NPK International (NPKI) vs Quanex Building Products (NX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Quanex Building Products (NX) has outperformed NPK International (NPKI) over the past year, gaining 27.8% versus a gain of 3.4%. Over five years, NPKI leads with a +221.4% price change compared with -12.9% for NX. NPK International is the larger company by market cap ($974.8 million vs $849.6 million), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Quanex Building Products trades at a lower forward P/E (9.4x vs 18.3x for NPK International). Quanex Building Products pays a dividend yielding 1.73%, while NPK International does not currently pay one.
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 | NPKI | NX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $11.48 | $18.54 |
| Market cap | $974.77M | $849.62M |
| 1-day change | +0.61% | +0.82% |
| YTD return | -4.28% | +19.57% |
| 1-year return | +3.45% | +27.80% |
| 5-year return | +221.41% | -12.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.96 | 19.11 |
| Forward P/E | 18.32 | 9.40 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.46 | $0.97 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.73% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.32 |
| 52-week high | $16.50 | $23.33 |
| 52-week low | $10.73 | $11.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.42% | -20.53% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +77.09% | +40.24% |
| Average volume | 806.72K | 388.93K |
| Shares outstanding | 84.91M | 45.83M |
| Employees | 510 | 7,071 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Misc Corporate Leasing Services | Metal Fabrications |
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
- NX has outperformed NPKI by 24.4 percentage points over the past year.
- NPK International trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.0x vs 19.1x trailing P/E).
- Quanex Building Products offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.73% vs 0.00%).
About NPK International
NPKI stock →NPK International Inc., a temporary worksite access solutions company, manufactures, sells, and rents recyclable composite matting products in the United States and United Kingdom. The company engages in the installation and rental of matting systems, and related site construction and services to customers in various markets, including power transmission, oil and natural gas exploration and production, pipeline, renewable energy, petrochemical, construction, and other industries.
Industrials · Misc Corporate Leasing Services · 510 employees
About Quanex Building Products
NX stock →Quanex Building Products Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes components for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the building products industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, and internationally. It offers energy-efficient flexible insulating glass spacers, extruded vinyl profiles, window and door screens, precision-formed metal and wood products, window and door seals, and window and door hardware.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 7,071 employees
NPKI vs NX FAQ
Which is bigger, NPK International or Quanex Building Products?
NPK International (NPKI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $974.77M compared with $849.62M for Quanex Building Products (NX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NPKI or NX?
NX returned +27.80% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.45% for NPKI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NPKI or NX?
NX has the lower trailing P/E at 19.1, versus 25.0 for NPKI. 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, NPK International or Quanex Building Products?
Quanex Building Products pays a dividend yielding 1.73%, while NPK International does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are NPK International and Quanex Building Products in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Misc Corporate Leasing Services for NPK International and Metal Fabrications for Quanex Building Products.