3 Stocks Pushing The Materials & Construction Industry Higher

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) steady at 13,953 as of Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, 11:50 AM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,129 issues advancing vs. 1,699 declining with 163 unchanged.

The Materials & Construction industry currently sits down 0.6% versus the S&P 500, which is down 0.0%. A company within the industry that increased today was James Hardie Industries (JHX), up 2.2%. On the negative front, top decliners within the industry include McDermott International (MDR), down 4.4%, Louisiana-Pacific (LPX), down 3.1%, Vulcan Materials Company (VMC), down 2.4% and Plum Creek Timber (PCL), down 1.6%.

TheStreet Ratings group would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the industry higher today:

3. Masco Corporation (MAS) is one of the companies pushing the Materials & Construction industry higher today. As of noon trading, Masco Corporation is up $0.17 (0.9%) to $18.45 on average volume Thus far, 1.7 million shares of Masco Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 4.1 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $18.24-$18.64 after having opened the day at $18.32 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $18.28.

Masco Corporation manufactures, distributes, and installs home improvement and building products primarily in North America and Europe. Masco Corporation has a market cap of $6.5 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector. Shares are up 8.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 3 analysts that rate Masco Corporation a buy, 2 analysts rate it a sell, and 9 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Masco Corporation as a hold. Among the primary strengths of the company is its solid stock price performance. At the same time, however, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income, disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow. Get the full Masco Corporation Ratings Report now.

It's Official: Action Alerts PLUS beats the S&P 500 with Dividends Reinvested! Cramer and Link were up 16.72% in 2012. Were you? See what they are trading for 14-days FREE

2. As of noon trading, KB Home (KBH) is up $0.56 (3.0%) to $19.18 on heavy volume Thus far, 6.2 million shares of KB Home exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 5.2 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $18.64-$19.57 after having opened the day at $18.88 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $18.62.

KB Home operates as a homebuilding and financial services company in the United States. KB Home has a market cap of $1.4 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector. Shares are up 14.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 3 analysts that rate KB Home a buy, 3 analysts rate it a sell, and 10 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates KB Home as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, solid stock price performance and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally higher debt management risk and poor profit margins. Get the full KB Home Ratings Report now.

It's Official: Action Alerts PLUS beats the S&P 500 with Dividends Reinvested! Cramer and Link were up 16.72% in 2012. Were you? See what they are trading for 14-days FREE

1. As of noon trading, Cemex S.A.B. de C.V (CX) is up $0.07 (0.6%) to $11.18 on light volume Thus far, 4.2 million shares of Cemex S.A.B. de C.V exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 12.2 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $11.05-$11.20 after having opened the day at $11.15 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $11.11.

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, distribution, and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and other construction materials worldwide. Cemex S.A.B. de C.V has a market cap of $11.6 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector. Shares are up 8.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 5 analysts that rate Cemex S.A.B. de C.V a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 8 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Cemex S.A.B. de C.V as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance and compelling growth in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company's profit margins have been poor overall. Get the full Cemex S.A.B. de C.V Ratings Report now.

It's Official: Action Alerts PLUS beats the S&P 500 with Dividends Reinvested! Cramer and Link were up 16.72% in 2012. Were you? See what they are trading for 14-days FREE

If you are interested in one of these 3 stocks, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the materials & construction industry could consider SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) while those bearish on the materials & construction industry could consider ProShares Short Basic Materials Fd (SBM).

A reminder about TheStreet Ratings group: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

For more information on Masco Corporation click any of the following:

• Masco Corporation Stock Price

• Masco Corporation Analyst Ratings

• Masco Corporation Key Stats & Profile

• Masco Corporation Earnings

• Masco Corporation Ratio Comparison

• Masco Corporation Growth Rates

• Masco Corporation Balance Sheet

• Masco Corporation Cash Flow

• Masco Corporation Income Statement