Albemarle (ALB) vs Westlake (WLK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Albemarle (ALB) has outperformed Westlake (WLK) over the past year, gaining 13.5% versus a loss of 23.4%. Over five years, WLK leads with a -37.3% price change compared with -55.1% for ALB. Albemarle is the larger company by market cap ($12.05 billion vs $7.96 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Albemarle trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 21.0x for Westlake). Westlake offers the higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 1.59%). Albemarle converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -9.9% versus -13.5%.
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 | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $102.10 | $62.31 |
| Market cap | $12.05B | $7.96B |
| 1-day change | -0.63% | +1.28% |
| YTD return | -27.35% | -16.80% |
| 1-year return | +13.50% | -23.44% |
| 5-year return | -55.09% | -37.29% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 378.15 | — |
| Forward P/E | 9.04 | 21.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.27 | $-9.58 |
| Dividend yield | 1.59% | 3.40% |
| Annual dividend | $1.62 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.14B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -4.37% | -8.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-510.63M | $-1.51B |
| Gross margin | 13.00% | 7.28% |
| Operating margin | -7.14% | -14.13% |
| Net margin | -9.93% | -13.50% |
| 52-week high | $221.00 | $124.23 |
| 52-week low | $88.01 | $56.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -53.80% | -49.84% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +65.09% | +37.43% |
| Average volume | 2.27M | 923.43K |
| Shares outstanding | 118.01M | 127.80M |
| Employees | 7,800 | 14,600 |
| 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
- ALB has outperformed WLK by 36.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Westlake offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 1.59%).
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 Westlake
WLK stock →Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Performance and Essential Materials and The Housing and Infrastructure Products.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 14,600 employees
ALB vs WLK FAQ
Which is bigger, Albemarle or Westlake?
Albemarle (ALB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.05B compared with $7.96B for Westlake (WLK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALB or WLK?
ALB returned +13.50% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.44% for WLK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Albemarle or Westlake?
Westlake has the higher yield at 3.40%, compared with 1.59% for Albemarle.
Are Albemarle and Westlake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.