AMWD vs MAS

For growth investors, Masco Corporation (MAS) is the stronger pick with -3.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 5% for American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD). American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD) offers the better valuation at 6. 4x trailing P/E (16. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Masco Corporation (MAS) a "Buy" — based on 38 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD) is the cheapest at 6.

4x versus Masco Corporation at 18. 2x. On forward P/E, Masco Corporation is actually cheaper at 16. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: American Woodmark Corporation wins at 2. 11x versus Masco Corporation's 3. 33x.

Over the past 5 years, Masco Corporation (MAS) delivered a total return of +16.

1%, compared to -58. 2% for American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MAS returned +153. 1% versus AMWD's -43. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Masco Corporation (MAS) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

28β versus American Woodmark Corporation's 1. 49β — meaning AMWD is approximately 16% more volatile than MAS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 56% versus 46% for Masco Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Masco Corporation (MAS) is pulling ahead at -3.

4% versus -7. 5% for American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Masco Corporation grew EPS 2. 7% year-over-year, compared to -9. 1% for American Woodmark Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, AMWD leads at -2. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Masco Corporation (MAS) is the more profitable company, earning 10.

7% net margin versus 5. 8% for American Woodmark Corporation — meaning it keeps 10. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MAS leads at 16. 8% versus 8. 2% for AMWD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MAS leads at 35. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 11x versus Masco Corporation's 3. 33x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Masco Corporation (MAS) trades at 16. 5x forward P/E versus 16. 9x for American Woodmark Corporation — 0. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MAS: 17. 0% to $82. 36.

In this comparison, MAS (1.

8% yield) pays a dividend. AMWD does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Masco Corporation (MAS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

28), 1. 8% yield, +153. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MAS: +153. 1%, AMWD: -43. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (AMWD (Consumer Cyclical) and MAS (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: AMWD is a small-cap deep-value stock; MAS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. MAS pays a dividend while AMWD does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.