Hayward (HAYW) vs Imax (IMAX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Imax (IMAX) has outperformed Hayward (HAYW) over the past year, gaining 59.2% versus a loss of 26.6%. Over five years, IMAX leads with a +151.2% price change compared with -50.0% for HAYW. Imax is the larger company by market cap ($2.80 billion vs $2.40 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Hayward trades at a lower forward P/E (11.9x vs 23.7x for Imax). Hayward converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.5% versus 8.5%.
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 | HAYW | IMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $11.34 | $51.00 |
| Market cap | $2.40B | $2.80B |
| 1-day change | -0.92% | -0.60% |
| YTD return | -25.95% | +38.83% |
| 1-year return | -26.62% | +59.25% |
| 5-year return | -50.00% | +151.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.53 | 69.86 |
| Forward P/E | 11.85 | 23.65 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.73 | $0.73 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.12B | $410.21M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.71% | +16.47% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $151.57M | $34.88M |
| Gross margin | 48.00% | 60.02% |
| Operating margin | 20.79% | 20.53% |
| Net margin | 13.51% | 8.50% |
| 52-week high | $17.73 | $57.73 |
| 52-week low | $11.28 | $30.74 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.07% | -11.66% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +58.18% | +10.45% |
| Average volume | 3.00M | 1.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 212.12M | 54.84M |
| Employees | 1,960 | 679 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- IMAX has outperformed HAYW by 85.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Imax trades at a higher earnings multiple (69.9x vs 15.5x trailing P/E).
- Hayward is more profitable, keeping 13.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.5 cents for Imax.
- Imax grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.47% vs +6.71%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Hayward in Industrials and Imax in Consumer Discretionary.
About Hayward
HAYW stock →Hayward Holdings, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of pool equipment and associated automation systems in North America, Europe, and internationally.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,960 employees
About Imax
IMAX stock →IMAX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a technology platform for entertainment and events in the United States, Canada, Greater China, rest of Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through Content Solutions; and Technology Products and Services segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 679 employees
HAYW vs IMAX FAQ
Which is bigger, Hayward or Imax?
Imax (IMAX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.80B compared with $2.40B for Hayward (HAYW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HAYW or IMAX?
IMAX returned +59.25% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.62% for HAYW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HAYW or IMAX?
HAYW has the lower trailing P/E at 15.5, versus 69.9 for IMAX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Hayward and Imax in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.