Dow (DOW) vs Element Solutions (ESI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Element Solutions (ESI) has outperformed Dow (DOW) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 23.4%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with -52.9% for DOW. Dow is the larger company by market cap ($20.06 billion vs $9.06 billion), about 2.2 times the size, while Element Solutions is growing revenue faster (+3.8% vs -7.0%).
On valuation, Dow trades at a lower forward P/E (16.1x vs 17.5x for Element Solutions). Dow offers the higher dividend yield (5.04% vs 0.86%). Element Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.5% versus -6.1%.
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 | DOW | ESI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $27.77 | $37.17 |
| Market cap | $20.06B | $9.06B |
| 1-day change | -1.38% | -1.51% |
| YTD return | +18.78% | +48.74% |
| 1-year return | +23.42% | +40.53% |
| 5-year return | -52.90% | +64.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 50.23 |
| Forward P/E | 16.09 | 17.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.84 | $0.74 |
| Dividend yield | 5.04% | 0.86% |
| Annual dividend | $1.40 | $0.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $39.97B | $2.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -6.97% | +3.84% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-2.44B | $190.80M |
| Gross margin | 6.34% | 41.96% |
| Operating margin | — | 13.41% |
| Net margin | -6.11% | 7.48% |
| 52-week high | $42.74 | $49.25 |
| 52-week low | $20.65 | $22.86 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.03% | -24.53% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.10% | +25.24% |
| Average volume | 9.18M | 4.83M |
| Shares outstanding | 722.34M | 243.69M |
| Employees | 32,800 | 5,200 |
| 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
- Dow is about 2.2 times larger than Element Solutions by market value ($20.06B vs $9.06B).
- ESI has outperformed DOW by 17.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Dow offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.04% vs 0.86%).
- Element Solutions is more profitable, keeping 7.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -6.1 cents for Dow.
- Element Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.84% vs -6.97%).
About Dow
DOW stock →Dow Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various materials science solutions for packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings segments.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 32,800 employees
About Element Solutions
ESI stock →Element Solutions Inc operates as a specialty chemicals technology company in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments: MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions and Element Specialties.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 5,200 employees
DOW vs ESI FAQ
Which is bigger, Dow or Element Solutions?
Dow (DOW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.06B compared with $9.06B for Element Solutions (ESI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DOW or ESI?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +23.42% for DOW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Dow or Element Solutions?
Dow has the higher yield at 5.04%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Dow and Element Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.