Core Molding Technologies (CMT) vs Karat Packaging (KRT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Karat Packaging (KRT) has outperformed Core Molding Technologies (CMT) over the past year, gaining 131.1% versus a gain of 23.4%. Over five years, KRT leads with a +139.9% price change compared with +100.4% for CMT. Karat Packaging is the larger company by market cap ($1.06 billion vs $204.0 million), about 5.2 times the size.
On valuation, Core Molding Technologies trades at a lower forward P/E (13.4x vs 22.9x for Karat Packaging). Karat Packaging pays a dividend yielding 3.37%, while Core Molding Technologies 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 | CMT | KRT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.05 | $53.38 |
| Market cap | $203.97M | $1.06B |
| 1-day change | -2.00% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | +14.96% | +136.51% |
| 1-year return | +23.39% | +131.08% |
| 5-year return | +100.43% | +139.91% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.12 | 21.35 |
| Forward P/E | 13.40 | 22.91 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.85 | $2.50 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 3.37% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.80 |
| 52-week high | $28.69 | $55.36 |
| 52-week low | $16.60 | $20.61 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.66% | -3.58% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.15% | -12.89% |
| Average volume | 30.05K | 155.18K |
| Shares outstanding | 8.85M | 19.93M |
| Employees | 1,239 | 636 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Cyclical |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals | Packaging & Containers |
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
- Karat Packaging is about 5.2 times larger than Core Molding Technologies by market value ($1.06B vs $203.97M).
- KRT has outperformed CMT by 107.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Core Molding Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.1x vs 21.4x trailing P/E).
- Karat Packaging offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Core Molding Technologies in Basic Materials and Karat Packaging in Consumer Cyclical.
About Core Molding Technologies
CMT stock →Core Molding Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a molder of thermoplastic and thermoset structural products in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and internationally. The company offers a range of manufacturing processes, such as sheet molding compound compression molding, direct long fiber thermoplastic compression molding, vacuum resin transfer compression molding, structural foam and web injection molding, reaction injection molding, hand lay-up, and spray-up processes.
Basic Materials · Specialty Chemicals · 1,239 employees
About Karat Packaging
KRT stock →Karat Packaging Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and distribution of single-use disposable products in plastic, paper, biopolymer-based, and other compostable forms used in various restaurant and foodservice settings. It offers food and take-out containers, bags, boxes, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, gloves, utensils, janitorial and warehouse supplies, and other products under the Karat Earth brand.
Consumer Cyclical · Packaging & Containers · 636 employees
CMT vs KRT FAQ
Which is bigger, Core Molding Technologies or Karat Packaging?
Karat Packaging (KRT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.06B compared with $203.97M for Core Molding Technologies (CMT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CMT or KRT?
KRT returned +131.08% over the past 12 months, compared with +23.39% for CMT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CMT or KRT?
KRT has the lower trailing P/E at 21.4, versus 27.1 for CMT. 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, Core Molding Technologies or Karat Packaging?
Karat Packaging pays a dividend yielding 3.37%, while Core Molding Technologies does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Core Molding Technologies and Karat Packaging in the same industry?
No. Core Molding Technologies is in the Basic Materials sector, while Karat Packaging is in Consumer Cyclical.