Eastman Chemical (EMN) 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 Eastman Chemical (EMN) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 1.4%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with -41.1% for EMN. Element Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($9.06 billion vs $7.23 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Eastman Chemical trades at a lower forward P/E (9.3x vs 17.5x for Element Solutions). Eastman Chemical offers the higher dividend yield (5.30% vs 0.86%). Element Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.5% versus 5.4%.
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 | EMN | ESI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.25 | $37.17 |
| Market cap | $7.23B | $9.06B |
| 1-day change | -1.34% | -1.51% |
| YTD return | -0.91% | +48.74% |
| 1-year return | +1.44% | +40.53% |
| 5-year return | -41.09% | +64.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.51 | 50.23 |
| Forward P/E | 9.31 | 17.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.83 | $0.74 |
| Dividend yield | 5.30% | 0.86% |
| Annual dividend | $3.35 | $0.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.75B | $2.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -6.71% | +3.84% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $474.00M | $190.80M |
| Gross margin | 21.07% | 41.96% |
| Operating margin | — | 13.41% |
| Net margin | 5.42% | 7.48% |
| 52-week high | $83.47 | $49.25 |
| 52-week low | $56.11 | $22.86 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.22% | -24.53% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.37% | +25.24% |
| Average volume | 1.14M | 4.83M |
| Shares outstanding | 114.33M | 243.69M |
| Employees | 13,000 | 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
- ESI has outperformed EMN by 39.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Element Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (50.2x vs 16.5x trailing P/E).
- Eastman Chemical offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.30% vs 0.86%).
- Element Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.84% vs -6.71%).
About Eastman Chemical
EMN stock →Eastman Chemical Company operates as a specialty materials company in the United States, China, and internationally. The company's Additives & Functional Products segment offers amine derivative-based building blocks, intermediates for surfactants, metam-based soil fumigants, and organic acid-based solutions; specialty coalescent and solvents, paint additives, and specialty polymers; and heat transfer and aviation fluids.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 13,000 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
EMN vs ESI FAQ
Which is bigger, Eastman Chemical or Element Solutions?
Element Solutions (ESI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.06B compared with $7.23B for Eastman Chemical (EMN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EMN or ESI?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.44% for EMN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EMN or ESI?
EMN has the lower trailing P/E at 16.5, versus 50.2 for ESI. 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, Eastman Chemical or Element Solutions?
Eastman Chemical has the higher yield at 5.30%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Eastman Chemical and Element Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.