IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$19.99B
5Y Perf.-41.2%
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Stock Comparison
IFF vs SHW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$78.98B
5Y Perf.+61.8%
IFF vs SHW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | IFF | SHW |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $19.99B | $78.98B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $10.79B | $23.94B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $839M | $2.60B |
| Gross Margin | 35.1% | 49.1% |
| Operating Margin | 8.0% | 16.1% |
| Forward P/E | 17.8x | 27.3x |
| Total Debt | $6.65B | $14.53B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $590M | $207M |
IFF vs SHW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
IFF
SHW
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 58.8 | -41.2% |
| The Sherwin-William… (SHW) | 100 | 161.8 | +61.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IFF vs SHW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: IFF leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. The Sherwin-Williams Company is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
The Income Pick
IFF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.68, yield 2.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.68, Low D/E 46.9%, current ratio 1.42x
- Beta 0.68, yield 2.0%, current ratio 1.42x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
SHW
The Sherwin-Williams Company
The Growth Play
SHW is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 2.1%, EPS growth -2.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.1%
- 250.0% 10Y total return vs IFF's -12.6%
- 2.1% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SHW | 2.1% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | IFF | Lower P/E (17.8x vs 27.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | SHW | 10.9% margin vs IFF's 7.8% |
| Stability / Safety | IFF | Beta 0.68 vs SHW's 0.79, lower leverage |
| Dividends | IFF | 2.0% yield, vs SHW's 1.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | IFF | +8.5% vs SHW's -8.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SHW | 10.0% ROA vs IFF's 3.3%, ROIC 16.5% vs 3.5% |
IFF vs SHW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
IFF vs SHW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSHWLAGGINGIFF
IFFInternational Flavors…
2leads
SHWThe Sherwin-Williams …
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IFFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SHW5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IFF5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SHW6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SHW4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
IFF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SHW is the larger business by revenue, generating $23.9B annually — 2.2x IFF's $10.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 10.9% (SHW) to 7.8% (IFF). On growth, SHW holds the edge at +6.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $10.8B | $23.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.7B | $4.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $839M | $2.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $400M | $2.9B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.1% | +49.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.0% | +16.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +10.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.7% | +12.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.6% | +6.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +116.6% | +7.5% |
SHW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, IFF's 13.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SHW's 21.2x.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $20.0B | $79.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $26.1B | $93.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -53.60x | 31.18x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.84x | 27.27x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.51x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.28x | 21.24x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.84x | 3.35x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.41x | 17.33x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 78.09x | 29.76x |
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHW leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SHW delivers a 58.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $58 in annual profit, vs $6 for IFF. IFF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SHW's 3.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SHW scores 6/9 vs IFF's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.9% | +58.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.3% | +10.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +16.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +21.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.47x | 3.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6.1B | $14.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $590M | $207M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6.7B | $14.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.26x | 7.83x |
SHW leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SHW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SHW five years ago would be worth $11,612 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,190 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, IFF leads with a +8.5% total return vs SHW's -8.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SHW at 12.5% vs IFF's -4.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.6% | -2.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.5% | -8.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.2% | +42.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -38.1% | +16.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -12.6% | +250.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.6% | +12.5% |
SHW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IFF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IFF is the less volatile stock with a 0.68 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SHW's 0.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IFF currently trades 93.0% from its 52-week high vs SHW's 84.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.68x | 0.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $84.19 | $379.65 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $59.14 | $301.58 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.0% | +84.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 72.5 | 47.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 1.6M |
IFF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — IFF and SHW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IFF as "Buy" and SHW as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 21.6% upside for SHW (target: $389) vs 12.1% for IFF (target: $88). For income investors, IFF offers the higher dividend yield at 2.04% vs SHW's 0.99%.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | SHWThe Sherwin-Willi… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $87.75 | $389.43 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 38 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.0% | +1.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 37 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.60 | $3.17 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — IFF and SHW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
SHW leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). IFF leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallThe Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
IFF vs SHW: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IFF or SHW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) is the stronger pick with 2.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) offers the better valuation at 31. 2x trailing P/E (27. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) a "Buy" — based on 33 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 — IFF or SHW?
On forward P/E, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
is actually cheaper at 17. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — IFF or SHW?
Over the past 5 years, The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) delivered a total return of +16.
1%, compared to -38. 1% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SHW returned +250. 0% versus IFF's -12. 6%. 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 — IFF or SHW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 68β versus The Sherwin-Williams Company's 0. 79β — meaning SHW is approximately 17% more volatile than IFF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 3% for The Sherwin-Williams Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — IFF or SHW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) is pulling ahead at 2.
1% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Sherwin-Williams Company grew EPS -2. 7% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SHW leads at 2. 1% 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 — IFF or SHW?
The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) is the more profitable company, earning 10.
9% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SHW leads at 16. 1% versus 9. 2% for IFF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SHW leads at 48. 9%, 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 IFF or SHW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) trades at 17. 8x forward P/E versus 27. 3x for The Sherwin-Williams Company — 9. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SHW: 21. 6% to $389. 43.
08Which pays a better dividend — IFF or SHW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 1. 0% for The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW).
09Is IFF or SHW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
79), 1. 0% yield, +250. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SHW: +250. 0%, IFF: -12. 6%), 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 IFF and SHW?
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.
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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Revenue Growth>
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(IFF: -3.6% · SHW: 6.8%)Net Margin>
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