ALB vs. SHW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALB and SHW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALB | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Albemarle Corporation | The Sherwin-Williams Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals |
| Market Capitalization | 10.32 billion USD | 91.60 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 22, 1994 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALB and SHW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ALB | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 11.07% | 0.97% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 49.14% | 2.25% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.98% | 6.63% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.42% | 1.86% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 29.23% | 11.04% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.86% | 8.08% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.42M | 1.82M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.06M | 1.69M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 61.10% | 23.29% |
| Beta | 1.72 | 1.24 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALB
-9.19%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -11.86%
ALB has a negative Return on Equity of -9.19%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
SHW
60.82%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -11.86%
SHW’s Return on Equity of 60.82% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ALB
-18.61%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
ALB has a negative Net Profit Margin of -18.61%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
SHW
11.03%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.03% places SHW in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ALB
-20.78%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
ALB has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -20.78%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
SHW
14.21%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.21% places SHW in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ALB | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -9.19% | 60.82% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -5.44% | 10.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -18.61% | 11.03% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -20.78% | 14.21% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.76% | 48.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALB
2.31
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
ALB’s Current Ratio of 2.31 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
SHW
0.78
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
SHW’s Current Ratio of 0.78 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ALB
0.35
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, ALB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.35 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
SHW
2.43
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.43, SHW operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Chemicals industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ALB
-6.46
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- Min
- -9.39
ALB has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -6.46. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
SHW
9.47
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- Min
- -9.39
SHW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALB | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.31 | 0.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 0.48 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.35 | 2.43 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -6.46 | 9.47 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALB
3.88%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALB’s Dividend Yield of 3.88% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SHW
0.83%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
SHW’s Dividend Yield of 0.83% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ALB
192.00%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 192.00%, ALB’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
SHW
29.89%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- Min
- 0.00%
SHW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.89% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ALB | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.88% | 0.83% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 192.00% | 29.89% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALB
--
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
P/E Ratio data for ALB is currently unavailable.
SHW
35.82
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
A P/E Ratio of 35.82 places SHW in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ALB
1.84
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
ALB’s P/S Ratio of 1.84 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SHW
3.95
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
SHW’s P/S Ratio of 3.95 is in the upper echelon for the Chemicals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ALB
0.72
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.30
ALB’s P/B Ratio of 0.72 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
SHW
19.55
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.30
At 19.55, SHW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ALB | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 35.82 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.84 | 3.95 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 19.55 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.35 | 37.91 |