BWXT vs. NDSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	BWXT	NDSN
Company Name	BWX Technologies, Inc.	Nordson Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Machinery
Market Capitalization	16.16 billion USD	12.52 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	August 2, 2010	March 18, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BWXT and NDSN 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BWXT	NDSN
5-Day Price Return	-1.54%	4.49%
13-Week Price Return	65.06%	9.15%
26-Week Price Return	56.70%	2.92%
52-Week Price Return	81.78%	-4.92%
Month-to-Date Return	16.34%	3.44%
Year-to-Date Return	58.69%	5.90%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.59M	0.33M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.21M	0.40M
3-Month Volatility	45.87%	27.13%
Beta	0.76	0.98

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BWXT

26.61%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: -6.24%

In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, BWXT’s Return on Equity of 26.61% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NDSN

15.37%

Machinery Industry

Max: 34.68%
Q3: 19.06%
Median: 13.13%
Q1: 8.53%
Min: -4.87%

NDSN’s Return on Equity of 15.37% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BWXT

10.28%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

A Net Profit Margin of 10.28% places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

NDSN

16.51%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.74%
Q3: 11.24%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 5.38%
Min: -1.11%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.51% places NDSN in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BWXT

13.54%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

An Operating Profit Margin of 13.54% places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

NDSN

24.24%

Machinery Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 16.15%
Median: 11.27%
Q1: 7.72%
Min: -4.91%

An Operating Profit Margin of 24.24% places NDSN in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BWXT	NDSN
Return on Equity (TTM)	26.61%	15.37%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.37%	7.72%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	10.28%	16.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.54%	24.24%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	24.26%	54.78%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BWXT

1.69

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

BWXT’s Current Ratio of 1.69 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NDSN

2.56

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.32
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.78

NDSN’s Current Ratio of 2.56 is in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BWXT

1.29

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

BWXT’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.29. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

NDSN

0.75

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.44
Q1: 0.26
Min: 0.00

NDSN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.75 is typical for the Machinery industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BWXT

93.87

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
Min: -7.63

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 93.87, BWXT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

NDSN

7.97

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 33.79
Median: 13.87
Q1: 7.97
Min: -1.43

NDSN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.97 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BWXT	NDSN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.69	2.56
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.60	1.46
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.29	0.75
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	93.87	7.97

Growth

Revenue Growth

BWXT vs. NDSN: 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

BWXT vs. NDSN: 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)

BWXT

0.56%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BWXT’s Dividend Yield of 0.56% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NDSN

1.40%

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.32%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.87%
Q1: 1.09%
Min: 0.00%

NDSN’s Dividend Yield of 1.40% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BWXT

30.84%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BWXT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.84% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NDSN

38.65%

Machinery Industry

Max: 202.17%
Q3: 98.65%
Median: 55.54%
Q1: 29.03%
Min: 0.00%

NDSN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 38.65% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BWXT	NDSN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.56%	1.40%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	30.84%	38.65%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BWXT

54.81

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

A P/E Ratio of 54.81 places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NDSN

27.64

Machinery Industry

Max: 53.66
Q3: 31.29
Median: 22.00
Q1: 16.18
Min: 7.00

NDSN’s P/E Ratio of 27.64 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BWXT

5.63

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

BWXT’s P/S Ratio of 5.63 is in the upper echelon for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

NDSN

4.56

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 2.72
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.24

NDSN’s P/S Ratio of 4.56 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery 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.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BWXT

11.11

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

BWXT’s P/B Ratio of 11.11 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense 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.

NDSN

3.64

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.23
Q3: 3.90
Median: 2.52
Q1: 1.47
Min: 0.49

NDSN’s P/B Ratio of 3.64 is within the conventional range for the Machinery industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

BWXT vs. NDSN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BWXT	NDSN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	54.81	27.64
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.63	4.56
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	11.11	3.64
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	43.85	26.85