Crane NXT (CXT) vs Kaiser Aluminum (KALU)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Kaiser Aluminum (KALU) has outperformed Crane NXT (CXT) over the past year, gaining 82.5% versus a loss of 30.1%. Over five years, CXT leads with a +48.9% price change compared with +30.1% for KALU. Crane NXT is the larger company by market cap ($2.77 billion vs $2.45 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Kaiser Aluminum is growing revenue faster (+11.5% vs +11.4%).
On valuation, Crane NXT trades at a lower forward P/E (10.2x vs 12.9x for Kaiser Aluminum). Kaiser Aluminum offers the higher dividend yield (2.06% vs 1.45%). Crane NXT converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.8% versus 3.3%.
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 | CXT | KALU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $48.18 | $149.74 |
| Market cap | $2.77B | $2.45B |
| 1-day change | +0.04% | -1.64% |
| YTD return | +2.36% | +30.37% |
| 1-year return | -30.08% | +82.48% |
| 5-year return | +48.86% | +30.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.99 | 11.11 |
| Forward P/E | 10.20 | 12.92 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.41 | $13.48 |
| Dividend yield | 1.45% | 2.06% |
| Annual dividend | $0.70 | $3.08 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.66B | $3.37B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.43% | +11.54% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $145.10M | $112.50M |
| Gross margin | 42.48% | 13.12% |
| Operating margin | 14.89% | 5.60% |
| Net margin | 8.76% | 3.34% |
| 52-week high | $69.00 | $199.89 |
| 52-week low | $35.71 | $76.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.17% | -25.09% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +42.61% | +12.36% |
| Average volume | 548.02K | 240.84K |
| Shares outstanding | 57.56M | 16.35M |
| Employees | 4,800 | 3,800 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Metal Fabrications | Metal Fabrications |
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
- KALU has outperformed CXT by 112.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Crane NXT trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.0x vs 11.1x trailing P/E).
- Crane NXT is more profitable, keeping 8.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.3 cents for Kaiser Aluminum.
About Crane NXT
CXT stock →Crane NXT, Co. operates as an industrial technology company that provides technology solutions to secure, detect, and authenticate customers' important assets.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 4,800 employees
About Kaiser Aluminum
KALU stock →Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells semi-fabricated specialty aluminum mill products. It offers flat-rolled plate, sheet, and coil; extruded rod, bar, hollows, and shapes; drawn rod, bar, pipe, tube, and wire; and cast aluminum products.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 3,800 employees
CXT vs KALU FAQ
Which is bigger, Crane NXT or Kaiser Aluminum?
Crane NXT (CXT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.77B compared with $2.45B for Kaiser Aluminum (KALU).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CXT or KALU?
KALU returned +82.48% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.08% for CXT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CXT or KALU?
KALU has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 20.0 for CXT. 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, Crane NXT or Kaiser Aluminum?
Kaiser Aluminum has the higher yield at 2.06%, compared with 1.45% for Crane NXT.
Are Crane NXT and Kaiser Aluminum in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Industrials sector.