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FMSTW vs SQM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
FMSTW vs SQM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $6M | $13.08B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $4.33B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-3M | $524M |
| Gross Margin | — | 27.7% |
| Operating Margin | — | 21.1% |
| Forward P/E | — | 15.0x |
| Total Debt | $521K | $4.82B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5M | $1.38B |
FMSTW vs SQM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Aug 23 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foremost Lithium Re… (FMSTW) | 100 | 103.8 | +3.8% |
| Sociedad Química y … (SQM) | 100 | 146.4 | +46.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FMSTW vs SQM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
FMSTW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.66
- EPS growth 51.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.66, Low D/E 2.1%, current ratio 1.73x
SQM is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 464.6% 10Y total return vs FMSTW's 21.4%
- 12.1% margin vs FMSTW's -1.0%
- 0.3% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 85.1% revenue growth vs SQM's -39.4% | |
| Quality / Margins | 12.1% margin vs FMSTW's -1.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.66 vs SQM's 1.24, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.3% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +353.7% vs SQM's +173.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.5% ROA vs FMSTW's -9.8%, ROIC 9.0% vs -26.2% |
FMSTW vs SQM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FMSTW vs SQM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SQM leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SQM and FMSTW operate at a comparable scale, with $4.3B and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $4.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$3M | $917M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$3M | $524M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$7M | $66M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +27.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | +21.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | +12.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | +1.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +8.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.0% | +34.8% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — FMSTW and SQM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6M | $13.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2M | $16.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.15x | -64.51x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 15.04x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 15.43x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 2.89x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.32x | 5.02x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 43.19x |
Profitability & Efficiency
SQM leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SQM delivers a 9.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $-11 for FMSTW. FMSTW carries lower financial leverage with a 0.02x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SQM's 0.93x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SQM scores 4/9 vs FMSTW's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -10.6% | +9.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -9.8% | +4.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -26.2% | +9.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -30.2% | +11.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.02x | 0.93x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$4M | $3.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5M | $1.4B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $521,368 | $4.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -71.80x | 5.37x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SQM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SQM five years ago would be worth $19,418 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,143 for FMSTW. Over the past 12 months, FMSTW leads with a +353.7% total return vs SQM's +173.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SQM at 12.0% vs FMSTW's 6.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -23.4% | +31.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +353.7% | +173.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.4% | +40.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.4% | +94.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +21.4% | +464.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.7% | +12.0% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — FMSTW and SQM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FMSTW is the less volatile stock with a 0.66 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SQM's 1.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SQM currently trades 93.5% from its 52-week high vs FMSTW's 51.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.66x | 1.24x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $1.47 | $98.00 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.11 | $29.36 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +51.5% | +93.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.0 | 61.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3K | 1.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
SQM is the only dividend payer here at 0.26% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $75.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.24 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
SQM leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 2 categories are tied.
FMSTW vs SQM: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FMSTW or SQM a better buy right now?
Analysts rate Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) a "Hold" — based on 16 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 — FMSTW or SQM?
Over the past 5 years, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) delivered a total return of +94. 2%, compared to +21. 4% for Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd. (FMSTW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SQM returned +464. 6% versus FMSTW's +21. 4%. 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 — FMSTW or SQM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.
(FMSTW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 66β versus Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. 's 1. 24β — meaning SQM is approximately 88% more volatile than FMSTW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd. (FMSTW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 93% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — FMSTW or SQM?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.
grew EPS 51. 5% year-over-year, compared to -120. 1% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A.. 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 — FMSTW or SQM?
Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.
(FMSTW) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -8. 9% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SQM leads at 23. 5% versus 0. 0% for FMSTW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SQM leads at 29. 3%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — FMSTW or SQM?
In this comparison, SQM (0.
3% yield) pays a dividend. FMSTW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is FMSTW or SQM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.
(FMSTW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 66)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FMSTW: +21. 4%, SQM: +464. 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.
08What are the main differences between FMSTW and SQM?
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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