Ashland (ASH) vs Avient (AVNT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Ashland (ASH) has outperformed Avient (AVNT) over the past year, gaining 45.5% versus a gain of 19.5%. Over five years, AVNT leads with a -26.1% price change compared with -26.3% for ASH. Avient is the larger company by market cap ($3.47 billion vs $3.23 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Avient trades at a lower forward P/E (10.8x vs 16.4x for Ashland). Avient offers the higher dividend yield (2.90% vs 2.36%). Avient converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.5% versus -46.3%.
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 | ASH | AVNT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $70.57 | $37.79 |
| Market cap | $3.23B | $3.47B |
| 1-day change | -0.17% | -7.78% |
| YTD return | +20.28% | +20.97% |
| 1-year return | +45.51% | +19.51% |
| 5-year return | -26.29% | -26.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 45.24 | 20.43 |
| Forward P/E | 16.41 | 10.81 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.56 | $1.85 |
| Dividend yield | 2.36% | 2.90% |
| Annual dividend | $1.67 | $1.10 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.82B | $3.26B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -13.68% | +0.61% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-845.00M | $81.90M |
| Gross margin | 30.10% | 31.15% |
| Operating margin | -42.49% | 6.24% |
| Net margin | -46.33% | 2.51% |
| 52-week high | $78.25 | $46.64 |
| 52-week low | $47.12 | $27.48 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.81% | -18.98% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.24% | +34.59% |
| Average volume | 679.01K | 776.83K |
| Shares outstanding | 45.79M | 91.72M |
| Employees | 2,900 | 9,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Specialty 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
- ASH has outperformed AVNT by 26.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Ashland trades at a higher earnings multiple (45.2x vs 20.4x trailing P/E).
- Avient is more profitable, keeping 2.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -46.3 cents for Ashland.
- Avient grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+0.61% vs -13.68%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ashland in Consumer Discretionary and Avient in Industrials.
About Ashland
ASH stock →Ashland Inc. provides additives and specialty ingredients in the North and Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Specialty Chemicals · 2,900 employees
About Avient
AVNT stock →Avient Corporation operates as a formulator of material solutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, and Asia. The company operates in two segments, Color, Additives and Inks; and Specialty Engineered Materials.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 9,000 employees
ASH vs AVNT FAQ
Which is bigger, Ashland or Avient?
Avient (AVNT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.47B compared with $3.23B for Ashland (ASH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ASH or AVNT?
ASH returned +45.51% over the past 12 months, compared with +19.51% for AVNT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ASH or AVNT?
AVNT has the lower trailing P/E at 20.4, versus 45.2 for ASH. 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, Ashland or Avient?
Avient has the higher yield at 2.90%, compared with 2.36% for Ashland.
Are Ashland and Avient in the same industry?
No. Ashland is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Avient is in Industrials.