Eastman Chemical (EMN) vs Hexcel (HXL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Hexcel (HXL) has outperformed Eastman Chemical (EMN) over the past year, gaining 29.8% versus a gain of 2.3%. Over five years, HXL leads with a +38.8% price change compared with -40.6% for EMN. Eastman Chemical is the larger company by market cap ($7.17 billion vs $6.42 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Hexcel is growing revenue faster (-0.5% vs -6.7%).
On valuation, Eastman Chemical trades at a lower forward P/E (9.2x vs 27.0x for Hexcel). Eastman Chemical offers the higher dividend yield (5.34% vs 0.82%). Hexcel converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 5.8% 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 | HXL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $62.69 | $84.96 |
| Market cap | $7.17B | $6.42B |
| 1-day change | -1.68% | -0.20% |
| YTD return | -0.11% | +15.20% |
| 1-year return | +2.28% | +29.79% |
| 5-year return | -40.62% | +38.83% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.37 | 42.91 |
| Forward P/E | 9.23 | 26.98 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.83 | $1.98 |
| Dividend yield | 5.34% | 0.82% |
| Annual dividend | $3.35 | $0.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.75B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -6.71% | -0.48% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $474.00M | $109.40M |
| Gross margin | 21.07% | 22.96% |
| Operating margin | — | 9.06% |
| Net margin | 5.42% | 5.78% |
| 52-week high | $83.47 | $111.74 |
| 52-week low | $56.11 | $60.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.90% | -23.97% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +27.50% | +27.71% |
| Average volume | 1.15M | 921.65K |
| Shares outstanding | 114.33M | 75.62M |
| Employees | 13,000 | 5,563 |
| 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
- HXL has outperformed EMN by 27.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Hexcel trades at a higher earnings multiple (42.9x vs 16.4x trailing P/E).
- Eastman Chemical offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.34% vs 0.82%).
- Hexcel grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (-0.48% 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 Hexcel
HXL stock →Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets advanced lightweight composites technology. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 5,563 employees
EMN vs HXL FAQ
Which is bigger, Eastman Chemical or Hexcel?
Eastman Chemical (EMN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.17B compared with $6.42B for Hexcel (HXL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EMN or HXL?
HXL returned +29.79% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.28% for EMN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EMN or HXL?
EMN has the lower trailing P/E at 16.4, versus 42.9 for HXL. 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 Hexcel?
Eastman Chemical has the higher yield at 5.34%, compared with 0.82% for Hexcel.
Are Eastman Chemical and Hexcel in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.