Cabot (CBT) vs Sensient Technologies (SXT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Sensient Technologies (SXT) has outperformed Cabot (CBT) over the past year, gaining 42.9% versus a gain of 2.7%. Over five years, CBT leads with a +42.0% price change compared with +37.2% for SXT. Sensient Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($5.62 billion vs $3.89 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Cabot trades at a lower forward P/E (10.8x vs 26.4x for Sensient Technologies). Cabot offers the higher dividend yield (2.42% vs 1.24%).
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 | SXT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $75.41 | $132.00 |
| Market cap | $3.89B | $5.62B |
| 1-day change | -2.20% | -0.68% |
| YTD return | +13.77% | +40.50% |
| 1-year return | +2.74% | +42.95% |
| 5-year return | +41.99% | +37.20% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.12 | 35.58 |
| Forward P/E | 10.79 | 26.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.57 | $3.71 |
| Dividend yield | 2.42% | 1.24% |
| Annual dividend | $1.82 | $1.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.61B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $134.49M |
| Gross margin | — | 33.45% |
| Operating margin | — | 12.85% |
| Net margin | — | 8.34% |
| 52-week high | $94.53 | $138.82 |
| 52-week low | $58.33 | $82.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.23% | -4.91% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.79% | +9.39% |
| Average volume | 425.28K | 426.57K |
| Shares outstanding | 51.63M | 42.56M |
| Employees | 4,064 | 4,070 |
| 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
- SXT has outperformed CBT by 40.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Sensient Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.6x vs 21.1x trailing P/E).
- Cabot offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.42% vs 1.24%).
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 Sensient Technologies
SXT stock →Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients worldwide. It operates in three segments: Flavors & Extracts, Color, and Asia Pacific.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,070 employees
CBT vs SXT FAQ
Which is bigger, Cabot or Sensient Technologies?
Sensient Technologies (SXT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.62B compared with $3.89B for Cabot (CBT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CBT or SXT?
SXT returned +42.95% 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 SXT?
CBT has the lower trailing P/E at 21.1, versus 35.6 for SXT. 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 Sensient Technologies?
Cabot has the higher yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.24% for Sensient Technologies.
Are Cabot and Sensient Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.