Ashland (ASH) vs Westlake (WLK)
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 Westlake (WLK) over the past year, gaining 45.5% versus a loss of 24.4%. Over five years, ASH leads with a -26.2% price change compared with -36.5% for WLK. Westlake is the larger company by market cap ($7.96 billion vs $3.24 billion), about 2.5 times the size.
On valuation, Ashland trades at a lower forward P/E (16.4x vs 21.0x for Westlake). Westlake offers the higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 2.36%). Westlake converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -13.5% 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 | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $70.69 | $62.31 |
| Market cap | $3.24B | $7.96B |
| 1-day change | +0.03% | +1.28% |
| YTD return | +20.49% | -15.73% |
| 1-year return | +45.45% | -24.35% |
| 5-year return | -26.16% | -36.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 45.31 | — |
| Forward P/E | 16.44 | 21.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.56 | $-9.58 |
| Dividend yield | 2.36% | 3.40% |
| Annual dividend | $1.67 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.82B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -13.68% | -8.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-845.00M | $-1.51B |
| Gross margin | 30.10% | 7.28% |
| Operating margin | -42.49% | -14.13% |
| Net margin | -46.33% | -13.50% |
| 52-week high | $78.25 | $124.23 |
| 52-week low | $47.12 | $56.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.66% | -49.84% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.04% | +37.43% |
| Average volume | 682.22K | 923.43K |
| Shares outstanding | 45.79M | 127.80M |
| Employees | 2,900 | 14,600 |
| 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
- Westlake is about 2.5 times larger than Ashland by market value ($7.96B vs $3.24B).
- ASH has outperformed WLK by 69.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Westlake offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 2.36%).
- Westlake is more profitable, keeping -13.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -46.3 cents for Ashland.
- Westlake grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (-8.01% vs -13.68%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ashland in Consumer Discretionary and Westlake 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 Westlake
WLK stock →Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Performance and Essential Materials and The Housing and Infrastructure Products.
Basic Materials · Specialty Chemicals · 14,600 employees
ASH vs WLK FAQ
Which is bigger, Ashland or Westlake?
Westlake (WLK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.96B compared with $3.24B for Ashland (ASH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ASH or WLK?
ASH returned +45.45% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.35% for WLK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ashland or Westlake?
Westlake has the higher yield at 3.40%, compared with 2.36% for Ashland.
Are Ashland and Westlake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Chemicals industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.