NL
NL Industries, Inc.
Security & Protection Services
Market Cap$289M
5Y Perf.+89.1%
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Stock Comparison
NL vs CODI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CODI
Compass Diversified
Conglomerates
Market Cap$874M
5Y Perf.-31.5%
NL vs CODI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NL | CODI |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Security & Protection Services | Conglomerates |
| Market Cap | $289M | $874M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $159M | $1.85B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-34M | $-227M |
| Gross Margin | 31.1% | 38.7% |
| Operating Margin | 7.8% | 0.3% |
| Forward P/E | 6.8x | 145.3x |
| Total Debt | $500K | $1.88B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $114M | $68M |
NL vs CODI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NL
CODI
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL Industries, Inc. (NL) | 100 | 189.1 | +89.1% |
| Compass Diversified (CODI) | 100 | 68.5 | -31.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NL vs CODI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NL leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Compass Diversified is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
NL
NL Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
NL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.87, yield 9.6%
- Rev growth 8.5%, EPS growth -155.8%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.7%
- 220.4% 10Y total return vs CODI's 52.1%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
CODI
Compass Diversified
The Quality Compounder
CODI is the clearest fit if your priority is quality and efficiency.
- -12.3% margin vs NL's -21.5%
- -7.3% ROA vs NL's -9.1%, ROIC 1.0% vs 3.9%
Best for: quality and efficiency
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NL | 8.5% revenue growth vs CODI's 4.8% |
| Value | NL | Lower P/E (6.8x vs 145.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | CODI | -12.3% margin vs NL's -21.5% |
| Stability / Safety | NL | Beta 0.87 vs CODI's 1.09, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NL | 9.6% yield, vs CODI's 4.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | NL | -25.5% vs CODI's -32.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CODI | -7.3% ROA vs NL's -9.1%, ROIC 1.0% vs 3.9% |
NL vs CODI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
NL vs CODI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNLLAGGINGCODI
CODICompass Diversified
0leads
NLNL Industries, Inc.
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CODIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NL4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NL4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NL6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NL5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
NL1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CODI is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.8B annually — 11.6x NL's $159M. CODI is the more profitable business, keeping -12.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NL's -21.5%. On growth, NL holds the edge at +0.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NLNL Industries, In… | CODICompass Diversifi… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $159M | $1.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $15M | $109M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$34M | -$227M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $4M | $10M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.1% | +38.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +0.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -21.5% | -12.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.6% | +0.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +0.7% | -5.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.0% | -5.1% |
NL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NL leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, NL's 10.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CODI's 14.8x.
| Metric | NLNL Industries, In… | CODICompass Diversifi… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $289M | $874M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $176M | $2.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -7.69x | -3.81x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.80x | 145.25x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.22x | 14.82x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.83x | 0.47x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.77x | 1.52x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
NL leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NL delivers a -8.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-9 in annual profit, vs $-50 for CODI. NL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CODI's 3.27x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CODI scores 5/9 vs NL's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | NLNL Industries, In… | CODICompass Diversifi… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -8.7% | -49.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -9.1% | -7.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.9% | +1.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.9% | +2.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 3.27x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$113M | $1.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $114M | $68M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $500,000 | $1.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -19.20x | -0.97x |
NL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NL five years ago would be worth $11,692 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,298 for CODI. Over the past 12 months, NL leads with a -25.5% total return vs CODI's -32.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NL at 9.3% vs CODI's -10.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NLNL Industries, In… | CODICompass Diversifi… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +10.3% | +149.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -25.5% | -32.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +30.6% | -27.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +16.9% | -37.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +220.4% | +52.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +9.3% | -10.3% |
NL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NL and CODI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NL is the less volatile stock with a 0.87 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CODI's 1.09 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | NLNL Industries, In… | CODICompass Diversifi… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.87x | 1.09x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.27 | $17.46 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.04 | $4.58 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +63.9% | +66.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.7 | 70.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 39K | 1.2M |
Evenly matched — NL and CODI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
NL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NL as "Sell" and CODI as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 29.1% upside for CODI (target: $15) vs 1.4% for NL (target: $6). For income investors, NL offers the higher dividend yield at 9.63% vs CODI's 4.30%.
| Metric | NLNL Industries, In… | CODICompass Diversifi… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Sell | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $6.00 | $15.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +9.6% | +4.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.57 | $0.50 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.0% |
NL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
NL leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallNL Industries, Inc. (NL)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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NL vs CODI: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NL or CODI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is the stronger pick with 8. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 8% for Compass Diversified (CODI). Analysts rate Compass Diversified (CODI) a "Hold" — based on 14 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 is the better long-term investment — NL or CODI?
Over the past 5 years, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) delivered a total return of +16. 9%, compared to -37. 0% for Compass Diversified (CODI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NL returned +220. 4% versus CODI's +52. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — NL or CODI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus Compass Diversified's 1. 09β — meaning CODI is approximately 25% more volatile than NL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NL Industries, Inc. (NL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 3% for Compass Diversified — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — NL or CODI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is pulling ahead at 8. 5% versus 4. 8% for Compass Diversified (CODI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NL Industries, Inc. grew EPS -155. 8% year-over-year, compared to -1426. 1% for Compass Diversified. Over a 3-year CAGR, CODI leads at 2. 2% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — NL or CODI?
Compass Diversified (CODI) is the more profitable company, earning -12.
2% net margin versus -23. 9% for NL Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps -12. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NL leads at 8. 6% versus 2. 3% for CODI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CODI leads at 38. 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.
06Is NL or CODI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) trades at 6. 8x forward P/E versus 145. 3x for Compass Diversified — 138. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CODI: 29. 1% to $15. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — NL or CODI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
NL Industries, Inc. (NL) offers the highest yield at 9. 6%, versus 4. 3% for Compass Diversified (CODI).
08Is NL or CODI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 9. 6% yield, +220. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NL: +220. 4%, CODI: +52. 1%), 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.
09What are the main differences between NL and CODI?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials 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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