Eastman Chemical (EMN) vs Sensient Technologies (SXT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Sensient Technologies (SXT) has outperformed Eastman Chemical (EMN) over the past year, gaining 42.9% versus a gain of 1.4%. Over five years, SXT leads with a +37.2% price change compared with -41.1% for EMN. Eastman Chemical is the larger company by market cap ($7.23 billion vs $5.62 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Sensient Technologies is growing revenue faster (+3.5% vs -6.7%).
On valuation, Eastman Chemical trades at a lower forward P/E (9.3x vs 26.4x for Sensient Technologies). Eastman Chemical offers the higher dividend yield (5.30% vs 1.24%). Sensient Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.3% 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 | SXT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.25 | $132.00 |
| Market cap | $7.23B | $5.62B |
| 1-day change | -1.34% | -0.68% |
| YTD return | -0.91% | +40.50% |
| 1-year return | +1.44% | +42.95% |
| 5-year return | -41.09% | +37.20% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.51 | 35.58 |
| Forward P/E | 9.31 | 26.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.83 | $3.71 |
| Dividend yield | 5.30% | 1.24% |
| Annual dividend | $3.35 | $1.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.75B | $1.61B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -6.71% | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $474.00M | $134.49M |
| Gross margin | 21.07% | 33.45% |
| Operating margin | — | 12.85% |
| Net margin | 5.42% | 8.34% |
| 52-week high | $83.47 | $138.82 |
| 52-week low | $56.11 | $82.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.22% | -4.91% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.37% | +9.39% |
| Average volume | 1.14M | 426.57K |
| Shares outstanding | 114.33M | 42.56M |
| Employees | 13,000 | 4,070 |
| 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
- SXT has outperformed EMN by 41.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Sensient Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.6x vs 16.5x trailing P/E).
- Eastman Chemical offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.30% vs 1.24%).
- Sensient Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.52% 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 Sensient Technologies
SXT stock →Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients worldwide. It operates in three segments: Flavors & Extracts, Color, and Asia Pacific.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,070 employees
EMN vs SXT FAQ
Which is bigger, Eastman Chemical or Sensient Technologies?
Eastman Chemical (EMN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.23B compared with $5.62B for Sensient Technologies (SXT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EMN or SXT?
SXT returned +42.95% 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 SXT?
EMN has the lower trailing P/E at 16.5, versus 35.6 for SXT. 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 Sensient Technologies?
Eastman Chemical has the higher yield at 5.30%, compared with 1.24% for Sensient Technologies.
Are Eastman Chemical and Sensient Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.