Celanese (CE) vs Westlake (WLK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Celanese (CE) has outperformed Westlake (WLK) over the past year, gaining 2.9% versus a loss of 23.4%. Over five years, WLK leads with a -37.3% price change compared with -73.4% for CE. Westlake is the larger company by market cap ($7.86 billion vs $4.81 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Celanese is growing revenue faster (-7.1% vs -8.0%).
On valuation, Celanese trades at a lower forward P/E (7.1x vs 20.8x for Westlake). Westlake offers the higher dividend yield (3.45% vs 0.27%). Celanese converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -12.2% versus -13.5%.
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 | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $43.86 | $61.52 |
| Market cap | $4.81B | $7.86B |
| 1-day change | -2.21% | -2.95% |
| YTD return | +3.74% | -16.80% |
| 1-year return | +2.93% | -23.44% |
| 5-year return | -73.38% | -37.29% |
| Forward P/E | 7.14 | 20.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-10.60 | $-9.58 |
| Dividend yield | 0.27% | 3.45% |
| Annual dividend | $0.12 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $9.54B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -7.05% | -8.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-1.17B | $-1.51B |
| Gross margin | 20.45% | 7.28% |
| Operating margin | -8.24% | -14.13% |
| Net margin | -12.21% | -13.50% |
| 52-week high | $70.70 | $124.23 |
| 52-week low | $35.13 | $56.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.96% | -50.48% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +44.19% | +39.19% |
| Average volume | 1.81M | 927.33K |
| Shares outstanding | 109.75M | 127.80M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 14,600 |
| 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
- CE has outperformed WLK by 26.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Westlake offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.45% vs 0.27%).
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 Westlake
WLK stock →Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Performance and Essential Materials and The Housing and Infrastructure Products.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 14,600 employees
CE vs WLK FAQ
Which is bigger, Celanese or Westlake?
Westlake (WLK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.86B compared with $4.81B for Celanese (CE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CE or WLK?
CE returned +2.93% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.44% for WLK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Celanese or Westlake?
Westlake has the higher yield at 3.45%, compared with 0.27% for Celanese.
Are Celanese and Westlake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.