Element Solutions (ESI) vs International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Element Solutions (ESI) has outperformed International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 37.8%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with -43.0% for IFF. International Flavors & Fragrances is the larger company by market cap ($21.46 billion vs $9.06 billion), about 2.4 times the size, while Element Solutions is growing revenue faster (+3.8% vs -5.2%).
On valuation, Element Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (17.5x vs 21.2x for International Flavors & Fragrances). International Flavors & Fragrances offers the higher dividend yield (1.90% vs 0.86%). Element Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.5% versus -3.3%.
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 | ESI | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.17 | $84.11 |
| Market cap | $9.06B | $21.46B |
| 1-day change | -1.51% | +0.23% |
| YTD return | +48.74% | +24.81% |
| 1-year return | +40.53% | +37.84% |
| 5-year return | +64.47% | -43.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.23 | 83.28 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 21.21 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.74 | $1.01 |
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 1.90% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $1.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.55B | $10.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.84% | -5.17% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $190.80M | $-359.00M |
| Gross margin | 41.96% | 36.16% |
| Operating margin | 13.41% | -3.51% |
| Net margin | 7.48% | -3.30% |
| 52-week high | $49.25 | $89.32 |
| 52-week low | $22.86 | $59.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.53% | -5.83% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.24% | +14.48% |
| Average volume | 4.83M | 1.69M |
| Shares outstanding | 243.69M | 255.15M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 21,500 |
| 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
- International Flavors & Fragrances is about 2.4 times larger than Element Solutions by market value ($21.46B vs $9.06B).
- International Flavors & Fragrances trades at a higher earnings multiple (83.3x vs 50.2x trailing P/E).
- International Flavors & Fragrances offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.90% vs 0.86%).
- Element Solutions is more profitable, keeping 7.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -3.3 cents for International Flavors & Fragrances.
- Element Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.84% vs -5.17%).
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
About International Flavors & Fragrances
IFF stock →International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food, beverage, health and biosciences, scent, and complementary adjacent products in the United States, and internationally. It operates in through Taste, Food Ingredients, Health & Biosciences, and Scent segments.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 21,500 employees
ESI vs IFF FAQ
Which is bigger, Element Solutions or International Flavors & Fragrances?
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $21.46B compared with $9.06B for Element Solutions (ESI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESI or IFF?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +37.84% for IFF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESI or IFF?
ESI has the lower trailing P/E at 50.2, versus 83.3 for IFF. 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, Element Solutions or International Flavors & Fragrances?
International Flavors & Fragrances has the higher yield at 1.90%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Element Solutions and International Flavors & Fragrances in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.