Volatile market conditions create winners and losers, and Owens Corning's (NYSE: OC) latest move will put it in one of those two camps. Does it make sense to take on debt to buy a company in a declining market? That's the question facing Owens Corning investors as they digest the agreement to acquire residential door company Masonite International (NYSE: DOOR). I think the answer is "yes," and it's based on the company's history of cash generation.

You don't have to buy technology stocks to enjoy soaring returns, and Owens Corning is far from a high-tech company. The building and construction materials company operates three segments with a heavy focus on the residential housing market.

The roofing segment makes laminate and strip asphalt roofing shingles. Its demand is driven by residential repair and remodeling work, but it is also exposed to new housing construction and has highly variable sales caused by storms and extreme weather events.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com