Rice Hall James & Associates LLC Has $27.20 Million Stake in Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI)

Rice Hall James & Associates LLC lowered its holdings in Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI - Free Report) by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 206,950 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 7,611 shares during the period. Armstrong World Industries accounts for 1.5% of Rice Hall James & Associates LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC owned about 0.47% of Armstrong World Industries worth $27,199,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. lifted its position in Armstrong World Industries by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 1,151,442 shares of the construction company's stock worth $130,389,000 after acquiring an additional 17,075 shares in the last quarter. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. grew its position in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. now owns 725,613 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $82,168,000 after buying an additional 14,450 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 46.0% during the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 460,568 shares of the construction company's stock worth $52,155,000 after purchasing an additional 145,133 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 35.0% in the second quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 424,315 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $48,049,000 after buying an additional 110,111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 27.8% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 312,475 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $35,385,000 after purchasing an additional 67,954 shares during the period. 98.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Armstrong World Industries Trading Up 0.7 %

Armstrong World Industries stock traded up $1.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $140.59. 210,434 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 310,752. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $131.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $122.69. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $77.73 and a fifty-two week high of $143.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.80, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.14.

Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.06. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 17.95% and a return on equity of 40.67%. The business had revenue of $386.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $386.69 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.60 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Armstrong World Industries, Inc. will post 6.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Armstrong World Industries Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 7th will be issued a $0.308 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 7th. This represents a $1.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.88%. This is an increase from Armstrong World Industries's previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. Armstrong World Industries's payout ratio is currently 19.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on AWI. Loop Capital upped their price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $136.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $121.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $127.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Armstrong World Industries from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Armstrong World Industries presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $140.83.

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.