Nordson (NDSN) vs Onto Innovation (ONTO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Onto Innovation (ONTO) has outperformed Nordson (NDSN) over the past year, gaining 125.3% versus a gain of 41.9%. Over five years, ONTO leads with a +321.6% price change compared with +33.9% for NDSN. Nordson is the larger company by market cap ($18.25 billion vs $14.94 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Nordson trades at a lower forward P/E (25.2x vs 26.0x for Onto Innovation). Nordson pays a dividend yielding 1.00%, while Onto Innovation does not currently pay one. Nordson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.4% versus 13.6%.
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 | NDSN | ONTO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $327.69 | $304.40 |
| Market cap | $18.25B | $14.94B |
| 1-day change | -1.95% | -2.97% |
| YTD return | +36.29% | +92.83% |
| 1-year return | +41.95% | +125.30% |
| 5-year return | +33.90% | +321.61% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.17 | 114.44 |
| Forward P/E | 25.24 | 26.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.88 | $2.66 |
| Dividend yield | 1.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.28 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.79B | $1.01B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.78% | +1.82% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.47M | $136.76M |
| Gross margin | 55.16% | 49.72% |
| Operating margin | 25.49% | 13.22% |
| Net margin | 17.35% | 13.60% |
| 52-week high | $339.12 | $386.46 |
| 52-week low | $223.29 | $118.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.37% | -21.23% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.72% | +27.30% |
| Average volume | 367.22K | 1.01M |
| Shares outstanding | 55.70M | 49.07M |
| Employees | 8,200 | 1,867 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- ONTO has outperformed NDSN by 83.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Onto Innovation trades at a higher earnings multiple (114.4x vs 33.2x trailing P/E).
- Nordson offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.00% vs 0.00%).
About Nordson
NDSN stock →Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures, and markets products and systems to dispense, apply, and control adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, medical components, and other fluids. The Industrial Precision Solutions segment provides dispensing, coating, and laminating systems for adhesives, lotions, liquids, and fibers to disposable products and roll goods; automated adhesive dispensing systems; components and systems for thermoplastic and biopolymer melt stream; fluid components, such as nozzles, pumps, and filters; smart components that measure and control the flow, quantity and location of dispensed fluid; control systems; and product assembly solutions.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 8,200 employees
About Onto Innovation
ONTO stock →Onto Innovation Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and support of process control tools that perform macro-defect inspection and metrology in the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Asia, and Europe.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,867 employees
NDSN vs ONTO FAQ
Which is bigger, Nordson or Onto Innovation?
Nordson (NDSN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.25B compared with $14.94B for Onto Innovation (ONTO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NDSN or ONTO?
ONTO returned +125.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +41.95% for NDSN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NDSN or ONTO?
NDSN has the lower trailing P/E at 33.2, versus 114.4 for ONTO. 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, Nordson or Onto Innovation?
Nordson pays a dividend yielding 1.00%, while Onto Innovation does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Nordson and Onto Innovation in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.