HWM vs. HXL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HWM and HXL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HWM | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Howmet Aerospace Inc. | Hexcel Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 76.29 billion USD | 5.15 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 1, 2016 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HWM and HXL 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | HWM | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.39% | 4.98% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.52% | 12.90% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 45.88% | 18.13% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 86.84% | 5.79% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.56% | 3.17% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 73.04% | 3.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.07M | 0.93M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.86M | 1.06M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.35% | 24.31% |
| Beta | 1.34 | 1.07 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HWM
29.58%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.58% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
HXL
5.67%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
HXL’s Return on Equity of 5.67% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
HWM
18.09%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
HXL
4.69%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HXL’s Net Profit Margin of 4.69% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
HWM
24.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.28% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
HXL
7.25%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
HXL’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.25% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | HWM | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.58% | 5.67% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.03% | 3.14% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.09% | 4.69% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.28% | 7.25% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.69% | 23.39% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HWM
2.31
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.31 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
HXL
2.69
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
HXL’s Current Ratio of 2.69 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
HWM
0.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
HXL
0.53
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
HXL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.53 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense 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 (TTM)
HWM
7.92
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
HWM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
HXL
5.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
HXL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.96 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | HWM | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.31 | 2.69 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 1.26 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.65 | 0.53 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.92 | 5.96 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HWM
0.20%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Yield of 0.20% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
HXL
1.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
HXL’s Dividend Yield of 1.00% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
HWM
10.74%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.74% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HXL
58.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
HXL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.86% is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | HWM | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.20% | 1.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 10.74% | 58.86% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HWM
54.68
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
HWM’s P/E Ratio of 54.68 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
HXL
58.61
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
A P/E Ratio of 58.61 places HXL 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
HWM
9.89
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
With a P/S Ratio of 9.89, HWM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
HXL
2.75
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
HXL’s P/S Ratio of 2.75 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
HWM
14.90
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
HWM’s P/B Ratio of 14.90 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.
HXL
2.92
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
HXL’s P/B Ratio of 2.92 is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | HWM | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 54.68 | 58.61 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.89 | 2.75 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.90 | 2.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 75.04 | 22.89 |