JHX vs. SHW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 3, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	JHX	SHW
Company Name	James Hardie Industries plc	The Sherwin-Williams Company
Country	Ireland	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Construction Materials	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	11.39 billion USD	85.25 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	October 22, 2001	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of JHX and SHW 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	JHX	SHW
5-Day Price Return	6.66%	0.96%
13-Week Price Return	-32.84%	0.84%
26-Week Price Return	-24.66%	0.53%
52-Week Price Return	-47.33%	-9.53%
Month-to-Date Return	3.77%	-5.35%
Year-to-Date Return	-41.80%	1.86%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.35M	1.56M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.20M	1.76M
3-Month Volatility	68.36%	21.91%
Beta	1.11	1.23

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

JHX

15.60%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 24.24%
Q3: 15.27%
Median: 10.51%
Q1: 5.28%
Min: -5.22%

In the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry, JHX’s Return on Equity of 15.60% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

SHW

60.82%

Chemicals Industry

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

SHW’s Return on Equity of 60.82% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

JHX

8.75%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 44.75%
Q3: 22.43%
Median: 9.02%
Q1: 4.99%
Min: -4.83%

JHX’s Net Profit Margin of 8.75% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction Materials industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

SHW

11.03%

Chemicals Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 11.03% places SHW in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

JHX

13.85%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 31.89%
Q3: 18.90%
Median: 11.67%
Q1: 8.77%
Min: -2.06%

JHX’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.85% is around the midpoint for the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

SHW

14.21%

Chemicals Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 14.21% places SHW in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	JHX	SHW
Return on Equity (TTM)	15.60%	60.82%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.05%	10.43%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.75%	11.03%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.85%	14.21%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.17%	48.87%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

JHX

3.76

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.14
Q3: 3.18
Median: 2.00
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.76

JHX’s Current Ratio of 3.76 is in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

SHW

0.78

Chemicals Industry

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

SHW’s Current Ratio of 0.78 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

JHX

1.12

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 1.12
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.29
Min: 0.00

JHX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Construction Materials industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.12. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

SHW

2.43

Chemicals Industry

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

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.43, SHW 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.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

JHX

5.36

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 54.89
Q3: 34.24
Median: 7.96
Q1: 4.28
Min: -6.24

JHX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SHW

9.47

Chemicals Industry

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

SHW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	JHX	SHW
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.76	0.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	3.20	0.48
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.12	2.43
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.36	9.47

Growth

Revenue Growth

JHX vs. SHW: 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

JHX vs. SHW: 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)

JHX

0.00%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 2.19%
Q1: 0.85%
Min: 0.00%

JHX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

SHW

0.89%

Chemicals Industry

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

SHW’s Dividend Yield of 0.89% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

JHX

27.21%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 149.16%
Q3: 76.08%
Median: 33.22%
Q1: 14.03%
Min: 0.00%

JHX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 27.21% is within the typical range for the Construction Materials industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SHW

29.89%

Chemicals Industry

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

SHW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.89% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	JHX	SHW
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.89%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	27.21%	29.89%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

JHX

32.43

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 33.62
Q3: 19.63
Median: 12.15
Q1: 7.04
Min: 2.32

A P/E Ratio of 32.43 places JHX in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

SHW

33.62

Chemicals Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 33.62 places SHW in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

JHX

2.84

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 3.73
Q3: 2.10
Median: 1.35
Q1: 0.67
Min: 0.21

JHX’s P/S Ratio of 2.84 is in the upper echelon for the Construction Materials 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.

SHW

3.71

Chemicals Industry

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

SHW’s P/S Ratio of 3.71 is in the upper echelon for the Chemicals 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.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

JHX

5.25

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 4.48
Q3: 2.26
Median: 1.26
Q1: 0.67
Min: 0.11

At 5.25, JHX’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Construction Materials industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

SHW

19.55

Chemicals Industry

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

At 19.55, SHW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Chemicals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

JHX vs. SHW: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	JHX	SHW
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	32.43	33.62
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.84	3.71
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	5.25	19.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	25.04	35.58