Cabot (CBT) 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
Quaker Houghton (KWR) has outperformed Cabot (CBT) over the past year, gaining 22.4% versus a gain of 2.7%. Over five years, CBT leads with a +42.0% price change compared with -33.2% for KWR. Cabot is the larger company by market cap ($3.88 billion vs $2.72 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Quaker Houghton is growing revenue faster (+2.7% vs -7.0%).
On valuation, Cabot trades at a lower forward P/E (10.8x vs 16.6x for Quaker Houghton). Cabot offers the higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 1.29%). Cabot converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.9% 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 | CBT | KWR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $75.17 | $157.79 |
| Market cap | $3.88B | $2.72B |
| 1-day change | -0.32% | +0.29% |
| YTD return | +13.77% | +14.58% |
| 1-year return | +2.74% | +22.39% |
| 5-year return | +41.99% | -33.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.06 | 28.13 |
| Forward P/E | 10.76 | 16.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.57 | $5.61 |
| Dividend yield | 2.43% | 1.29% |
| Annual dividend | $1.82 | $2.04 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.71B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -7.04% | +2.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $331.00M | $-2.49M |
| Gross margin | 25.32% | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | 16.73% | 2.81% |
| Net margin | 8.91% | -0.13% |
| 52-week high | $94.53 | $183.01 |
| 52-week low | $58.33 | $112.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.48% | -13.78% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.17% | +22.05% |
| Average volume | 416.44K | 147.52K |
| Shares outstanding | 51.63M | 17.21M |
| Employees | 4,064 | 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
- KWR has outperformed CBT by 19.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Quaker Houghton trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.1x vs 21.1x trailing P/E).
- Cabot offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 1.29%).
- Cabot is more profitable, keeping 8.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -0.1 cents for Quaker Houghton.
- Quaker Houghton grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.66% 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 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
CBT vs KWR FAQ
Which is bigger, Cabot or Quaker Houghton?
Cabot (CBT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.88B compared with $2.72B for Quaker Houghton (KWR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CBT or KWR?
KWR returned +22.39% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.74% for CBT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CBT or KWR?
CBT has the lower trailing P/E at 21.1, versus 28.1 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, Cabot or Quaker Houghton?
Cabot has the higher yield at 2.43%, compared with 1.29% for Quaker Houghton.
Are Cabot and Quaker Houghton in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.