Element Solutions (ESI) vs RPM International (RPM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Element Solutions (ESI) has outperformed RPM International (RPM) over the past year, gaining 39.3% versus a loss of 12.1%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with +19.1% for RPM. RPM International is the larger company by market cap ($12.47 billion vs $8.78 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, RPM International trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 17.0x for Element Solutions). RPM International offers the higher dividend yield (2.21% vs 0.89%). RPM International converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.4% 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 | RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $36.03 | $97.77 |
| Market cap | $8.78B | $12.47B |
| 1-day change | -1.85% | -1.67% |
| YTD return | +46.90% | -4.39% |
| 1-year return | +39.32% | -12.10% |
| 5-year return | +64.47% | +19.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 48.69 | 18.07 |
| Forward P/E | 17.01 | 14.77 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.74 | $5.41 |
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | 2.21% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $2.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.55B | $7.86B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.84% | +6.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $190.80M | $661.39M |
| Gross margin | 41.96% | 41.44% |
| Operating margin | 13.41% | — |
| Net margin | 7.48% | 8.41% |
| 52-week high | $49.25 | $121.78 |
| 52-week low | $22.86 | $92.92 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.84% | -19.72% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.20% | +29.22% |
| Average volume | 4.60M | 1.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 243.69M | 127.53M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 17,500 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Major Chemicals | Paints/Coatings |
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 RPM by 51.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Element Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (48.7x vs 18.1x trailing P/E).
- RPM International offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.21% vs 0.89%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Element Solutions in Industrials and RPM International in Consumer Discretionary.
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 RPM International
RPM stock →RPM International Inc. provides specialty chemicals for the construction, industrial, specialty, and consumer markets.
Consumer Discretionary · Paints/Coatings · 17,500 employees
ESI vs RPM FAQ
Which is bigger, Element Solutions or RPM International?
RPM International (RPM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.47B compared with $8.78B for Element Solutions (ESI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESI or RPM?
ESI returned +39.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.10% for RPM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESI or RPM?
RPM has the lower trailing P/E at 18.1, versus 48.7 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 RPM International?
RPM International has the higher yield at 2.21%, compared with 0.89% for Element Solutions.
Are Element Solutions and RPM International in the same industry?
No. Element Solutions is in the Industrials sector, while RPM International is in Consumer Discretionary.