Imax (IMAX) vs Kadant (KAI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Imax (IMAX) has outperformed Kadant (KAI) over the past year, gaining 57.0% versus a loss of 13.5%. Over five years, IMAX leads with a +151.8% price change compared with +25.1% for KAI. Kadant is the larger company by market cap ($3.05 billion vs $2.82 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Kadant trades at a lower forward P/E (19.1x vs 24.4x for Imax). Kadant pays a dividend yielding 0.54%, while Imax does not currently pay one.
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 | IMAX | KAI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $51.45 | $257.86 |
| Market cap | $2.82B | $3.05B |
| 1-day change | +1.72% | -2.20% |
| YTD return | +39.20% | -9.53% |
| 1-year return | +57.00% | -13.48% |
| 5-year return | +151.84% | +25.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 70.48 | 27.73 |
| Forward P/E | 24.44 | 19.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.73 | $9.30 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.54% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.40 |
| 52-week high | $57.73 | $354.07 |
| 52-week low | $30.74 | $244.87 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.88% | -27.17% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.48% | +40.26% |
| Average volume | 1.25M | 141.47K |
| Shares outstanding | 54.84M | 11.81M |
| Employees | 679 | 4,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| 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 KAI by 70.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Imax trades at a higher earnings multiple (70.5x vs 27.7x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Imax in Consumer Discretionary and Kadant in Industrials.
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
About Kadant
KAI stock →Kadant Inc. supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 4,000 employees
IMAX vs KAI FAQ
Which is bigger, Imax or Kadant?
Kadant (KAI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.05B compared with $2.82B for Imax (IMAX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IMAX or KAI?
IMAX returned +57.00% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.48% for KAI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, IMAX or KAI?
KAI has the lower trailing P/E at 27.7, versus 70.5 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, Imax or Kadant?
Kadant pays a dividend yielding 0.54%, while Imax does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Imax and Kadant in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.