Compass Minerals Intl (CMP) vs MDU Resources Group (MDU)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Compass Minerals Intl (CMP) has outperformed MDU Resources Group (MDU) over the past year, gaining 19.2% versus a gain of 1.8%. Over five years, MDU leads with a +59.8% price change compared with -69.0% for CMP. MDU Resources Group is the larger company by market cap ($3.96 billion vs $968.9 million), about 4.1 times the size.
On valuation, MDU Resources Group trades at a lower forward P/E (17.7x vs 18.2x for Compass Minerals Intl). MDU Resources Group pays a dividend yielding 2.98%, while Compass Minerals Intl does not currently pay one.
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 | CMP | MDU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.08 | $18.81 |
| Market cap | $968.92M | $3.96B |
| 1-day change | +2.26% | -0.42% |
| YTD return | +17.52% | -3.64% |
| 1-year return | +19.15% | +1.79% |
| 5-year return | -69.02% | +59.78% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 54.95 | 20.01 |
| Forward P/E | 18.23 | 17.73 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.42 | $0.94 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.98% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.56 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.88B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +6.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $190.40M |
| Operating margin | — | 15.49% |
| Net margin | — | 10.15% |
| 52-week high | $34.50 | $22.98 |
| 52-week low | $16.40 | $18.24 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.10% | -18.15% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +27.82% | +22.28% |
| Average volume | 421.97K | 1.66M |
| Shares outstanding | 41.98M | 210.35M |
| Employees | 1,800 | 2,096 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) | Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) |
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
- MDU Resources Group is about 4.1 times larger than Compass Minerals Intl by market value ($3.96B vs $968.92M).
- CMP has outperformed MDU by 17.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Compass Minerals Intl trades at a higher earnings multiple (55.0x vs 20.0x trailing P/E).
- MDU Resources Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.98% vs 0.00%).
About Compass Minerals Intl
CMP stock →Compass Minerals International, Inc. provides essential minerals in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally.
Industrials · Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) · 1,800 employees
About MDU Resources Group
MDU stock →MDU Resources Group, Inc. engages in the regulated energy delivery businesses in the United States.
Industrials · Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) · 2,096 employees
CMP vs MDU FAQ
Which is bigger, Compass Minerals Intl or MDU Resources Group?
MDU Resources Group (MDU) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.96B compared with $968.92M for Compass Minerals Intl (CMP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CMP or MDU?
CMP returned +19.15% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.79% for MDU (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CMP or MDU?
MDU has the lower trailing P/E at 20.0, versus 55.0 for CMP. 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, Compass Minerals Intl or MDU Resources Group?
MDU Resources Group pays a dividend yielding 2.98%, while Compass Minerals Intl does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Compass Minerals Intl and MDU Resources Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) industry within the Industrials sector.