DXP Enterprises (DXPE) vs Kadant (KAI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
DXP Enterprises (DXPE) has outperformed Kadant (KAI) over the past year, gaining 51.1% versus a loss of 12.8%. Over five years, DXPE leads with a +457.8% price change compared with +26.4% for KAI. Kadant is the larger company by market cap ($3.08 billion vs $2.77 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while DXP Enterprises is growing revenue faster (+11.9% vs -0.1%).
On valuation, Kadant trades at a lower forward P/E (19.3x vs 23.3x for DXP Enterprises). Kadant pays a dividend yielding 0.54%, while DXP Enterprises does not currently pay one. Kadant converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.7% versus 4.4%.
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 | DXPE | KAI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $178.58 | $260.55 |
| Market cap | $2.77B | $3.08B |
| 1-day change | -0.71% | +1.04% |
| YTD return | +63.81% | -8.59% |
| 1-year return | +51.13% | -12.81% |
| 5-year return | +457.85% | +26.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.44 | 28.02 |
| Forward P/E | 23.31 | 19.28 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.68 | $9.30 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.54% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.02B | $1.05B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.89% | -0.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $88.68M | $101.97M |
| Gross margin | 31.54% | 45.21% |
| Operating margin | 8.77% | 14.95% |
| Net margin | 4.40% | 9.69% |
| 52-week high | $208.00 | $354.07 |
| 52-week low | $84.04 | $244.87 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.14% | -26.41% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.99% | +38.81% |
| Average volume | 130.83K | 141.39K |
| Shares outstanding | 15.52M | 11.81M |
| Employees | 3,286 | 4,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Distribution | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- DXPE has outperformed KAI by 63.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Kadant is more profitable, keeping 9.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.4 cents for DXP Enterprises.
- DXP Enterprises grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.89% vs -0.11%).
About DXP Enterprises
DXPE stock →DXP Enterprises, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in distributing maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products, equipment, and services in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Service Centers, Supply Chain Services, and Innovative Pumping Solutions.
Industrials · Industrial Distribution · 3,286 employees
About Kadant
KAI stock →Kadant Inc. supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 4,000 employees
DXPE vs KAI FAQ
Which is bigger, DXP Enterprises or Kadant?
Kadant (KAI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.08B compared with $2.77B for DXP Enterprises (DXPE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DXPE or KAI?
DXPE returned +51.13% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.81% for KAI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DXPE or KAI?
KAI has the lower trailing P/E at 28.0, versus 31.4 for DXPE. 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, DXP Enterprises or Kadant?
Kadant pays a dividend yielding 0.54%, while DXP Enterprises does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are DXP Enterprises and Kadant in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Industrial Distribution for DXP Enterprises and Industrial Machinery/Components for Kadant.