Kadant (KAI) vs Enpro (NPO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Enpro (NPO) has outperformed Kadant (KAI) over the past year, gaining 42.1% versus a loss of 9.0%. Over five years, NPO leads with a +256.4% price change compared with +26.4% for KAI. Enpro is the larger company by market cap ($6.59 billion vs $3.08 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, Kadant trades at a lower forward P/E (19.3x vs 28.6x for Enpro). Kadant offers the higher dividend yield (0.54% vs 0.40%). Kadant converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.7% versus 3.5%.
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 | KAI | NPO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $260.43 | $311.45 |
| Market cap | $3.08B | $6.59B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | +1.23% |
| YTD return | -8.63% | +45.45% |
| 1-year return | -9.05% | +42.08% |
| 5-year return | +26.38% | +256.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.00 | 151.19 |
| Forward P/E | 19.27 | 28.61 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.30 | $2.06 |
| Dividend yield | 0.54% | 0.40% |
| Annual dividend | $1.40 | $1.26 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.05B | $1.14B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.11% | +9.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $101.97M | $40.50M |
| Gross margin | 45.21% | 42.64% |
| Operating margin | 14.95% | 14.13% |
| Net margin | 9.69% | 3.54% |
| 52-week high | $354.07 | $390.42 |
| 52-week low | $244.87 | $202.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.45% | -20.23% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +38.87% | +25.06% |
| Average volume | 142.93K | 179.96K |
| Shares outstanding | 11.81M | 21.17M |
| Employees | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Metal Fabrications |
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
- Enpro is about 2.1 times larger than Kadant by market value ($6.59B vs $3.08B).
- NPO has outperformed KAI by 51.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Enpro trades at a higher earnings multiple (151.2x vs 28.0x trailing P/E).
- Kadant is more profitable, keeping 9.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.5 cents for Enpro.
- Enpro grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.02% vs -0.11%).
About Kadant
KAI stock →Kadant Inc. supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 4,000 employees
About Enpro
NPO stock →Enpro Inc., an industrial technology company, design, develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary, value-added products and solutions to safeguard critical environments in the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Sealing Technologies and Advanced Surface Technologies.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 4,000 employees
KAI vs NPO FAQ
Which is bigger, Kadant or Enpro?
Enpro (NPO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.59B compared with $3.08B for Kadant (KAI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KAI or NPO?
NPO returned +42.08% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.05% for KAI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KAI or NPO?
KAI has the lower trailing P/E at 28.0, versus 151.2 for NPO. 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, Kadant or Enpro?
Kadant has the higher yield at 0.54%, compared with 0.40% for Enpro.
Are Kadant and Enpro in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Industrial Machinery/Components for Kadant and Metal Fabrications for Enpro.