AWI
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
Construction
Market Cap$7.09B
5Y Perf.+120.5%
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Stock Comparison
AWI vs JCI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
JCI
Johnson Controls International plc
Construction
Market Cap$87.61B
5Y Perf.+355.7%
AWI vs JCI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | AWI | JCI |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Construction | Construction |
| Market Cap | $7.09B | $87.61B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.65B | $12.49B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $306M | $2.36B |
| Gross Margin | 40.3% | 71.5% |
| Operating Margin | 27.5% | 25.0% |
| Forward P/E | 20.0x | 30.2x |
| Total Debt | $532M | $11.19B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $113M | $379M |
AWI vs JCI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
AWI
JCI
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong World Ind… (AWI) | 100 | 220.5 | +120.5% |
| Johnson Controls In… (JCI) | 100 | 455.7 | +355.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AWI vs JCI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AWI leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Johnson Controls International plc is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
AWI
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
AWI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 8 yrs, beta 0.82, yield 0.8%
- Rev growth 12.1%, EPS growth 17.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 9.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.82, Low D/E 59.0%, current ratio 1.46x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
JCI
Johnson Controls International plc
The Long-Run Compounder
JCI is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 354.6% 10Y total return vs AWI's 308.7%
- 18.9% margin vs AWI's 18.6%
- +62.9% vs AWI's +11.6%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AWI | 12.1% revenue growth vs JCI's 2.8% |
| Value | AWI | Lower P/E (20.0x vs 30.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | JCI | 18.9% margin vs AWI's 18.6% |
| Stability / Safety | AWI | Beta 0.82 vs JCI's 0.97, lower leverage |
| Dividends | AWI | 0.8% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs JCI's 1.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | JCI | +62.9% vs AWI's +11.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AWI | 16.0% ROA vs JCI's 6.0%, ROIC 24.9% vs 8.5% |
AWI vs JCI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
AWI vs JCI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAWILAGGINGJCI
JCIJohnson Controls Inte…
1leads
AWIArmstrong World Indus…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs JCIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
AWI4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AWI8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
JCI4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — AWI and JCI each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
JCI is the larger business by revenue, generating $12.5B annually — 7.6x AWI's $1.6B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 18.9% (JCI) to 18.6% (AWI). On growth, AWI holds the edge at +7.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | AWIArmstrong World I… | JCIJohnson Controls … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.6B | $12.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $603M | $3.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $306M | $2.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $247M | $1.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +40.3% | +71.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +27.5% | +25.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +18.6% | +18.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +15.0% | +11.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.1% | -2.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -1.9% | +45.8% |
Evenly matched — AWI and JCI each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
AWI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 23.5x trailing earnings, AWI trades at a 57% valuation discount to JCI's 54.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, AWI's 17.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than JCI's 26.7x.
| Metric | AWIArmstrong World I… | JCIJohnson Controls … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.1B | $87.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.5B | $98.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 23.48x | 54.43x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.01x | 30.20x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.12x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.34x | 26.65x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.38x | 3.71x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 8.05x | 7.23x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 28.83x | 90.79x |
AWI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AWI leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AWI delivers a 34.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $35 in annual profit, vs $17 for JCI. AWI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.59x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to JCI's 0.86x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AWI scores 9/9 vs JCI's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | AWIArmstrong World I… | JCIJohnson Controls … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +34.8% | +16.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +16.0% | +6.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +24.9% | +8.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +26.5% | +9.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 9 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.59x | 0.86x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $419M | $10.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $113M | $379M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $532M | $11.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 13.31x | 57.59x |
AWI leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
JCI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in JCI five years ago would be worth $23,171 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,710 for AWI. Over the past 12 months, JCI leads with a +62.9% total return vs AWI's +11.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AWI at 36.4% vs JCI's 32.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AWIArmstrong World I… | JCIJohnson Controls … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -15.4% | +17.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +11.6% | +62.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +153.5% | +134.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +67.1% | +131.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +308.7% | +354.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +36.4% | +32.8% |
JCI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AWI and JCI 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 JCI's 0.97 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. JCI currently trades 97.2% from its 52-week high vs AWI's 80.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AWIArmstrong World I… | JCIJohnson Controls … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.82x | 0.97x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $206.08 | $147.32 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $148.06 | $87.77 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +80.7% | +97.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 37.8 | 60.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 509K | 3.3M |
Evenly matched — AWI and JCI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — AWI and JCI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AWI as "Buy" and JCI as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 18.8% upside for AWI (target: $198) vs -3.6% for JCI (target: $138). For income investors, JCI offers the higher dividend yield at 1.04% vs AWI's 0.76%.
| Metric | AWIArmstrong World I… | JCIJohnson Controls … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $197.50 | $138.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 26 | 45 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | +1.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 8 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.27 | $1.49 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.8% | +6.8% |
Evenly matched — AWI and JCI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
AWI leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). JCI leads in 1 (Total Returns). 3 tied.
Best OverallArmstrong World Industries,… (AWI)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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AWI vs JCI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AWI or JCI 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 2. 8% for Johnson Controls International plc (JCI). Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI) offers the better valuation at 23. 5x trailing P/E (20. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI) a "Buy" — based on 26 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 — AWI or JCI?
On trailing P/E, Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the cheapest at 23. 5x versus Johnson Controls International plc at 54. 4x. On forward P/E, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 20. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AWI or JCI?
Over the past 5 years, Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) delivered a total return of +131.
7%, compared to +67. 1% for Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JCI returned +354. 6% versus AWI's +308. 7%. 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 — AWI or JCI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 82β versus Johnson Controls International plc's 0. 97β — meaning JCI is approximately 19% 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 86% for Johnson Controls International plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AWI or JCI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is pulling ahead at 12. 1% versus 2. 8% for Johnson Controls International plc (JCI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. grew EPS 17. 6% year-over-year, compared to 4. 4% for Johnson Controls International plc. 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 — AWI or JCI?
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 0% net margin versus 13. 9% for Johnson Controls International plc — 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 12. 0% for JCI. 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 AWI or JCI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
(AWI) trades at 20. 0x forward P/E versus 30. 2x for Johnson Controls International plc — 10. 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 — AWI or JCI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) offers the highest yield at 1. 0%, versus 0. 8% for Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI).
09Is AWI or JCI 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%, JCI: +354. 6%), 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 AWI and JCI?
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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Revenue Growth>
%
(AWI: 7.1% · JCI: -202.1%)Net Margin>
%
(AWI: 18.6% · JCI: 18.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
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