Moore Capital Management LP Invests $3.29 Million in Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI)

Moore Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 23,240 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $3,285,000. Moore Capital Management LP owned about 0.05% of Armstrong World Industries as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Madison Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries in the 4th quarter valued at about $75,242,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Armstrong World Industries in the 4th quarter valued at about $71,822,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. boosted its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 140.4% in the 4th quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 666,000 shares of the construction company's stock worth $94,126,000 after buying an additional 389,000 shares during the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. boosted its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 267.1% in the 4th quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 532,602 shares of the construction company's stock worth $75,273,000 after buying an additional 387,537 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 25.4% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 507,843 shares of the construction company's stock worth $71,773,000 after buying an additional 102,895 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.93% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on AWI shares. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Loop Capital lowered their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. StockNews.com cut Armstrong World Industries from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $150.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $157.57.

Armstrong World Industries Trading Up 0.8%

AWI traded up $1.23 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $160.16. The company's stock had a trading volume of 213,620 shares, compared to its average volume of 275,824. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $110.68 and a fifty-two week high of $164.40. The stock has a market cap of $6.96 billion, a PE ratio of 28.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.36. The business's 50-day moving average is $141.38 and its 200-day moving average is $147.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

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

Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 8th will be given a $0.308 dividend. This represents a $1.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 8th. Armstrong World Industries's payout ratio is 19.68%.

About Armstrong World Industries

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.