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MAS vs AWI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Construction
MAS vs AWI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Construction | Construction |
| Market Cap | $14.51B | $7.09B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $7.68B | $1.65B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $837M | $306M |
| Gross Margin | 35.4% | 40.3% |
| Operating Margin | 16.8% | 27.5% |
| Forward P/E | 16.9x | 20.0x |
| Total Debt | $3.44B | $532M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $647M | $113M |
MAS vs AWI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masco Corporation (MAS) | 100 | 154.2 | +54.2% |
| Armstrong World Ind… (AWI) | 100 | 220.5 | +120.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MAS vs AWI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MAS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 12 yrs, beta 1.28, yield 1.7%
- Beta 1.28, yield 1.7%, current ratio 1.81x
- Lower P/E (16.9x vs 20.0x)
AWI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 12.1%, EPS growth 17.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 9.5%
- 308.7% 10Y total return vs MAS's 152.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.82, Low D/E 59.0%, current ratio 1.46x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 12.1% revenue growth vs MAS's -3.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.9x vs 20.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 18.6% margin vs MAS's 10.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.82 vs MAS's 1.28, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs AWI's 0.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +20.9% vs AWI's +11.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 16.0% ROA vs MAS's 15.9%, ROIC 24.9% vs 35.4% |
MAS vs AWI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MAS vs AWI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AWI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MAS is the larger business by revenue, generating $7.7B annually — 4.7x AWI's $1.6B. AWI is the more profitable business, keeping 18.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MAS's 10.9%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $7.7B | $1.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.4B | $603M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $837M | $306M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $943M | $247M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.4% | +40.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.8% | +27.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.9% | +18.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.3% | +15.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.5% | +7.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +20.7% | -1.9% |
Valuation Metrics
MAS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 18.6x trailing earnings, MAS trades at a 21% valuation discount to AWI's 23.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MAS's 12.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AWI's 17.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $14.5B | $7.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $17.3B | $7.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.64x | 23.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.86x | 20.01x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.76x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.19x | 17.34x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.92x | 4.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 201.46x | 8.05x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 16.76x | 28.83x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AWI leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MAS delivers a 8.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $35 for AWI. AWI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.59x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MAS's 45.81x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AWI scores 9/9 vs MAS's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.0% | +34.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +15.9% | +16.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +35.4% | +24.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +35.9% | +26.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 45.81x | 0.59x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.8B | $419M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $647M | $113M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.4B | $532M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 12.60x | 13.31x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AWI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AWI five years ago would be worth $16,710 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,754 for MAS. Over the past 12 months, MAS leads with a +20.9% total return vs AWI's +11.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AWI at 36.4% vs MAS's 11.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.1% | -15.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +20.9% | +11.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +40.1% | +153.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +17.5% | +67.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +152.3% | +308.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +11.9% | +36.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MAS and AWI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AWI is the less volatile stock with a 0.82 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MAS's 1.28 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MAS currently trades 90.9% from its 52-week high vs AWI's 80.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.28x | 0.82x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $79.19 | $206.08 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $58.16 | $148.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.9% | +80.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.2 | 37.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.7M | 509K |
Analyst Outlook
MAS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MAS as "Buy" and AWI as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 18.8% upside for AWI (target: $198) vs 14.5% for MAS (target: $82). For income investors, MAS offers the higher dividend yield at 1.73% vs AWI's 0.76%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $82.36 | $197.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 38 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.7% | +0.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 12 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.24 | $1.27 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.9% | +1.8% |
AWI leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). MAS leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
MAS vs AWI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MAS or AWI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the stronger pick with 12. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 4% for Masco Corporation (MAS). Masco Corporation (MAS) offers the better valuation at 18. 6x 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.
02Which has the better valuation — MAS or AWI?
On trailing P/E, Masco Corporation (MAS) is the cheapest at 18.
6x versus Armstrong World Industries, Inc. at 23. 5x. On forward P/E, Masco Corporation is actually cheaper at 16. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MAS or AWI?
Over the past 5 years, Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) delivered a total return of +67. 1%, compared to +17. 5% for Masco Corporation (MAS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AWI returned +308. 7% versus MAS's +152. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — MAS or AWI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 82β versus Masco Corporation's 1. 28β — meaning MAS is approximately 57% more volatile than AWI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 59% versus 46% for Masco Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MAS or AWI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is pulling ahead at 12. 1% versus -3. 4% for Masco Corporation (MAS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. grew EPS 17. 6% year-over-year, compared to 2. 7% for Masco Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, AWI leads at 9. 5% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — MAS or AWI?
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 0% net margin versus 10. 7% for Masco Corporation — meaning it keeps 19. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AWI leads at 26. 6% versus 16. 8% for MAS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AWI leads at 40. 6%, 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.
07Is MAS or AWI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Masco Corporation (MAS) trades at 16.
9x forward P/E versus 20. 0x for Armstrong World Industries, Inc. — 3. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AWI: 18. 8% to $197. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — MAS or AWI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Masco Corporation (MAS) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 8% for Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI).
09Is MAS or AWI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 82), 0. 8% yield, +308. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AWI: +308. 7%, MAS: +152. 3%), 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.
10What are the main differences between MAS and AWI?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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.
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