Element Solutions (ESI) vs LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB)
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 LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 19.1%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with -41.0% for LYB. LyondellBasell Industries NV is the larger company by market cap ($18.89 billion vs $9.06 billion), about 2.1 times the size, while Element Solutions is growing revenue faster (+3.8% vs -9.7%).
On valuation, LyondellBasell Industries NV trades at a lower forward P/E (9.4x vs 17.5x for Element Solutions). LyondellBasell Industries NV offers the higher dividend yield (7.04% vs 0.86%). Element Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.5% versus -2.4%.
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 | ESI | LYB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.17 | $58.49 |
| Market cap | $9.06B | $18.89B |
| 1-day change | -1.51% | -0.75% |
| YTD return | +48.74% | +35.08% |
| 1-year return | +40.53% | +19.05% |
| 5-year return | +64.47% | -40.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.23 | — |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 9.41 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.74 | $-0.83 |
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 7.04% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $4.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.55B | $30.15B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.84% | -9.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $190.80M | $-738.00M |
| Gross margin | 41.96% | 8.55% |
| Operating margin | 13.41% | -1.39% |
| Net margin | 7.48% | -2.45% |
| 52-week high | $49.25 | $83.94 |
| 52-week low | $22.86 | $41.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.53% | -30.32% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.24% | +16.16% |
| Average volume | 4.83M | 4.06M |
| Shares outstanding | 243.69M | 323.04M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 18,970 |
| 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
- LyondellBasell Industries NV is about 2.1 times larger than Element Solutions by market value ($18.89B vs $9.06B).
- ESI has outperformed LYB by 21.5 percentage points over the past year.
- LyondellBasell Industries NV offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (7.04% vs 0.86%).
- Element Solutions is more profitable, keeping 7.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -2.4 cents for LyondellBasell Industries NV.
- Element Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.84% vs -9.71%).
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 LyondellBasell Industries NV
LYB stock →LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, China, Mexico, Italy, Japan, France, Poland, the Netherlands, and internationally.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 18,970 employees
ESI vs LYB FAQ
Which is bigger, Element Solutions or LyondellBasell Industries NV?
LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.89B compared with $9.06B for Element Solutions (ESI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESI or LYB?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +19.05% for LYB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Element Solutions or LyondellBasell Industries NV?
LyondellBasell Industries NV has the higher yield at 7.04%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Element Solutions and LyondellBasell Industries NV in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.