Ecovyst (ECVT) vs Quaker Houghton (KWR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ecovyst (ECVT) has outperformed Quaker Houghton (KWR) over the past year, gaining 24.2% versus a gain of 22.4%. Over five years, ECVT leads with a -11.7% price change compared with -33.2% for KWR. Quaker Houghton is the larger company by market cap ($2.72 billion vs $1.13 billion), about 2.4 times the size.
On valuation, Ecovyst trades at a lower forward P/E (11.8x vs 16.6x for Quaker Houghton). Quaker Houghton pays a dividend yielding 1.29%, while Ecovyst 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 | ECVT | KWR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $10.30 | $157.79 |
| Market cap | $1.13B | $2.72B |
| 1-day change | -0.15% | +0.29% |
| YTD return | +5.96% | +14.58% |
| 1-year return | +24.22% | +22.39% |
| 5-year return | -11.65% | -33.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 44.76 | 28.13 |
| Forward P/E | 11.84 | 16.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.23 | $5.61 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.29% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.04 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +2.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $-2.49M |
| Gross margin | — | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | — | 2.81% |
| Net margin | — | -0.13% |
| 52-week high | $15.09 | $183.01 |
| 52-week low | $7.41 | $112.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.75% | -13.78% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +47.35% | +22.05% |
| Average volume | 1.30M | 147.52K |
| Shares outstanding | 109.47M | 17.21M |
| Employees | 617 | 4,700 |
| 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
- Quaker Houghton is about 2.4 times larger than Ecovyst by market value ($2.72B vs $1.13B).
- Ecovyst trades at a higher earnings multiple (44.8x vs 28.1x trailing P/E).
- Quaker Houghton offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.29% vs 0.00%).
About Ecovyst
ECVT stock →Ecovyst Inc. offers virgin and regenerated sulfuric acid products and services in the United States and internationally.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 617 employees
About Quaker Houghton
KWR stock →Quaker Chemical Corporation, doing business as Quaker Houghton, provides industrial process fluids worldwide. The company develops, produces, and markets various formulated specialty chemical products; and offers chemical management services for various heavy industrial and manufacturing applications.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,700 employees
ECVT vs KWR FAQ
Which is bigger, Ecovyst or Quaker Houghton?
Quaker Houghton (KWR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.72B compared with $1.13B for Ecovyst (ECVT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ECVT or KWR?
ECVT returned +24.22% over the past 12 months, compared with +22.39% for KWR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ECVT or KWR?
KWR has the lower trailing P/E at 28.1, versus 44.8 for ECVT. 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, Ecovyst or Quaker Houghton?
Quaker Houghton pays a dividend yielding 1.29%, while Ecovyst does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ecovyst and Quaker Houghton in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.