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ALB vs. WLK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at ALB and WLK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolALBWLK
Company NameAlbemarle CorporationWestlake Corporation
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
Market Capitalization9.19 billion USD10.61 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 22, 1994August 12, 2004
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ALB and WLK 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.

ALB vs. WLK: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolALBWLK
5-Day Price Return-4.06%-3.26%
13-Week Price Return31.87%3.52%
26-Week Price Return-1.43%-26.50%
52-Week Price Return-5.63%-43.72%
Month-to-Date Return15.14%4.35%
Year-to-Date Return-9.25%-27.82%
10-Day Avg. Volume5.29M1.23M
3-Month Avg. Volume4.08M1.25M
3-Month Volatility60.63%48.40%
Beta1.690.96

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.

WLK

-0.64%

Chemicals Industry

Max
26.17%
Q3
13.48%
Median
8.13%
Q1
2.52%
Min
-11.86%

WLK has a negative Return on Equity of -0.64%. 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.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

-0.57%

Chemicals Industry

Max
21.80%
Q3
9.57%
Median
4.44%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-11.30%

WLK has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.57%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

0.89%

Chemicals Industry

Max
27.33%
Q3
13.97%
Median
8.08%
Q1
4.46%
Min
-8.10%

WLK’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.89% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolALBWLK
Return on Equity (TTM)-9.19%-0.64%
Return on Assets (TTM)-5.44%-0.32%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)-18.61%-0.57%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)-20.78%0.89%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)7.76%11.20%

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.

WLK

2.47

Chemicals Industry

Max
3.38
Q3
2.23
Median
1.73
Q1
1.39
Min
0.55

WLK’s Current Ratio of 2.47 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.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

0.46

Chemicals Industry

Max
1.65
Q3
0.94
Median
0.65
Q1
0.41
Min
0.00

WLK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.46 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

157.33

Chemicals Industry

Max
56.43
Q3
26.33
Median
9.38
Q1
3.10
Min
-9.39

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 157.33, WLK demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolALBWLK
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.312.47
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.471.71
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.350.46
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)-6.46157.33

Growth

Revenue Growth

ALB vs. WLK: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ALB vs. WLK: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

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.

WLK

2.53%

Chemicals Industry

Max
6.56%
Q3
4.04%
Median
2.47%
Q1
1.45%
Min
0.00%

WLK’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

43.85%

Chemicals Industry

Max
181.25%
Q3
95.01%
Median
53.52%
Q1
26.59%
Min
0.00%

WLK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.85% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolALBWLK
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.88%2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)192.00%43.85%

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.

WLK

--

Chemicals Industry

Max
42.94
Q3
29.77
Median
20.37
Q1
14.27
Min
6.19

P/E Ratio data for WLK is currently unavailable.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

0.91

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.36
Q3
2.23
Median
1.01
Q1
0.55
Min
0.16

WLK’s P/S Ratio of 0.91 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.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

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.

WLK

0.95

Chemicals Industry

Max
4.92
Q3
2.56
Median
1.54
Q1
0.97
Min
0.30

WLK’s P/B Ratio of 0.95 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.

ALB vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Chemicals industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolALBWLK
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)----
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.840.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)0.720.95
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)25.3526.05