Eagle Materials (EXP) vs James Hardie Industries (JHX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
James Hardie Industries (JHX) has outperformed Eagle Materials (EXP) over the past year, gaining 13.3% versus a loss of 27.9%. Over five years, EXP leads with a +18.7% price change compared with -33.4% for JHX. James Hardie Industries is the larger company by market cap ($14.49 billion vs $5.13 billion), about 2.8 times the size.
On valuation, Eagle Materials trades at a lower forward P/E (11.9x vs 15.6x for James Hardie Industries). Eagle Materials pays a dividend yielding 0.60%, while James Hardie Industries does not currently pay one. Eagle Materials converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.4% versus 2.2%.
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 | EXP | JHX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $167.18 | $24.96 |
| Market cap | $5.13B | $14.49B |
| 1-day change | -0.19% | +1.42% |
| YTD return | -18.96% | +18.60% |
| 1-year return | -27.88% | +13.31% |
| 5-year return | +18.68% | -33.43% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.17 | 99.84 |
| Forward P/E | 11.87 | 15.58 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.69 | $0.25 |
| Dividend yield | 0.60% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.31B | $4.84B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.13% | +24.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $423.81M | $104.00M |
| Gross margin | 28.27% | 35.77% |
| Operating margin | — | 9.26% |
| Net margin | 18.36% | 2.15% |
| 52-week high | $245.53 | $31.43 |
| 52-week low | $164.47 | $16.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.91% | -20.59% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.16% | +41.11% |
| Average volume | 447.60K | 9.17M |
| Shares outstanding | 30.68M | 580.52M |
| Employees | 2,800 | 7,500 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Building Materials | Building Materials |
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
- James Hardie Industries is about 2.8 times larger than Eagle Materials by market value ($14.49B vs $5.13B).
- JHX has outperformed EXP by 41.2 percentage points over the past year.
- James Hardie Industries trades at a higher earnings multiple (99.8x vs 13.2x trailing P/E).
- Eagle Materials is more profitable, keeping 18.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.2 cents for James Hardie Industries.
- James Hardie Industries grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.71% vs +2.13%).
About Eagle Materials
EXP stock →Eagle Materials Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells heavy construction products and light building materials in the United States. The company operates in four segments: Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, Gypsum Wallboard, and Recycled Paperboard.
Industrials · Building Materials · 2,800 employees
About James Hardie Industries
JHX stock →James Hardie Industries plc engages in the manufacture and sale of fiber cement, fiber gypsum, and cement bonded boards in the United States, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand. It operates through four segments: Siding & Trim, Deck, Rail & Accessories, Australia & New Zealand, and Europe.
Industrials · Building Materials · 7,500 employees
EXP vs JHX FAQ
Which is bigger, Eagle Materials or James Hardie Industries?
James Hardie Industries (JHX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.49B compared with $5.13B for Eagle Materials (EXP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EXP or JHX?
JHX returned +13.31% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.88% for EXP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EXP or JHX?
EXP has the lower trailing P/E at 13.2, versus 99.8 for JHX. 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, Eagle Materials or James Hardie Industries?
Eagle Materials pays a dividend yielding 0.60%, while James Hardie Industries does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Eagle Materials and James Hardie Industries in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Building Materials industry within the Industrials sector.