Innospec (IOSP) vs Stepan (SCL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Stepan (SCL) has outperformed Innospec (IOSP) over the past year, gaining 28.6% versus a gain of 24.7%. Over five years, IOSP leads with a +13.7% price change compared with -48.7% for SCL. Innospec is the larger company by market cap ($2.42 billion vs $1.41 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Innospec trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 16.8x for Stepan). Stepan offers the higher dividend yield (2.53% vs 1.83%).
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 | IOSP | SCL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $98.08 | $62.05 |
| Market cap | $2.42B | $1.41B |
| 1-day change | +0.68% | +1.19% |
| YTD return | +27.28% | +29.48% |
| 1-year return | +24.74% | +28.55% |
| 5-year return | +13.68% | -48.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.02 | — |
| Forward P/E | 15.95 | 16.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.90 | $-0.12 |
| Dividend yield | 1.83% | 2.53% |
| Annual dividend | $1.79 | $1.57 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.78B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.65% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $116.60M | — |
| Gross margin | 27.69% | — |
| Operating margin | 7.28% | — |
| Net margin | 6.56% | — |
| 52-week high | $100.48 | $68.00 |
| 52-week low | $65.51 | $41.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.39% | -8.75% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +2.98% | +36.99% |
| Average volume | 187.41K | 140.91K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.63M | 22.71M |
| Employees | 2,450 | 2,328 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Major Chemicals | Package Goods/Cosmetics |
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
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Innospec in Industrials and Stepan in Consumer Discretionary.
About Innospec
IOSP stock →Innospec Inc. develops, manufactures, blends, markets, and supplies specialty chemicals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 2,450 employees
About Stepan
SCL stock →Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products in the United States, France, Poland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 2,328 employees
IOSP vs SCL FAQ
Which is bigger, Innospec or Stepan?
Innospec (IOSP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.42B compared with $1.41B for Stepan (SCL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IOSP or SCL?
SCL returned +28.55% over the past 12 months, compared with +24.74% for IOSP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Innospec or Stepan?
Stepan has the higher yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.83% for Innospec.
Are Innospec and Stepan in the same industry?
No. Innospec is in the Industrials sector, while Stepan is in Consumer Discretionary.