Tidewater (TDW) vs Cactus (WHD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cactus (WHD) has outperformed Tidewater (TDW) over the past year, gaining 73.2% versus a gain of 54.4%. Over five years, TDW leads with a +567.7% price change compared with +50.1% for WHD. Cactus is the larger company by market cap ($4.41 billion vs $4.21 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Tidewater is growing revenue faster (+0.5% vs -4.5%).
On valuation, Tidewater trades at a lower forward P/E (14.1x vs 17.3x for Cactus). Cactus pays a dividend yielding 0.89%, while Tidewater does not currently pay one. Tidewater converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 24.7% versus 15.4%.
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 | TDW | WHD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $84.70 | $63.22 |
| Market cap | $4.21B | $4.41B |
| 1-day change | +1.56% | +0.19% |
| YTD return | +65.12% | +38.13% |
| 1-year return | +54.44% | +73.16% |
| 5-year return | +567.73% | +50.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.25 | 53.13 |
| Forward P/E | 14.08 | 17.32 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.91 | $1.19 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.89% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.56 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.35B | $1.08B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.52% | -4.49% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $334.66M | $166.01M |
| Gross margin | — | 37.02% |
| Operating margin | 20.89% | 23.21% |
| Net margin | 24.74% | 15.39% |
| 52-week high | $101.58 | $74.07 |
| 52-week low | $46.65 | $33.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.62% | -14.65% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.02% | +11.07% |
| Average volume | 612.97K | 772.46K |
| Shares outstanding | 49.76M | 69.73M |
| Employees | 7,300 | 1,500 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Energy |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services |
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
- WHD has outperformed TDW by 18.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Cactus trades at a higher earnings multiple (53.1x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- Tidewater is more profitable, keeping 24.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.4 cents for Cactus.
- Tidewater grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+0.52% vs -4.49%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Tidewater in Consumer Discretionary and Cactus in Energy.
About Tidewater
TDW stock →Tidewater Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore support vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of a fleet of offshore marine service vessels worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe/Mediterranean, and West Africa.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 7,300 employees
About Cactus
WHD stock →Cactus, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and rents engineered pressure control and spoolable pipe technologies in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and internationally. The company operates in two segments: Pressure Control and Spoolable Technologies.
Energy · Oil & Gas Equipment & Services · 1,500 employees
TDW vs WHD FAQ
Which is bigger, Tidewater or Cactus?
Cactus (WHD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.41B compared with $4.21B for Tidewater (TDW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, TDW or WHD?
WHD returned +73.16% over the past 12 months, compared with +54.44% for TDW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, TDW or WHD?
TDW has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 53.1 for WHD. 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, Tidewater or Cactus?
Cactus pays a dividend yielding 0.89%, while Tidewater does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Tidewater and Cactus in the same industry?
No. Tidewater is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Cactus is in Energy.