CE vs. DOW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 4, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	CE	DOW
Company Name	Celanese Corporation	Dow Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	4.64 billion USD	16.36 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 21, 2005	March 20, 2019
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CE and DOW 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CE	DOW
5-Day Price Return	-0.71%	-0.86%
13-Week Price Return	-23.95%	-13.41%
26-Week Price Return	-28.87%	-35.55%
52-Week Price Return	-69.79%	-58.37%
Month-to-Date Return	-11.65%	-6.90%
Year-to-Date Return	-39.20%	-42.86%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.16M	14.03M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.00M	14.04M
3-Month Volatility	55.14%	55.22%
Beta	1.18	0.87

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CE

-28.28%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.53%
Q1: 1.35%
Min: -11.86%

CE has a negative Return on Equity of -28.28%. 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.

DOW

-5.63%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.53%
Q1: 1.35%
Min: -11.86%

DOW has a negative Return on Equity of -5.63%. 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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CE

-16.30%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 20.20%
Q3: 9.15%
Median: 3.94%
Q1: 0.60%
Min: -10.43%

CE has a negative Net Profit Margin of -16.30%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

DOW

-2.35%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 20.20%
Q3: 9.15%
Median: 3.94%
Q1: 0.60%
Min: -10.43%

DOW has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.35%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CE

-7.61%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.82%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -7.61%

CE has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -7.61%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

DOW

-0.22%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.82%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -7.61%

DOW has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.22%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CE	DOW
Return on Equity (TTM)	-28.28%	-5.63%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-6.77%	-1.68%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-16.30%	-2.35%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-7.61%	-0.22%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	21.85%	7.93%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CE

2.05

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.69
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.75

CE’s Current Ratio of 2.05 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

DOW

1.69

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.69
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.75

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

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CE

2.45

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.53
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.69
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.45, CE 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.

DOW

0.97

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.53
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.69
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

DOW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.97 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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CE

-2.38

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 8.84
Q1: 2.54
Min: -9.39

CE has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.38. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

DOW

3.42

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 8.84
Q1: 2.54
Min: -9.39

DOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CE	DOW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.05	1.69
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.22	1.05
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.45	0.97
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-2.38	3.42

Growth

Revenue Growth

CE vs. DOW: 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

CE vs. DOW: 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)

CE

3.42%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.67%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.36%
Min: 0.00%

CE’s Dividend Yield of 3.42% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

DOW

12.06%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.67%
Median: 2.44%
Q1: 1.36%
Min: 0.00%

DOW’s Dividend Yield of 12.06% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CE

25.08%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 108.95%
Median: 57.38%
Q1: 27.28%
Min: 0.00%

CE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 25.08% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

DOW

126.09%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 108.95%
Median: 57.38%
Q1: 27.28%
Min: 0.00%

DOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 126.09% is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CE	DOW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.42%	12.06%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	25.08%	126.09%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CE

Chemicals Industry

Max: 49.43
Q3: 32.03
Median: 21.32
Q1: 14.93
Min: 8.66

P/E Ratio data for CE is currently unavailable.

DOW

Chemicals Industry

Max: 49.43
Q3: 32.03
Median: 21.32
Q1: 14.93
Min: 8.66

P/E Ratio data for DOW is currently unavailable.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CE

0.47

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.15

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, CE’s P/S Ratio of 0.47 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

DOW

0.39

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.90
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.15

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, DOW’s P/S Ratio of 0.39 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CE

1.15

Chemicals Industry

Max: 5.01
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.95
Min: 0.30

CE’s P/B Ratio of 1.15 is within the conventional range for the Chemicals 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.

DOW

1.09

Chemicals Industry

Max: 5.01
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.95
Min: 0.30

DOW’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is within the conventional range for the Chemicals 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CE	DOW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.47	0.39
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.15	1.09
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	6.59	73.02