Celanese (CE) 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 Celanese (CE) over the past year, gaining 29.8% versus a gain of 2.9%. Over five years, HXL leads with a +38.8% price change compared with -73.4% for CE. Hexcel is the larger company by market cap ($6.44 billion vs $4.92 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Celanese trades at a lower forward P/E (7.3x vs 27.2x for Hexcel). Hexcel offers the higher dividend yield (0.82% vs 0.27%). Hexcel converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 5.8% versus -12.2%.
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 | CE | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $44.81 | $85.13 |
| Market cap | $4.92B | $6.44B |
| 1-day change | +2.17% | +1.47% |
| YTD return | +3.74% | +15.20% |
| 1-year return | +2.93% | +29.79% |
| 5-year return | -73.38% | +38.83% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 42.99 |
| Forward P/E | 7.29 | 27.19 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-10.60 | $1.98 |
| Dividend yield | 0.27% | 0.82% |
| Annual dividend | $0.12 | $0.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.54B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -7.05% | -0.48% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-1.17B | $109.40M |
| Gross margin | 20.45% | 22.96% |
| Operating margin | -8.24% | 9.06% |
| Net margin | -12.21% | 5.78% |
| 52-week high | $70.70 | $111.74 |
| 52-week low | $35.13 | $60.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.62% | -23.81% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +41.13% | +27.45% |
| Average volume | 1.81M | 921.65K |
| Shares outstanding | 109.75M | 75.62M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 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 CE by 26.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Hexcel is more profitable, keeping 5.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -12.2 cents for Celanese.
- Hexcel grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (-0.48% vs -7.05%).
About Celanese
CE stock →Celanese Corporation produces and sells engineered polymers worldwide. It operates through Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain segments.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 11,000 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
CE vs HXL FAQ
Which is bigger, Celanese or Hexcel?
Hexcel (HXL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.44B compared with $4.92B for Celanese (CE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CE or HXL?
HXL returned +29.79% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.93% for CE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Celanese or Hexcel?
Hexcel has the higher yield at 0.82%, compared with 0.27% for Celanese.
Are Celanese and Hexcel in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.