Nordson (NDSN) vs Woodward (WWD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Nordson (NDSN) has outperformed Woodward (WWD) over the past year, gaining 39.5% versus a gain of 28.5%. Over five years, WWD leads with a +180.1% price change compared with +33.6% for NDSN. Woodward is the larger company by market cap ($19.10 billion vs $18.21 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Nordson trades at a lower forward P/E (25.2x vs 30.1x for Woodward). Nordson offers the higher dividend yield (1.00% vs 0.30%). Nordson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.4% versus 12.4%.
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 | WWD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $326.87 | $323.45 |
| Market cap | $18.21B | $19.10B |
| 1-day change | -0.25% | -0.25% |
| YTD return | +35.95% | +6.99% |
| 1-year return | +39.50% | +28.51% |
| 5-year return | +33.57% | +180.14% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.08 | 36.06 |
| Forward P/E | 25.18 | 30.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.88 | $8.97 |
| Dividend yield | 1.00% | 0.30% |
| Annual dividend | $3.28 | $0.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.79B | $3.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.78% | +7.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $484.47M | $442.11M |
| Gross margin | 55.16% | 26.81% |
| Operating margin | 25.49% | — |
| Net margin | 17.35% | 12.39% |
| 52-week high | $339.12 | $450.92 |
| 52-week low | $223.29 | $244.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.61% | -28.27% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.99% | +33.71% |
| Average volume | 371.01K | 665.22K |
| Shares outstanding | 55.70M | 59.05M |
| Employees | 8,200 | 10,200 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Aerospace & Defense |
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 WWD by 11.0 percentage points over the past year.
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 Woodward
WWD stock →Woodward, Inc. designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets worldwide.
Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · 10,200 employees
NDSN vs WWD FAQ
Which is bigger, Nordson or Woodward?
Woodward (WWD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $19.10B compared with $18.21B for Nordson (NDSN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NDSN or WWD?
NDSN returned +39.50% over the past 12 months, compared with +28.51% for WWD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NDSN or WWD?
NDSN has the lower trailing P/E at 33.1, versus 36.1 for WWD. 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 Woodward?
Nordson has the higher yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.30% for Woodward.
Are Nordson and Woodward in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Industrial Machinery/Components for Nordson and Aerospace & Defense for Woodward.