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DOW vs. IFF: Dow vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances Stock Comparison

How do Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) both belong to the Chemicals industry, though DOW is classified under Commodity Chemicals while IFF falls under Specialty Chemicals.

Company profile comparison for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Profile ItemDOWIFF
NameDow Inc.International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS Industry GroupMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsChemicals
GICS Sub-IndustryCommodity ChemicalsSpecialty Chemicals
Market Capitalization22.73 billion USD20.69 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 20, 2019December 17, 1974
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

DOW
IFF
GSPC
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
Total Return (1Y)46.93%40.13%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-8.46%8.28%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-6.94%-8.71%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

DOW
IFF
GSPC
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)41.81%36.26%
Beta (5Y)0.440.88
Max Drawdown (5Y)-64.37%-56.66%
Avg. Volume (3M)8.52M1.88M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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DOW and IFF are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.020.99
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.621.71

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Dow (DOW) at -3.24% and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at -7.37% report negative ROE values. Negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so both readings need extra context.

DOW

Materials industry group

-3.24%

Max
52.88%
Q3
19.49%
Median
8.76%
DOW
-3.24%
Q1
-3.41%
Min
-32.81%

IFF

Materials industry group

-7.37%

Max
52.88%
Q3
19.49%
Median
8.76%
Q1
-3.41%
IFF
-7.37%
Min
-32.81%
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their ROE against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Dow (DOW) reports a negative net margin of -2.11%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) reports 1.68%, ranking against industry peers normally.

DOW

Materials industry group

-2.11%

Max
38.66%
Q3
15.98%
Median
5.28%
Q1
0.00%
DOW
-2.11%
Min
-20.40%

IFF

Materials industry group

1.68%

Max
38.66%
Q3
15.98%
Median
5.28%
IFF
1.68%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-20.40%
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their net margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Dow (DOW) at 6.78% and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 9.53% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

DOW

Materials industry group

6.78%

Max
66.70%
Q3
28.92%
Median
12.56%
DOW
6.78%
Q1
3.28%
Min
-14.07%

IFF

Materials industry group

9.53%

Max
66.70%
Q3
28.92%
Median
12.56%
IFF
9.53%
Q1
3.28%
Min
-14.07%
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their operating margin against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
ROE (TTM)-3.24%-7.37%
ROA (TTM)1.87%2.18%
Net Margin (TTM)-2.11%1.68%
Operating Margin (TTM)6.78%9.53%
Gross Margin (TTM)11.01%36.27%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Dow (DOW) at -6.97% and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at -5.17% post bottom-quartile revenue growth versus peers, pointing to weaker demand or pricing momentum than typical rivals.

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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Neither side shows strong earnings momentum: Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at -248.42% sits in the bottom EPS growth quartile, and Dow (DOW) at -335.67% is weaker still, below its industry range.

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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
Revenue Growth (YoY)-6.97%-5.17%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-11.11%-4.34%
EPS Growth (YoY)-335.67%-248.42%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)----

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Dow (DOW) at 1.76 and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.87 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

DOW

Materials industry group

1.76

Max
5.96
Q3
3.30
Median
2.24
DOW
1.76
Q1
1.45
Min
0.16

IFF

Materials industry group

1.87

Max
5.96
Q3
3.30
Median
2.24
IFF
1.87
Q1
1.45
Min
0.16
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their current ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 0.51 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Dow (DOW) at 1.08 uses more debt funding than most peers.

DOW

Materials industry group

1.08

Max
1.98
DOW
1.08
Q3
0.89
Median
0.47
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00

IFF

Materials industry group

0.51

Max
1.98
Q3
0.89
IFF
0.51
Median
0.47
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.761.87
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.080.51
Net Debt / EBITDA3.213.51

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Dow (DOW) at 4.38% and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.85% offer top-quartile dividend income relative to share price within their industries.

DOW

Materials industry group

4.38%

Max
4.52%
DOW
4.38%
Q3
1.85%
Median
0.38%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

IFF

Materials industry group

1.85%

Max
4.52%
IFF
1.85%
Q3
1.85%
Median
0.38%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Dow (DOW) reports payout ratio above 100% at 700.00%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) reports 62.26%, ranking against industry peers normally.

DOW

Materials industry group

700.00%

DOW
700.00%
Max
83.62%
Q3
41.37%
Median
9.54%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

IFF

Materials industry group

62.26%

Max
83.62%
IFF
62.26%
Q3
41.37%
Median
9.54%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
Dividend Yield (TTM)4.38%1.85%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)700.00%62.26%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) trades at 236.06 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Dow (DOW) has no P/E ratio this period.

DOW

Materials industry group

--

Max
59.00
Q3
32.93
Median
18.82
Q1
11.96
Min
3.93
DOW
--

IFF

Materials industry group

236.06

IFF
236.06
Max
59.00
Q3
32.93
Median
18.82
Q1
11.96
Min
3.93
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): DOW does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; IFF is benchmarked against the Materials industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Dow (DOW) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.91 prices around its industry’s middle — DOW costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

DOW

Materials industry group

0.53

Max
9.62
Q3
4.34
Median
1.87
Q1
0.73
DOW
0.53
Min
0.00

IFF

Materials industry group

1.91

Max
9.62
Q3
4.34
IFF
1.91
Median
1.87
Q1
0.73
Min
0.00
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Dow (DOW) at 1.41 and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) at 1.56 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

DOW

Materials industry group

1.41

Max
6.59
Q3
3.55
Median
2.08
DOW
1.41
Q1
1.26
Min
-0.17

IFF

Materials industry group

1.56

Max
6.59
Q3
3.55
Median
2.08
IFF
1.56
Q1
1.26
Min
-0.17
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Dow (DOW) vs. Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Materials industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Dow (DOW) and Intl Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
MetricDOWIFF
P/E Ratio (TTM)--236.06
P/S Ratio (TTM)0.531.91
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.411.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.95%-10.66%