Clorox (CLX) 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 Clorox (CLX) over the past year, gaining 22.4% versus a loss of 31.8%. Over five years, KWR leads with a -33.2% price change compared with -49.6% for CLX. Clorox is the larger company by market cap ($10.09 billion vs $2.72 billion), about 3.7 times the size, while Quaker Houghton is growing revenue faster (+2.7% vs +0.2%).
On valuation, Clorox trades at a lower forward P/E (13.4x vs 16.6x for Quaker Houghton). Clorox offers the higher dividend yield (5.96% vs 1.29%). Clorox converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.4% 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 | CLX | KWR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $83.44 | $158.11 |
| Market cap | $10.09B | $2.72B |
| 1-day change | +1.50% | +0.50% |
| YTD return | -18.47% | +14.58% |
| 1-year return | -31.77% | +22.39% |
| 5-year return | -49.64% | -33.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.35 | 28.18 |
| Forward P/E | 13.44 | 16.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.81 | $5.61 |
| Dividend yield | 5.96% | 1.29% |
| Annual dividend | $4.97 | $2.04 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.10B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.16% | +2.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $810.00M | $-2.49M |
| Gross margin | 45.23% | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | — | 2.81% |
| Net margin | 11.40% | -0.13% |
| 52-week high | $128.90 | $183.01 |
| 52-week low | $79.12 | $112.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.27% | -13.61% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.36% | +21.79% |
| Average volume | 2.89M | 147.52K |
| Shares outstanding | 120.93M | 17.21M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 4,700 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Specialty 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
- Clorox is about 3.7 times larger than Quaker Houghton by market value ($10.09B vs $2.72B).
- KWR has outperformed CLX by 54.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Quaker Houghton trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.2x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- Clorox offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.96% vs 1.29%).
- Clorox is more profitable, keeping 11.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -0.1 cents for Quaker Houghton.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Clorox in Consumer Discretionary and Quaker Houghton in Industrials.
About Clorox
CLX stock →The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International.
Consumer Discretionary · Specialty Chemicals · 9,200 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
CLX vs KWR FAQ
Which is bigger, Clorox or Quaker Houghton?
Clorox (CLX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.09B compared with $2.72B for Quaker Houghton (KWR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CLX or KWR?
KWR returned +22.39% over the past 12 months, compared with -31.77% for CLX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CLX or KWR?
CLX has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 28.2 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, Clorox or Quaker Houghton?
Clorox has the higher yield at 5.96%, compared with 1.29% for Quaker Houghton.
Are Clorox and Quaker Houghton in the same industry?
No. Clorox is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Quaker Houghton is in Industrials.