American Superconductor (AMSC) vs Quanex Building Products (NX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Quanex Building Products (NX) has outperformed American Superconductor (AMSC) over the past year, gaining 27.8% versus a loss of 49.0%. Over five years, AMSC leads with a +84.8% price change compared with -12.9% for NX. American Superconductor is the larger company by market cap ($1.50 billion vs $849.6 million), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Quanex Building Products trades at a lower forward P/E (9.4x vs 22.8x for American Superconductor). Quanex Building Products pays a dividend yielding 1.73%, while American Superconductor does not currently pay one.
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 | NX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.95 | $18.54 |
| Market cap | $1.50B | $849.62M |
| 1-day change | -2.49% | +0.82% |
| YTD return | +7.54% | +19.57% |
| 1-year return | -49.01% | +27.80% |
| 5-year return | +84.78% | -12.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.42 | 19.11 |
| Forward P/E | 22.84 | 9.40 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.97 | $0.97 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.73% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.32 |
| 52-week high | $70.49 | $23.33 |
| 52-week low | $24.87 | $11.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -56.09% | -20.53% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +99.52% | +40.24% |
| Average volume | 716.09K | 388.93K |
| Shares outstanding | 48.44M | 45.83M |
| Employees | 1,195 | 7,071 |
| 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
- NX has outperformed AMSC by 76.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Quanex Building Products trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.1x vs 10.4x trailing P/E).
- Quanex Building Products offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.73% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: American Superconductor in Consumer Discretionary and Quanex Building Products 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 Quanex Building Products
NX stock →Quanex Building Products Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes components for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the building products industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, and internationally. It offers energy-efficient flexible insulating glass spacers, extruded vinyl profiles, window and door screens, precision-formed metal and wood products, window and door seals, and window and door hardware.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 7,071 employees
AMSC vs NX FAQ
Which is bigger, American Superconductor or Quanex Building Products?
American Superconductor (AMSC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.50B compared with $849.62M for Quanex Building Products (NX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AMSC or NX?
NX returned +27.80% over the past 12 months, compared with -49.01% for AMSC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AMSC or NX?
AMSC has the lower trailing P/E at 10.4, versus 19.1 for NX. 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 Quanex Building Products?
Quanex Building Products pays a dividend yielding 1.73%, while American Superconductor does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are American Superconductor and Quanex Building Products in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.