Nordson (NDSN) vs Snap-On (SNA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Nordson (NDSN) has outperformed Snap-On (SNA) over the past year, gaining 41.9% versus a gain of 6.8%. Over five years, SNA leads with a +64.2% price change compared with +33.9% for NDSN. Snap-On is the larger company by market cap ($18.62 billion vs $18.22 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Nordson is growing revenue faster (+3.8% vs +0.9%).
On valuation, Snap-On trades at a lower forward P/E (16.8x vs 25.2x for Nordson). Snap-On offers the higher dividend yield (2.63% vs 1.00%). Snap-On converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.7% versus 17.4%.
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 | SNA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $327.12 | $359.93 |
| Market cap | $18.22B | $18.62B |
| 1-day change | -0.18% | +0.01% |
| YTD return | +36.29% | +4.44% |
| 1-year return | +41.95% | +6.84% |
| 5-year return | +33.90% | +64.21% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.11 | 18.35 |
| Forward P/E | 25.20 | 16.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.88 | $19.62 |
| Dividend yield | 1.00% | 2.63% |
| Annual dividend | $3.28 | $9.46 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.79B | $5.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.78% | +0.93% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.47M | $1.02B |
| Gross margin | 55.16% | — |
| Operating margin | 25.49% | 25.75% |
| Net margin | 17.35% | 19.72% |
| 52-week high | $339.12 | $423.02 |
| 52-week low | $223.29 | $320.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.54% | -14.91% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.91% | +15.27% |
| Average volume | 369.29K | 314.80K |
| Shares outstanding | 55.70M | 51.73M |
| Employees | 8,200 | 13,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- NDSN has outperformed SNA by 35.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Nordson trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.1x vs 18.3x trailing P/E).
- Snap-On offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.63% vs 1.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Nordson in Industrials and Snap-On in Consumer Discretionary.
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 Snap-On
SNA stock →Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 13,000 employees
NDSN vs SNA FAQ
Which is bigger, Nordson or Snap-On?
Snap-On (SNA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.62B compared with $18.22B for Nordson (NDSN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NDSN or SNA?
NDSN returned +41.95% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.84% for SNA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NDSN or SNA?
SNA has the lower trailing P/E at 18.3, versus 33.1 for NDSN. 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 Snap-On?
Snap-On has the higher yield at 2.63%, compared with 1.00% for Nordson.
Are Nordson and Snap-On in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.