Element Solutions (ESI) vs Westlake (WLK)
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 Westlake (WLK) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a loss of 23.4%. Over five years, ESI leads with a +64.5% price change compared with -37.3% for WLK. Element Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($9.06 billion vs $7.86 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Element Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (17.5x vs 20.8x for Westlake). Westlake offers the higher dividend yield (3.45% vs 0.86%). Element Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.5% versus -13.5%.
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 | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.17 | $61.52 |
| Market cap | $9.06B | $7.86B |
| 1-day change | -1.51% | -2.95% |
| YTD return | +48.74% | -16.80% |
| 1-year return | +40.53% | -23.44% |
| 5-year return | +64.47% | -37.29% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.23 | — |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 20.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.74 | $-9.30 |
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 3.45% |
| Annual dividend | $0.32 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.55B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.84% | -8.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $190.80M | $-1.51B |
| Gross margin | 41.96% | 7.28% |
| Operating margin | 13.41% | -14.13% |
| Net margin | 7.48% | -13.50% |
| 52-week high | $49.25 | $124.23 |
| 52-week low | $22.86 | $56.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.53% | -50.48% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.24% | +39.19% |
| Average volume | 4.83M | 927.33K |
| Shares outstanding | 243.69M | 127.80M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 14,600 |
| 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 WLK by 64.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Westlake offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.45% vs 0.86%).
- Element Solutions is more profitable, keeping 7.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -13.5 cents for Westlake.
- Element Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.84% vs -8.01%).
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 Westlake
WLK stock →Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Performance and Essential Materials and The Housing and Infrastructure Products.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 14,600 employees
ESI vs WLK FAQ
Which is bigger, Element Solutions or Westlake?
Element Solutions (ESI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.06B compared with $7.86B for Westlake (WLK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESI or WLK?
ESI returned +40.53% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.44% for WLK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Element Solutions or Westlake?
Westlake has the higher yield at 3.45%, compared with 0.86% for Element Solutions.
Are Element Solutions and Westlake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.