SHW vs. WLK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at SHW and WLK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | SHW | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Sherwin-Williams Company | Westlake Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals |
| Market Capitalization | 91.54 billion USD | 10.61 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | August 12, 2004 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of SHW and WLK 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 | SHW | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.43% | -3.26% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.42% | 3.52% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.66% | -26.50% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 3.13% | -43.72% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.96% | 4.35% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.00% | -27.82% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.15M | 1.23M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.70M | 1.25M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.75% | 48.40% |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.96 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
SHW
60.82%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- 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.
WLK
-0.64%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -11.86%
WLK has a negative Return on Equity of -0.64%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
SHW
11.03%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
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.
WLK
-0.57%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
WLK has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.57%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
SHW
14.21%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
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.
WLK
0.89%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
WLK’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.89% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | SHW | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 60.82% | -0.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.43% | -0.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.03% | -0.57% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.21% | 0.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.87% | 11.20% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
SHW
0.78
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
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.
WLK
2.47
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
WLK’s Current Ratio of 2.47 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals 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)
SHW
2.43
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- 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.
WLK
0.46
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
WLK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.46 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
SHW
9.47
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- 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.
WLK
157.33
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- Min
- -9.39
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 157.33, WLK demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | SHW | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 2.47 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.48 | 1.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.43 | 0.46 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.47 | 157.33 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
SHW
0.83%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
SHW’s Dividend Yield of 0.83% 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.
WLK
2.53%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
WLK’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
SHW
29.89%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- 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.
WLK
43.85%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- Min
- 0.00%
WLK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.85% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | SHW | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.83% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 29.89% | 43.85% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
SHW
35.82
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
A P/E Ratio of 35.82 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.
WLK
--
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
P/E Ratio data for WLK is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
SHW
3.95
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
SHW’s P/S Ratio of 3.95 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.
WLK
0.91
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
WLK’s P/S Ratio of 0.91 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
SHW
19.55
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- 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.
WLK
0.95
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.30
WLK’s P/B Ratio of 0.95 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals 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 | SHW | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.82 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.95 | 0.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 19.55 | 0.95 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 37.91 | 26.05 |