Quaker Houghton (KWR) vs WD-40 (WDFC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Quaker Houghton (KWR) has outperformed WD-40 (WDFC) over the past year, gaining 19.8% versus a gain of 6.0%. Over five years, WDFC leads with a -12.5% price change compared with -32.9% for KWR. WD-40 is the larger company by market cap ($2.74 billion vs $2.72 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Quaker Houghton trades at a lower forward P/E (16.6x vs 31.5x for WD-40). WD-40 offers the higher dividend yield (1.96% vs 1.29%). WD-40 converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.7% versus -0.1%.
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 | WDFC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $158.11 | $203.90 |
| Market cap | $2.72B | $2.74B |
| 1-day change | +0.50% | +1.19% |
| YTD return | +15.15% | +3.56% |
| 1-year return | +19.83% | +5.97% |
| 5-year return | -32.90% | -12.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.18 | 30.99 |
| Forward P/E | 16.59 | 31.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.61 | $6.58 |
| Dividend yield | 1.29% | 1.96% |
| Annual dividend | $2.04 | $4.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.89B | $619.99M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.66% | +4.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-2.49M | $90.99M |
| Gross margin | 35.97% | 55.06% |
| Operating margin | 2.81% | 16.74% |
| Net margin | -0.13% | 14.68% |
| 52-week high | $183.01 | $298.90 |
| 52-week low | $112.18 | $175.38 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.61% | -31.78% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.79% | +33.24% |
| Average volume | 148.09K | 136.73K |
| Shares outstanding | 17.21M | 13.42M |
| Employees | 4,700 | 714 |
| 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
- KWR has outperformed WDFC by 13.9 percentage points over the past year.
- WD-40 is more profitable, keeping 14.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -0.1 cents for Quaker Houghton.
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 WD-40
WDFC stock →WD-40 Company engages in the provision of maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products in North America, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers multi-purpose maintenance products that include aerosol sprays, non-aerosol trigger sprays, precision pens, and in liquid-bulk form products under the WD-40 Multi-Use brand; specialty maintenance products, such as penetrants, degreasers, corrosion inhibitors, greases, lubricants, and rust removers under the WD-40 Specialist brand; drip and specialty oil lubricant, and specialty maintenance products under the 3-IN-ONE brand; and e bike maintenance products under the GT85 brand.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 714 employees
KWR vs WDFC FAQ
Which is bigger, Quaker Houghton or WD-40?
WD-40 (WDFC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.74B compared with $2.72B for Quaker Houghton (KWR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KWR or WDFC?
KWR returned +19.83% over the past 12 months, compared with +5.97% for WDFC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KWR or WDFC?
KWR has the lower trailing P/E at 28.2, versus 31.0 for WDFC. 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 WD-40?
WD-40 has the higher yield at 1.96%, compared with 1.29% for Quaker Houghton.
Are Quaker Houghton and WD-40 in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.