Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Invests $338,000 in Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 2,392 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $338,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Armstrong World Industries during the fourth quarter worth about $2,326,000. Principal Securities Inc. raised its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 11.1% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 2,751 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $389,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA raised its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 8.0% in the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 6,184 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $874,000 after acquiring an additional 456 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 11.4% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,591 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $209,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 7.9% in the fourth quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 7,565 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 555 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.93% of the company's stock.

Armstrong World Industries Stock Up 0.6%

AWI stock traded up $0.87 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $154.93. 95,564 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 274,669. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.64. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $110.68 and a 1-year high of $164.40. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $144.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $147.65. The company has a market cap of $6.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.36.

Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The construction company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.11. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 17.95% and a return on equity of 40.67%. The company had revenue of $382.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $370.71 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.38 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 17.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Armstrong World Industries, Inc. will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 8th were given a dividend of $0.308 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 8th. This represents a $1.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. Armstrong World Industries's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.68%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AWI has been the topic of several analyst reports. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $162.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Armstrong World Industries from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $150.00 to $158.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $157.57.

Armstrong World Industries Company Profile

Armstrong World Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas. It operates through Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segments. The company offers mineral fiber, fiberglass wool, metal, wood, felt, wood fiber, and glass-reinforced-gypsum; ceiling component products, such as ceiling perimeters and trims, as well as grid products that support drywall ceiling systems; ceilings, walls, and facades for use in commercial settings; and manufactures ceiling suspension system (grid) products.