Element Solutions (ESI) vs NewMarket (NEU)
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 NewMarket (NEU) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 5.7%. Over five years, NEU leads with a +142.4% price change compared with +64.5% for ESI. Element Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($9.06 billion vs $8.33 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Element Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (17.5x vs 35.1x for NewMarket). NewMarket offers the higher dividend yield (1.30% vs 0.86%). NewMarket converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.4% versus 7.5%.
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 | NEU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.17 | $905.83 |
| Market cap | $9.06B | $8.33B |
| 1-day change | -1.51% | -2.21% |
| YTD return | +48.74% | +31.80% |
| 1-year return | +40.53% | +5.68% |
| 5-year return | +64.47% | +142.42% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.92 | 19.93 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 35.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.73 | $45.44 |
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 1.30% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $11.75 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.55B | $2.73B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.84% | -2.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $190.80M | $418.75M |
| Gross margin | 41.96% | 31.46% |
| Operating margin | 13.41% | 19.95% |
| Net margin | 7.48% | 15.37% |
| 52-week high | $49.25 | $981.66 |
| 52-week low | $22.86 | $580.03 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.53% | -7.72% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.24% | — |
| Average volume | 4.83M | 123.88K |
| Shares outstanding | 243.69M | 9.20M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 2,050 |
| 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 NEU by 34.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Element Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (50.9x vs 19.9x trailing P/E).
- NewMarket is more profitable, keeping 15.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.5 cents for Element Solutions.
- Element Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.84% vs -2.20%).
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 NewMarket
NEU stock →NewMarket Corporation, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the manufacture and sale of petroleum additives. It offers lubricant additives for use in various vehicle and industrial applications, including engine oils, transmission fluids, off-road powertrain and hydraulic systems, gear oils, hydraulic oils, turbine oils, and other applications where metal-to-metal moving parts are utilized; engine oil additives designed for passenger cars, motorcycles, on and off-road heavy duty commercial equipment, locomotives, and engines in ocean-going vessels; driveline additives designed for products, such as transmission fluids, axle fluids, and off-road powertrain fluids; and industrial additives designed for products for industrial applications consisting of hydraulic fluids, greases, industrial gear fluids, and industrial specialty applications comprising turbine oils.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 2,050 employees
ESI vs NEU FAQ
Which is bigger, Element Solutions or NewMarket?
Element Solutions (ESI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.06B compared with $8.33B for NewMarket (NEU).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESI or NEU?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +5.68% for NEU (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESI or NEU?
NEU has the lower trailing P/E at 19.9, versus 50.9 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, Element Solutions or NewMarket?
NewMarket has the higher yield at 1.30%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Element Solutions and NewMarket in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.