Feb 11 (Reuters) - Masco ( MAS ) missed Wall Street

estimates for fourth-quarter sales on Tuesday and signaled

"challenging demand" for repair and renovation projects in the

year ahead.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Masco ( MAS ) has witnessed sluggish demand this year as interest

rates remained high, deterring spending from cautious customers

on home renovation activities.

In an attempt to counter weak demand, the company has

undertaken cost-saving measures such as supply chain

improvements as well as price increases. Still, margins were

flat during the quarter.

CONTEXT

The company said it expects flat to a low-single-digit

decline in the global repair and remodel market.

Net sales in the company's plumbing segment decreased 1%,

while they fell 6% in its decorative architectural products'

segment.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Livonia, Michigan-based firm expects full-year earnings

per share in the range of $4.20 to $4.45 per share, including

the impact of U.S. tariffs on China. Analysts on average were

expecting a profit of $4.40 per share, according to data

compiled by LSEG.

The company expects annual sales to be flat to up low-single

digits, compared to a 2% decline in 2024

Sales fell 3% to $1.83 billion in the quarter ended December

31 from a year ago. Analysts had expected $1.84 billion.

Gross margin was flat at 34.7% on a reported basis.

It earned 89 cents per share on an adjusted basis, beating

expectations of 87 cents.

Net sales in the company's plumbing segment fell to $1.19

billion from $1.20 billion last year, while its decorative

architectural products' segment sales dropped to $639 million

from $677 million.