Sensient Technologies (SXT) vs Westlake (WLK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Sensient Technologies (SXT) has outperformed Westlake (WLK) over the past year, gaining 42.9% versus a loss of 23.4%. Over five years, SXT leads with a +37.2% price change compared with -37.3% for WLK. Westlake is the larger company by market cap ($7.86 billion vs $5.62 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Sensient Technologies is growing revenue faster (+3.5% vs -8.0%).
On valuation, Westlake trades at a lower forward P/E (20.8x vs 26.4x for Sensient Technologies). Westlake offers the higher dividend yield (3.45% vs 1.24%). Sensient Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.3% versus -13.5%.
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 | SXT | WLK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $132.00 | $61.52 |
| Market cap | $5.62B | $7.86B |
| 1-day change | -0.68% | -2.95% |
| YTD return | +40.50% | -16.80% |
| 1-year return | +42.95% | -23.44% |
| 5-year return | +37.20% | -37.29% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 35.58 | — |
| Forward P/E | 26.43 | 20.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.71 | $-9.58 |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 3.45% |
| Annual dividend | $1.64 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.61B | $11.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.52% | -8.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $134.49M | $-1.51B |
| Gross margin | 33.45% | 7.28% |
| Operating margin | 12.85% | -14.13% |
| Net margin | 8.34% | -13.50% |
| 52-week high | $138.82 | $124.23 |
| 52-week low | $82.60 | $56.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.91% | -50.48% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.39% | +39.19% |
| Average volume | 426.57K | 927.33K |
| Shares outstanding | 42.56M | 127.80M |
| Employees | 4,070 | 14,600 |
| 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
- SXT has outperformed WLK by 66.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Westlake offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.45% vs 1.24%).
- Sensient Technologies is more profitable, keeping 8.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -13.5 cents for Westlake.
- Sensient Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.52% vs -8.01%).
About Sensient Technologies
SXT stock →Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients worldwide. It operates in three segments: Flavors & Extracts, Color, and Asia Pacific.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,070 employees
About Westlake
WLK stock →Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Performance and Essential Materials and The Housing and Infrastructure Products.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 14,600 employees
SXT vs WLK FAQ
Which is bigger, Sensient Technologies or Westlake?
Westlake (WLK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.86B compared with $5.62B for Sensient Technologies (SXT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SXT or WLK?
SXT returned +42.95% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.44% for WLK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Sensient Technologies or Westlake?
Westlake has the higher yield at 3.45%, compared with 1.24% for Sensient Technologies.
Are Sensient Technologies and Westlake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.