Avient (AVNT) 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
Avient (AVNT) has outperformed Quaker Houghton (KWR) over the past year, gaining 27.7% versus a gain of 19.8%. Over five years, AVNT leads with a -19.9% price change compared with -33.2% for KWR. Avient is the larger company by market cap ($3.76 billion vs $2.72 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Quaker Houghton is growing revenue faster (+2.7% vs +0.6%).
On valuation, Avient trades at a lower forward P/E (11.7x vs 16.6x for Quaker Houghton). Avient offers the higher dividend yield (2.67% vs 1.29%). Avient converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.5% versus -0.1%.
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 | AVNT | KWR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $40.98 | $158.11 |
| Market cap | $3.76B | $2.72B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | +0.50% |
| YTD return | +31.18% | +15.15% |
| 1-year return | +27.66% | +19.83% |
| 5-year return | -19.87% | -33.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.15 | 28.18 |
| Forward P/E | 11.73 | 16.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.85 | $5.61 |
| Dividend yield | 2.67% | 1.29% |
| Annual dividend | $1.10 | $2.04 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.26B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.61% | +2.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $81.90M | $-2.49M |
| Gross margin | 31.15% | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | 6.24% | 2.81% |
| Net margin | 2.51% | -0.13% |
| 52-week high | $46.64 | $183.01 |
| 52-week low | $27.48 | $112.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.14% | -13.61% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.11% | +21.79% |
| Average volume | 748.72K | 147.52K |
| Shares outstanding | 91.72M | 17.21M |
| Employees | 9,000 | 4,700 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Major 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
- Quaker Houghton trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.2x vs 22.2x trailing P/E).
- Avient offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.67% vs 1.29%).
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
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.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,700 employees
AVNT vs KWR FAQ
Which is bigger, Avient or Quaker Houghton?
Avient (AVNT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.76B compared with $2.72B for Quaker Houghton (KWR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AVNT or KWR?
AVNT returned +27.66% over the past 12 months, compared with +19.83% for KWR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AVNT or KWR?
AVNT has the lower trailing P/E at 22.2, versus 28.2 for KWR. 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, Avient or Quaker Houghton?
Avient has the higher yield at 2.67%, compared with 1.29% for Quaker Houghton.
Are Avient and Quaker Houghton in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.