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

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $207.50.

AWI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded Armstrong World Industries from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Vertical Research began coverage on Armstrong World Industries in a report on Monday, October 20th. They set a “buy” rating and a $238.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Armstrong World Industries from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $178.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th.

Armstrong World Industries Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE AWI opened at $191.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.52. Armstrong World Industries has a 1 year low of $122.37 and a 1 year high of $206.08. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $188.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $185.91. The firm has a market cap 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 quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 6th. The construction company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 19.08% and a return on equity of 38.97%. The firm had revenue of $325.00 million for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Armstrong World Industries will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Armstrong World Industries Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were issued a $0.339 dividend. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a positive change from Armstrong World Industries’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 6th. Armstrong World Industries’s payout ratio is currently 19.46%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Armstrong World Industries

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of AWI. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries during the second quarter worth $84,412,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its position in Armstrong World Industries by 121.3% in the 2nd 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 last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Armstrong World Industries by 64.1% in 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 raised its stake in shares of 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 worth $62,060,000 after purchasing an additional 250,133 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 87.8% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 365,774 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $71,695,000 after purchasing an additional 170,983 shares in the last quarter. 98.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Armstrong World Industries Company Profile

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.