ASH vs. RPM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASH and RPM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
RPM’s market capitalization of 14.56 billion USD is significantly greater than ASH’s 2.45 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
RPM carries a higher beta at 1.06, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while ASH (beta: 0.51) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | ASH | RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ashland Inc. | RPM International Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| CEO | Guillermo Novo | Frank C. Sullivan |
| Price | 53.68 USD | 113.36 USD |
| Market Cap | 2.45 billion USD | 14.56 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.51 | 1.06 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | March 17, 1980 | March 17, 1980 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASH and RPM 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASH
-4.55%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 34.45%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 7.65%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -12.04%
ASH has a negative Return on Equity of -4.55%. 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.
RPM
24.40%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 34.45%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 7.65%
- Q1
- 2.96%
- Min
- -12.04%
In the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, RPM’s Return on Equity of 24.40% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ASH
-1.19%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 5.25%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- -8.62%
ASH has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -1.19%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
RPM
13.53%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 5.25%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- -8.62%
In the upper quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, RPM’s Return on Invested Capital of 13.53% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ASH
-6.41%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 23.23%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 5.14%
- Q1
- 0.64%
- Min
- -8.93%
ASH has a negative Net Profit Margin of -6.41%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
RPM
8.82%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 23.23%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 5.14%
- Q1
- 0.64%
- Min
- -8.93%
RPM’s Net Profit Margin of 8.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
ASH
-7.44%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 10.07%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -7.44%
ASH has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -7.44%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
RPM
12.12%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 10.07%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -7.44%
RPM’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.12% is around the midpoint for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASH | RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -4.55% | 24.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -2.39% | 9.72% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -1.19% | 13.53% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -6.41% | 8.82% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -7.44% | 12.12% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.28% | 41.09% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASH
2.32
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.95
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.77
ASH’s Current Ratio of 2.32 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
RPM
2.22
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.95
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.77
RPM’s Current Ratio of 2.22 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASH
0.58
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.01
ASH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 is typical for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
RPM
0.90
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.01
RPM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.90 is typical for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASH
-3.09
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.69
- Q3
- 9.06
- Median
- 5.24
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -3.09
ASH has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -3.09. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
RPM
9.04
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.69
- Q3
- 9.06
- Median
- 5.24
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -3.09
RPM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.04 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASH | RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.32 | 2.22 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.15 | 1.38 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.58 | 0.90 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.28 | 0.36 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 31.40 | 2.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -3.09 | 9.04 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASH and RPM. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASH
3.04%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.19%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.46%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.04%, ASH offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Chemicals - Specialty industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
RPM
1.76%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.19%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.46%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
RPM’s Dividend Yield of 1.76% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals - Specialty industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASH
-61.60%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 163.70%
- Q3
- 57.04%
- Median
- 30.02%
- Q1
- 12.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASH has a negative Dividend Payout Ratio of -61.60%. This typically means the company paid a dividend despite reporting a net loss, a situation that may signal financial instability.
RPM
38.75%
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 163.70%
- Q3
- 57.04%
- Median
- 30.02%
- Q1
- 12.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
RPM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 38.75% is within the typical range for the Chemicals - Specialty industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASH | RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.04% | 1.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | -61.60% | 38.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASH
-20.18
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 56.68
- Q3
- 33.75
- Median
- 23.45
- Q1
- 16.09
- Min
- 7.50
ASH has a negative P/E Ratio of -20.18. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
RPM
22.47
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 56.68
- Q3
- 33.75
- Median
- 23.45
- Q1
- 16.09
- Min
- 7.50
RPM’s P/E Ratio of 22.47 is within the middle range for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASH
-1.06
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.16
ASH has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -1.06. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
RPM
213.26
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.64
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.16
RPM’s Forward PEG Ratio of 213.26 is exceptionally high for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASH
1.26
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.76
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.16
ASH’s P/S Ratio of 1.26 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
RPM
1.99
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.76
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.89
- Min
- 0.16
RPM’s P/S Ratio of 1.99 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASH
0.99
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.35
ASH’s P/B Ratio of 0.99 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals - Specialty 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.
RPM
5.41
Chemicals - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 6.73
- Q3
- 3.78
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.35
RPM’s P/B Ratio of 5.41 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals - Specialty industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASH | RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -20.18 | 22.47 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -1.06 | 213.26 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 1.26 | 1.99 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 0.99 | 5.41 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 57.04 | 25.75 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 89.81 | 15.57 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 1.93 | 2.29 |