BAK vs LYB

For growth investors, Braskem S.

A. (BAK) is the stronger pick with 9. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -25. 2% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB). Analysts rate Braskem S. A. (BAK) a "Buy" — based on 6 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.

Over the past 5 years, LyondellBasell Industries N.

V. (LYB) delivered a total return of -11. 3%, compared to -61. 5% for Braskem S. A. (BAK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LYB returned +48. 6% versus BAK's +1. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), LyondellBasell Industries N.

V. (LYB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 38β versus Braskem S. A. 's 1. 95β — meaning BAK is approximately 410% more volatile than LYB relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Braskem S.

A. (BAK) is pulling ahead at 9. 7% versus -25. 2% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Braskem S. A. grew EPS -147. 0% year-over-year, compared to -156. 6% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V.. Over a 3-year CAGR, BAK leads at -9. 8% 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.

LyondellBasell Industries N.

V. (LYB) is the more profitable company, earning -2. 5% net margin versus -14. 6% for Braskem S. A. — meaning it keeps -2. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BAK leads at 1. 3% versus -1. 1% for LYB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LYB leads at 9. 0%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LYB: 2.

9% to $73. 60.

In this comparison, LYB (7.

7% yield) pays a dividend. BAK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, LyondellBasell Industries N.

V. (LYB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 38), 7. 7% yield). Braskem S. A. (BAK) carries a higher beta of 1. 95 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LYB: +48. 6%, BAK: +1. 7%), 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.

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.

In terms of investment character: BAK is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LYB is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. LYB pays a dividend while BAK 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.