Quaker Houghton (KWR) vs Ingevity (NGVT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ingevity (NGVT) has outperformed Quaker Houghton (KWR) over the past year, gaining 31.3% versus a gain of 19.8%. Over five years, NGVT leads with a -9.0% price change compared with -32.9% for KWR. Quaker Houghton is the larger company by market cap ($2.72 billion vs $2.45 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Ingevity trades at a lower forward P/E (11.9x vs 16.6x for Quaker Houghton). Quaker Houghton pays a dividend yielding 1.29%, while Ingevity does not currently pay one. Quaker Houghton converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of -0.1% versus -14.3%.
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 | KWR | NGVT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $158.11 | $71.41 |
| Market cap | $2.72B | $2.45B |
| 1-day change | +0.50% | +0.69% |
| YTD return | +15.15% | +20.67% |
| 1-year return | +19.83% | +31.34% |
| 5-year return | -32.90% | -9.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.18 | 102.01 |
| Forward P/E | 16.59 | 11.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.61 | $0.70 |
| Dividend yield | 1.29% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.04 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.89B | $1.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.66% | -2.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-2.49M | $-167.10M |
| Gross margin | 35.97% | 39.53% |
| Operating margin | 2.81% | 35.86% |
| Net margin | -0.13% | -14.31% |
| 52-week high | $183.01 | $79.29 |
| 52-week low | $112.18 | $45.85 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.61% | -9.94% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.79% | +24.63% |
| Average volume | 148.09K | 250.57K |
| Shares outstanding | 17.21M | 34.38M |
| Employees | 4,700 | 1,400 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Major Chemicals | Major Chemicals |
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
- NGVT has outperformed KWR by 11.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Ingevity trades at a higher earnings multiple (102.0x vs 28.2x trailing P/E).
- Quaker Houghton offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.29% vs 0.00%).
- Quaker Houghton is more profitable, keeping -0.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -14.3 cents for Ingevity.
- Quaker Houghton grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.66% vs -2.71%).
About Quaker Houghton
KWR stock →Quaker Chemical Corporation, doing business as Quaker Houghton, provides industrial process fluids worldwide. The company develops, produces, and markets various formulated specialty chemical products; and offers chemical management services for various heavy industrial and manufacturing applications.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,700 employees
About Ingevity
NGVT stock →Ingevity Corporation manufactures and sells activated carbon products, derivative specialty chemicals, and engineered polymers in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. It operates through three segments: Performance Materials, Performance Chemicals, and Advanced Polymer Technologies.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 1,400 employees
KWR vs NGVT FAQ
Which is bigger, Quaker Houghton or Ingevity?
Quaker Houghton (KWR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.72B compared with $2.45B for Ingevity (NGVT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KWR or NGVT?
NGVT returned +31.34% over the past 12 months, compared with +19.83% for KWR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KWR or NGVT?
KWR has the lower trailing P/E at 28.2, versus 102.0 for NGVT. 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, Quaker Houghton or Ingevity?
Quaker Houghton pays a dividend yielding 1.29%, while Ingevity does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Quaker Houghton and Ingevity in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.