MetaCap

Ashland (ASH) vs Lightwave Logic (LWLG)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

Ashland (ASH) has outperformed Lightwave Logic (LWLG) over the past year, gaining 45.5% versus a loss of 0.8%. Over five years, ASH leads with a -26.2% price change compared with -43.0% for LWLG. Ashland is the larger company by market cap ($3.23 billion vs $766.2 million), about 4.2 times the size.

Ashland pays a dividend yielding 2.36%, while Lightwave Logic does not currently pay one.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

ASH+45.45%LWLG-0.78%
+269%+106%-57%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
ASH-23.66%LWLG-45.64%
+118%+9%-101%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

ASH versus LWLG key metrics
MetricASHLWLG
Share price$70.60$4.97
Market cap$3.23B$766.21M
1-day change-0.13%-2.74%
YTD return+20.49%+57.72%
1-year return+45.45%-0.78%
5-year return-26.16%-42.97%
P/E ratio (TTM)45.26—
Forward P/E16.42—
EPS (TTM)$1.56$-0.17
Dividend yield2.36%0.00%
Annual dividend$1.67$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$1.82B—
Revenue growth (YoY)-13.68%—
Net income (latest FY)$-845.00M—
Gross margin30.10%—
Operating margin-42.49%—
Net margin-46.33%—
52-week high$78.25$18.71
52-week low$47.12$2.84
Distance from 52-week high-9.78%-73.44%
Analyst consensusbuynone
Avg. price target upside+13.19%+101.21%
Average volume682.22K2.93M
Shares outstanding45.79M154.17M
Employees2,90034
SectorConsumer DiscretionaryIndustrials
IndustrySpecialty ChemicalsContainers/Packaging

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

  • Ashland is about 4.2 times larger than Lightwave Logic by market value ($3.23B vs $766.21M).
  • ASH has outperformed LWLG by 46.2 percentage points over the past year.
  • Ashland offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 0.00%).
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Ashland in Consumer Discretionary and Lightwave Logic 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 Lightwave Logic

LWLG stock →

Lightwave Logic, Inc. focuses on the development and commercialization of electro-optic polymer materials for data communications and other photonic application in the United States and internationally.

Industrials · Containers/Packaging · 34 employees

ASH vs LWLG FAQ

Which is bigger, Ashland or Lightwave Logic?

Ashland (ASH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.23B compared with $766.21M for Lightwave Logic (LWLG).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, ASH or LWLG?

ASH returned +45.45% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.78% for LWLG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, Ashland or Lightwave Logic?

Ashland pays a dividend yielding 2.36%, while Lightwave Logic does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Ashland and Lightwave Logic in the same industry?

No. Ashland is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Lightwave Logic is in Industrials.

More comparisons