Ashland (ASH) vs Clorox (CLX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Ashland (ASH) has outperformed Clorox (CLX) over the past year, gaining 48.8% versus a loss of 31.8%. Over five years, ASH leads with a -26.2% price change compared with -49.6% for CLX. Clorox is the larger company by market cap ($9.94 billion vs $3.24 billion), about 3.1 times the size.
On valuation, Clorox trades at a lower forward P/E (13.2x vs 16.4x for Ashland). Clorox offers the higher dividend yield (6.05% vs 2.36%).
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 | CLX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $70.67 | $82.21 |
| Market cap | $3.24B | $9.94B |
| 1-day change | -0.42% | -1.57% |
| YTD return | +20.45% | -18.47% |
| 1-year return | +48.81% | -31.77% |
| 5-year return | -26.19% | -49.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 45.30 | 17.09 |
| Forward P/E | 16.43 | 13.24 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.56 | $4.81 |
| Dividend yield | 2.36% | 6.05% |
| Annual dividend | $1.67 | $4.97 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $7.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +0.16% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $810.00M |
| Gross margin | — | 45.23% |
| Net margin | — | 11.40% |
| 52-week high | $78.25 | $128.90 |
| 52-week low | $47.12 | $79.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.69% | -36.22% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.07% | +21.14% |
| Average volume | 680.03K | 2.90M |
| Shares outstanding | 45.79M | 120.93M |
| Employees | 2,900 | 9,200 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals | Specialty 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
- Clorox is about 3.1 times larger than Ashland by market value ($9.94B vs $3.24B).
- ASH has outperformed CLX by 80.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Ashland trades at a higher earnings multiple (45.3x vs 17.1x trailing P/E).
- Clorox offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.05% vs 2.36%).
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 Clorox
CLX stock →The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International.
Consumer Discretionary · Specialty Chemicals · 9,200 employees
ASH vs CLX FAQ
Which is bigger, Ashland or Clorox?
Clorox (CLX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.94B compared with $3.24B for Ashland (ASH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ASH or CLX?
ASH returned +48.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -31.77% for CLX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ASH or CLX?
CLX has the lower trailing P/E at 17.1, versus 45.3 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 Clorox?
Clorox has the higher yield at 6.05%, compared with 2.36% for Ashland.
Are Ashland and Clorox in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Chemicals industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.