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CE vs AVNT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
CE vs AVNT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $6.95B | $3.47B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $9.49B | $3.26B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1.02B | $82M |
| Gross Margin | 20.1% | 31.7% |
| Operating Margin | -7.4% | 6.4% |
| Forward P/E | 11.1x | 12.4x |
| Total Debt | $12.93B | $1.92B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.26B | $511M |
CE vs AVNT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celanese Corporation (CE) | 100 | 69.1 | -30.9% |
| Avient Corporation (AVNT) | 100 | 152.7 | +52.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CE vs AVNT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CE is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth -7.2%, EPS growth 23.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -0.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.11, current ratio 1.55x
- Lower P/E (11.1x vs 12.4x)
AVNT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 14 yrs, beta 1.19, yield 2.8%
- 28.8% 10Y total return vs CE's 16.9%
- Beta 1.19, yield 2.8%, current ratio 1.66x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 0.6% revenue growth vs CE's -7.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (11.1x vs 12.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 2.5% margin vs CE's -10.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.11 vs AVNT's 1.19 | |
| Dividends | 2.8% yield, 14-year raise streak, vs CE's 0.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +26.9% vs AVNT's +9.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.4% ROA vs CE's -4.6%, ROIC 3.9% vs 3.4% |
CE vs AVNT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CE vs AVNT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AVNT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CE is the larger business by revenue, generating $9.5B annually — 2.9x AVNT's $3.3B. AVNT is the more profitable business, keeping 2.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CE's -10.8%. On growth, AVNT holds the edge at +1.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $9.5B | $3.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $58M | $395M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1.0B | $82M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $944M | $195M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +20.1% | +31.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -7.4% | +6.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -10.8% | +2.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +9.9% | +6.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.2% | +1.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.1% | -65.4% |
Valuation Metrics
CE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CE's 12.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AVNT's 12.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.0B | $3.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $18.6B | $4.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -5.84x | 42.52x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 11.12x | 12.39x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.33x | 12.54x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.73x | 1.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.52x | 1.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.66x | 17.80x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AVNT leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AVNT delivers a 3.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $-22 for CE. AVNT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.81x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CE's 2.89x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AVNT scores 5/9 vs CE's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -21.5% | +3.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.6% | +1.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.4% | +3.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.1% | +4.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.89x | 0.81x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $11.7B | $1.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.3B | $511M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $12.9B | $1.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.57x | 2.10x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AVNT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AVNT five years ago would be worth $8,041 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,276 for CE. Over the past 12 months, CE leads with a +26.9% total return vs AVNT's +9.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AVNT at 1.9% vs CE's -14.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +47.5% | +20.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +26.9% | +9.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -37.3% | +5.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -57.2% | -19.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +16.9% | +28.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -14.4% | +1.9% |
Risk & Volatility
CE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CE is the less volatile stock with a 1.11 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AVNT's 1.19 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CE currently trades 87.9% from its 52-week high vs AVNT's 84.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.11x | 1.19x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $70.70 | $44.85 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $35.13 | $27.48 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.9% | +84.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 62.4 | 51.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.4M | 622K |
Analyst Outlook
AVNT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CE as "Hold" and AVNT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 27.9% upside for AVNT (target: $48) vs 5.3% for CE (target: $65). For income investors, AVNT offers the higher dividend yield at 2.84% vs CE's 0.19%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $65.40 | $48.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 37 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.2% | +2.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.12 | $1.08 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.1% |
AVNT leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CE leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
CE vs AVNT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CE or AVNT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Avient Corporation (AVNT) is the stronger pick with 0.
6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 2% for Celanese Corporation (CE). Avient Corporation (AVNT) offers the better valuation at 42. 5x trailing P/E (12. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Avient Corporation (AVNT) a "Buy" — based on 20 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CE or AVNT?
On forward P/E, Celanese Corporation is actually cheaper at 11.
1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CE or AVNT?
Over the past 5 years, Avient Corporation (AVNT) delivered a total return of -19.
6%, compared to -57. 2% for Celanese Corporation (CE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AVNT returned +28. 8% versus CE's +16. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CE or AVNT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Celanese Corporation (CE) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
11β versus Avient Corporation's 1. 19β — meaning AVNT is approximately 8% more volatile than CE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Avient Corporation (AVNT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 81% versus 3% for Celanese Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CE or AVNT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Avient Corporation (AVNT) is pulling ahead at 0.
6% versus -7. 2% for Celanese Corporation (CE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Celanese Corporation grew EPS 23. 6% year-over-year, compared to -51. 6% for Avient Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CE leads at -0. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CE or AVNT?
Avient Corporation (AVNT) is the more profitable company, earning 2.
5% net margin versus -12. 2% for Celanese Corporation — meaning it keeps 2. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CE leads at 8. 0% versus 6. 2% for AVNT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AVNT leads at 32. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CE or AVNT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Celanese Corporation (CE) trades at 11.
1x forward P/E versus 12. 4x for Avient Corporation — 1. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AVNT: 27. 9% to $48. 40.
08Which pays a better dividend — CE or AVNT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Avient Corporation (AVNT) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 0. 2% for Celanese Corporation (CE).
09Is CE or AVNT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Avient Corporation (AVNT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
19), 2. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AVNT: +28. 8%, CE: +16. 9%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CE and AVNT?
Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
AVNT pays a dividend while CE does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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