Knowles (KN) vs Whirlpool (WHR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Knowles (KN) has outperformed Whirlpool (WHR) over the past year, gaining 62.8% versus a loss of 61.9%. Over five years, KN leads with a +94.2% price change compared with -85.9% for WHR. Knowles is the larger company by market cap ($3.16 billion vs $1.90 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Whirlpool trades at a lower forward P/E (8.1x vs 22.9x for Knowles). Whirlpool pays a dividend yielding 9.28%, while Knowles 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 | KN | WHR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.04 | $29.08 |
| Market cap | $3.16B | $1.90B |
| 1-day change | -2.71% | -0.38% |
| YTD return | +77.65% | -59.54% |
| 1-year return | +62.76% | -61.91% |
| 5-year return | +94.23% | -85.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 44.10 | 9.57 |
| Forward P/E | 22.90 | 8.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.84 | $3.04 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 9.28% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $593.20M | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.17% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $44.20M | — |
| Gross margin | 43.21% | — |
| Operating margin | 11.85% | — |
| Net margin | 7.45% | — |
| 52-week high | $42.93 | $94.82 |
| 52-week low | $20.57 | $28.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.72% | -69.33% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.12% | +74.24% |
| Average volume | 808.23K | 2.55M |
| Shares outstanding | 85.41M | 65.20M |
| Employees | 5,200 | 41,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics/Appliances | Consumer Electronics/Appliances |
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
- KN has outperformed WHR by 124.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Knowles trades at a higher earnings multiple (44.1x vs 9.6x trailing P/E).
- Whirlpool offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (9.28% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Knowles in Consumer Staples and Whirlpool in Consumer Discretionary.
About Knowles
KN stock →Knowles Corporation offers capacitors, radio frequency (RF) and microwave filters, balanced armature speakers, and medtech microphones in Asia, the United States, Europe, rest of Americas, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Precision Devices (PD) and Medtech & Specialty Audio (MSA).
Consumer Staples · Consumer Electronics/Appliances · 5,200 employees
About Whirlpool
WHR stock →Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in the North America, Latin America, and internationally. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers.
Consumer Discretionary · Consumer Electronics/Appliances · 41,000 employees
KN vs WHR FAQ
Which is bigger, Knowles or Whirlpool?
Knowles (KN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.16B compared with $1.90B for Whirlpool (WHR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KN or WHR?
KN returned +62.76% over the past 12 months, compared with -61.91% for WHR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KN or WHR?
WHR has the lower trailing P/E at 9.6, versus 44.1 for KN. 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, Knowles or Whirlpool?
Whirlpool pays a dividend yielding 9.28%, while Knowles does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Knowles and Whirlpool in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Consumer Electronics/Appliances industry within the Consumer Staples sector.