Albemarle (ALB) vs International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has outperformed Albemarle (ALB) over the past year, gaining 37.8% versus a gain of 13.5%. Over five years, IFF leads with a -43.0% price change compared with -55.1% for ALB. International Flavors & Fragrances is the larger company by market cap ($21.46 billion vs $12.13 billion), about 1.8 times the size, while Albemarle is growing revenue faster (-4.4% vs -5.2%).
On valuation, Albemarle trades at a lower forward P/E (9.1x vs 21.2x for International Flavors & Fragrances). International Flavors & Fragrances offers the higher dividend yield (1.90% vs 1.58%). International Flavors & Fragrances converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -3.3% versus -9.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ALB | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $102.75 | $84.11 |
| Market cap | $12.13B | $21.46B |
| 1-day change | -3.39% | +0.23% |
| YTD return | -27.35% | +24.81% |
| 1-year return | +13.50% | +37.84% |
| 5-year return | -55.09% | -43.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 380.56 | 83.28 |
| Forward P/E | 9.10 | 21.21 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.27 | $1.01 |
| Dividend yield | 1.58% | 1.90% |
| Annual dividend | $1.62 | $1.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.14B | $10.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -4.37% | -5.17% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-510.63M | $-359.00M |
| Gross margin | 13.00% | 36.16% |
| Operating margin | -7.14% | -3.51% |
| Net margin | -9.93% | -3.30% |
| 52-week high | $221.00 | $89.32 |
| 52-week low | $88.01 | $59.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -53.51% | -5.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +64.05% | +14.48% |
| Average volume | 2.28M | 1.66M |
| Shares outstanding | 118.01M | 255.15M |
| Employees | 7,800 | 21,500 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Major Chemicals | Major Chemicals |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- IFF has outperformed ALB by 24.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Albemarle trades at a higher earnings multiple (380.6x vs 83.3x trailing P/E).
- International Flavors & Fragrances is more profitable, keeping -3.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -9.9 cents for Albemarle.
About Albemarle
ALB stock →Albemarle Corporation provides energy storage solutions worldwide. It operates through three segments: Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 7,800 employees
About International Flavors & Fragrances
IFF stock →International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food, beverage, health and biosciences, scent, and complementary adjacent products in the United States, and internationally. It operates in through Taste, Food Ingredients, Health & Biosciences, and Scent segments.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 21,500 employees
ALB vs IFF FAQ
Which is bigger, Albemarle or International Flavors & Fragrances?
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $21.46B compared with $12.13B for Albemarle (ALB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALB or IFF?
IFF returned +37.84% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.50% for ALB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALB or IFF?
IFF has the lower trailing P/E at 83.3, versus 380.6 for ALB. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Albemarle or International Flavors & Fragrances?
International Flavors & Fragrances has the higher yield at 1.90%, compared with 1.58% for Albemarle.
Are Albemarle and International Flavors & Fragrances in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.