [5] - Mortgage rates have decreased to 6.35%, the lowest since mid-October 2024, potentially reopening opportunities for sidelined buyers [6][8] Industry Performance - The Zacks Building Products – Home Builders industry gained 29.5% over the past three months, outperforming the broader Zacks Construction sector and the S&P 500, both of which increased by 12.1% [10] - D.R. Horton (DHI) has seen a 41.6% increase in stock price over the past three months, with an upward revision of fiscal 2025 earnings estimates [14] - Toll Brothers (TOL) gained 34% in the same period, benefiting from potential confidence revival among high-income households [15] - Home Depot (HD), Lowe's (LOW), and Masco (MAS) have also posted significant gains, with respective increases of 21.4%, 28.3%, and 20.4% [16][17]

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Core Insights - Masco Corporation (MAS) reported strong second-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimates, leading to a 10% increase in shares during pre-market trading [1] - The company's performance was attributed to effective management amid a dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, as stated by President and CEO Jon Nudi [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $1.30, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08, and up from $1.20 in the same quarter last year [2] - Net sales reached $2,051 million, exceeding the consensus mark of $2,004 million, although this represented a 1.9% decline from the prior year [2] - Excluding divestitures, net sales remained flat year over year [2] Regional Sales Analysis - North American net sales decreased by 3% in local currency compared to the previous year [3] - International net sales increased by 1% year over year in local currency [3] Segment Performance - Plumbing Products segment saw a 5% year-over-year increase in net sales to $1.31 billion, with adjusted EBITDA rising to $303 million from $276 million in the prior year [4] - Decorative Architectural Products segment reported sales of $738 million, down 12% from the previous year, with adjusted EBITDA decreasing to $165 million from $184 million [5] Margin Analysis - Adjusted gross margin expanded by 10 basis points to 37.7% [6] - Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased by 90 basis points to 17.6% [6] - Adjusted operating margin increased by 100 basis points year-over-year to 20.1%, with adjusted EBITDA for the quarter at $449 million, up from $437 million last year [6] Liquidity and Shareholder Returns - As of June 30, 2025, Masco had total liquidity of $1.34 billion, including cash and cash investments of $390 million [7] - The company repurchased 1.6 million shares for approximately $101 million during the reported period [8] - A quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share has been announced, scheduled for payment on August 25, 2025 [8]

For the quarter ended June 2025, Masco (MAS) reported revenue of $2.05 billion, down 1.9% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.30, compared to $1.20 in the year-ago quarter. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. Here is how Masco performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitor ...

Company Performance - Masco reported quarterly earnings of $1.3 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08 per share, and up from $1.2 per share a year ago [1] - The earnings surprise for the quarter was +20.37%, while the previous quarter saw a surprise of -5.43% with actual earnings of $0.87 per share against an expectation of $0.92 [2] - The company posted revenues of $2.05 billion for the quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.32%, but down from $2.09 billion year-over-year [3] Future Outlook - The sustainability of Masco's stock price movement will depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and future earnings expectations [4] - Current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.86 on revenues of $1.95 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.58 on revenues of $7.61 billion [8] - The estimate revisions trend for Masco was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [7] Industry Context - The Building Products - Miscellaneous industry, to which Masco belongs, is currently ranked in the top 31% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [9] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's net sales decreased by 2% in the second quarter, but were in line with the prior year when excluding the Kichler divestiture and currency impacts [13][22] - Gross margins increased by 10 basis points to 37.7%, while operating profit grew by $14 million to $413 million, resulting in an operating profit margin increase of 100 basis points to 20.1% [13][24] - Earnings per share (EPS) grew by 8% to $1.3 per share [13][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Plumbing sales increased by 4% in local currency, with North American Plumbing sales up by 5% driven by favorable pricing and volume [14][25] - International plumbing sales increased by 1% in local currency, with operating profit for the segment at $276 million and an operating margin of 21% [15][25] - Decorative Architectural segment sales decreased by 12%, with total paint sales down mid-single digits due to lower volume [15][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global repair and remodel market is anticipated to decline by low single digits, with the company expecting to outperform the market [19][33] - The company expects its sales to be roughly flat, excluding the impacts of divestiture and currency, with lower volumes offset by pricing [19][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its portfolio of brands and enhance consumer experiences while driving profitable growth [8][20] - The focus is on leveraging digital strategies, including e-commerce and digital marketing, to accelerate top-line growth [83] - The company is committed to maintaining cost discipline while investing in future growth opportunities [30][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, emphasizing the need for mitigation actions against tariffs and commodity cost increases [12][17] - The company anticipates some uncertainty in near-term market conditions but remains optimistic about structural factors supporting long-term growth [20][34] - Management expects headwinds in the second half of the year, particularly related to tariff costs and commodity inflation [35] Other Important Information - The company plans to allocate approximately $450 million towards share repurchases or acquisitions in 2025, with a focus on bolt-on acquisitions [38][41] - The balance sheet remains strong, with gross debt to EBITDA at two times and $1.3 billion in liquidity [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Allocation of $450 million to repurchases and acquisitions - Management indicated that acquisitions would be bolt-on in nature, focusing on core areas, with the majority of the allocation expected for share repurchases [38][41] Question: Sustainability of propane growth - The propane business has grown significantly, and management believes there is still room for growth, particularly through partnerships with The Home Depot [42][43] Question: Pre-buy activity in plumbing - Some pre-buy activity was noted in plumbing, primarily related to tariff price increases, but overall channel inventories remain healthy [48][50] Question: DIY paint consumption trends - Management highlighted that existing home sales, which are at a three-decade low, are a major driver of softness in the DIY market [54][56] Question: Performance of plumbing brands - Upper premium and luxury brands are performing well, while mid-tier brands are experiencing some trade-down [61][63] Question: Mitigation actions against tariffs - Management is employing pricing, cost reductions, and sourcing changes to mitigate tariff impacts, with a focus on reducing exposure to China [74][104] Question: Working capital dynamics - Working capital is impacted by tariffs and inflation, with a focus on maintaining lean inventory while managing tariff-related costs [118][119]