Cabot (CBT) vs Hexcel (HXL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Hexcel (HXL) has outperformed Cabot (CBT) over the past year, gaining 31.8% versus a gain of 5.2%. Over five years, CBT leads with a +42.4% price change compared with +38.6% for HXL. Hexcel is the larger company by market cap ($6.42 billion vs $3.87 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Cabot trades at a lower forward P/E (10.7x vs 27.0x for Hexcel). Cabot offers the higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 0.82%). Cabot converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.9% versus 5.8%.
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 | CBT | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $74.91 | $84.96 |
| Market cap | $3.87B | $6.42B |
| 1-day change | -0.93% | -0.20% |
| YTD return | +13.02% | +14.97% |
| 1-year return | +5.15% | +31.78% |
| 5-year return | +42.36% | +38.55% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.98 | 42.91 |
| Forward P/E | 10.72 | 26.98 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.57 | $1.98 |
| Dividend yield | 2.43% | 0.82% |
| Annual dividend | $1.82 | $0.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.71B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -7.04% | -0.48% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $331.00M | $109.40M |
| Gross margin | 25.32% | 22.96% |
| Operating margin | 16.73% | 9.06% |
| Net margin | 8.91% | 5.78% |
| 52-week high | $94.53 | $111.74 |
| 52-week low | $58.33 | $60.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.76% | -23.97% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.58% | +27.71% |
| Average volume | 415.02K | 925.09K |
| Shares outstanding | 51.63M | 75.62M |
| Employees | 4,064 | 5,563 |
| 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
- HXL has outperformed CBT by 26.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Hexcel trades at a higher earnings multiple (42.9x vs 21.0x trailing P/E).
- Cabot offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 0.82%).
- Hexcel grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (-0.48% vs -7.04%).
About Cabot
CBT stock →Cabot Corporation operates as a specialty chemicals and performance materials company. It operates through two segments, Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,064 employees
About Hexcel
HXL stock →Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets advanced lightweight composites technology. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 5,563 employees
CBT vs HXL FAQ
Which is bigger, Cabot or Hexcel?
Hexcel (HXL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.42B compared with $3.87B for Cabot (CBT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CBT or HXL?
HXL returned +31.78% over the past 12 months, compared with +5.15% for CBT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CBT or HXL?
CBT has the lower trailing P/E at 21.0, versus 42.9 for HXL. 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, Cabot or Hexcel?
Cabot has the higher yield at 2.43%, compared with 0.82% for Hexcel.
Are Cabot and Hexcel in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.