American Superconductor (AMSC) vs Kaiser Aluminum (KALU)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 11, 2026.
Summary
Kaiser Aluminum (KALU) has outperformed American Superconductor (AMSC) over the past year, gaining 95.3% versus a loss of 49.0%. Over five years, AMSC leads with a +82.2% price change compared with +29.5% for KALU. Kaiser Aluminum is the larger company by market cap ($2.48 billion vs $1.48 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while American Superconductor is growing revenue faster (+34.3% vs +11.5%).
On valuation, Kaiser Aluminum trades at a lower forward P/E (13.1x vs 22.5x for American Superconductor). Kaiser Aluminum pays a dividend yielding 2.03%, while American Superconductor does not currently pay one. American Superconductor converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 44.7% versus 3.3%.
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 | AMSC | KALU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.52 | $151.51 |
| Market cap | $1.48B | $2.48B |
| 1-day change | -1.39% | +1.18% |
| YTD return | +6.05% | +31.91% |
| 1-year return | -48.96% | +95.32% |
| 5-year return | +82.21% | +29.50% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.28 | 11.24 |
| Forward P/E | 22.52 | 13.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.97 | $13.48 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.03% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.08 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $299.15M | $3.37B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +34.26% | +11.54% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $133.81M | $112.50M |
| Gross margin | 30.55% | 13.12% |
| Operating margin | 3.83% | 5.60% |
| Net margin | 44.73% | 3.34% |
| 52-week high | $70.49 | $199.89 |
| 52-week low | $24.87 | $77.24 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -56.70% | -24.20% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +102.33% | +11.05% |
| Average volume | 724.34K | 237.54K |
| Shares outstanding | 48.44M | 16.35M |
| Employees | 1,195 | 3,800 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Metal Fabrications | Metal Fabrications |
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
- KALU has outperformed AMSC by 144.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Kaiser Aluminum offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.03% vs 0.00%).
- American Superconductor is more profitable, keeping 44.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.3 cents for Kaiser Aluminum.
- American Superconductor grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+34.26% vs +11.54%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: American Superconductor in Consumer Discretionary and Kaiser Aluminum in Industrials.
About American Superconductor
AMSC stock →American Superconductor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Grid and Wind segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Metal Fabrications · 1,195 employees
About Kaiser Aluminum
KALU stock →Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells semi-fabricated specialty aluminum mill products. It offers flat-rolled plate, sheet, and coil; extruded rod, bar, hollows, and shapes; drawn rod, bar, pipe, tube, and wire; and cast aluminum products.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 3,800 employees
AMSC vs KALU FAQ
Which is bigger, American Superconductor or Kaiser Aluminum?
Kaiser Aluminum (KALU) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.48B compared with $1.48B for American Superconductor (AMSC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AMSC or KALU?
KALU returned +95.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -48.96% for AMSC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AMSC or KALU?
AMSC has the lower trailing P/E at 10.3, versus 11.2 for KALU. 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, American Superconductor or Kaiser Aluminum?
Kaiser Aluminum pays a dividend yielding 2.03%, while American Superconductor does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are American Superconductor and Kaiser Aluminum in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.