Ashland (ASH) vs Quaker Houghton (KWR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ashland (ASH) has outperformed Quaker Houghton (KWR) over the past year, gaining 48.8% versus a gain of 22.4%. Over five years, ASH leads with a -26.2% price change compared with -33.2% for KWR. Ashland is the larger company by market cap ($3.24 billion vs $2.71 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Quaker Houghton is growing revenue faster (+2.7% vs -13.7%).
On valuation, Ashland trades at a lower forward P/E (16.4x vs 16.5x for Quaker Houghton). Ashland offers the higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 1.29%). Quaker Houghton converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -0.1% 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 | KWR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $70.67 | $157.33 |
| Market cap | $3.24B | $2.71B |
| 1-day change | -0.42% | -2.33% |
| YTD return | +20.45% | +14.58% |
| 1-year return | +48.81% | +22.39% |
| 5-year return | -26.19% | -33.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 45.59 | 28.71 |
| Forward P/E | 16.43 | 16.51 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.55 | $5.48 |
| Dividend yield | 2.36% | 1.29% |
| Annual dividend | $1.67 | $2.04 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.82B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -13.68% | +2.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-845.00M | $-2.49M |
| Gross margin | 30.10% | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | -42.49% | 2.81% |
| Net margin | -46.33% | -0.13% |
| 52-week high | $78.25 | $183.01 |
| 52-week low | $47.12 | $112.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.69% | -14.03% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.07% | +22.40% |
| Average volume | 681.71K | 147.01K |
| Shares outstanding | 45.79M | 17.21M |
| Employees | 2,900 | 4,700 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Basic Materials |
| 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
- ASH has outperformed KWR by 26.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Ashland trades at a higher earnings multiple (45.6x vs 28.7x trailing P/E).
- Ashland offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 1.29%).
- Quaker Houghton is more profitable, keeping -0.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -46.3 cents for Ashland.
- Quaker Houghton grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.66% vs -13.68%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ashland in Consumer Discretionary and Quaker Houghton in Basic Materials.
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 Quaker Houghton
KWR stock →Quaker Chemical Corporation, doing business as Quaker Houghton, provides industrial process fluids worldwide. The company develops, produces, and markets various formulated specialty chemical products; and offers chemical management services for various heavy industrial and manufacturing applications.
Basic Materials · Specialty Chemicals · 4,700 employees
ASH vs KWR FAQ
Which is bigger, Ashland or Quaker Houghton?
Ashland (ASH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.24B compared with $2.71B for Quaker Houghton (KWR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ASH or KWR?
ASH returned +48.81% over the past 12 months, compared with +22.39% for KWR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ASH or KWR?
KWR has the lower trailing P/E at 28.7, versus 45.6 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 Quaker Houghton?
Ashland has the higher yield at 2.36%, compared with 1.29% for Quaker Houghton.
Are Ashland and Quaker Houghton in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Chemicals industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.