Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI) have been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the ten research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $207.50.

Several analysts recently commented on AWI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Armstrong World Industries from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Armstrong World Industries from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $178.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Vertical Research began coverage on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a report on Monday, October 20th. They set a “buy” rating and a $238.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Armstrong World Industries during the second quarter valued at $84,412,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its position in Armstrong World Industries by 121.3% in the second quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 737,000 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $119,718,000 after purchasing an additional 404,000 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 64.1% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 891,336 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $173,775,000 after purchasing an additional 348,327 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in Armstrong World Industries by 131.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 440,519 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $62,060,000 after purchasing an additional 250,133 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 87.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 365,774 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $71,695,000 after purchasing an additional 170,983 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.93% of the company’s stock.

Armstrong World Industries Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AWI opened at $191.11 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $188.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $185.91. Armstrong World Industries has a one year low of $122.37 and a one year high of $206.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.34, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.32.

Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 6th. The construction company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 19.08% and a return on equity of 38.97%. The business had revenue of $325.00 million for the quarter. Sell-side analysts expect that Armstrong World Industries will post 6.18 EPS for the current year.

Armstrong World Industries Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were paid a $0.339 dividend. This is an increase from Armstrong World Industries’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 6th. Armstrong World Industries’s payout ratio is presently 19.46%.

About Armstrong World Industries

Armstrong World Industries, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of commercial ceiling and wall solutions. The company offers a diverse portfolio of acoustical, decorative and specialty ceiling systems designed to enhance interior environments in offices, healthcare facilities, schools, retail outlets and other non-residential settings. Through its focus on performance, aesthetics and sustainability, Armstrong World Industries addresses both functional and design requirements for architects, contractors and building owners.

Armstrong’s product range includes mineral fiber, fiberglass, wood wool, metal and stone wool ceiling panels, as well as suspension and grid systems.