FUL
H.B. Fuller Company
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$3.30B
5Y Perf.+62.0%
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Stock Comparison
FUL vs IFF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$21.18B
5Y Perf.-37.7%
FUL vs IFF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | FUL | IFF |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $3.30B | $21.18B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.47B | $10.79B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $152M | $839M |
| Gross Margin | 31.5% | 35.1% |
| Operating Margin | 10.9% | 8.0% |
| Forward P/E | 12.9x | 18.9x |
| Total Debt | $2.02B | $6.65B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $107M | $590M |
FUL vs IFF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
FUL
IFF
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.B. Fuller Company (FUL) | 100 | 162.0 | +62.0% |
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 62.3 | -37.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FUL vs IFF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FUL leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
FUL
H.B. Fuller Company
The Growth Play
FUL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -2.7%, EPS growth 19.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -2.5%
- 53.2% 10Y total return vs IFF's -7.7%
- -2.7% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
The Income Pick
IFF is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.68, yield 1.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.68, Low D/E 46.9%, current ratio 1.42x
- Beta 0.68, yield 1.9%, current ratio 1.42x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | FUL | -2.7% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | FUL | Lower P/E (12.9x vs 18.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | IFF | 7.8% margin vs FUL's 4.4% |
| Stability / Safety | IFF | Beta 0.68 vs FUL's 1.20, lower leverage |
| Dividends | FUL | 1.5% yield, 23-year raise streak, vs IFF's 1.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | FUL | +16.4% vs IFF's +6.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | IFF | 3.3% ROA vs FUL's 2.9%, ROIC 3.5% vs 7.8% |
FUL vs IFF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FUL vs IFF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLFULLAGGINGIFF
IFFInternational Flavors…
1leads
FULH.B. Fuller Company
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IFFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FUL4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FUL6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
FUL5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
IFF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — FUL and IFF each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IFF is the larger business by revenue, generating $10.8B annually — 3.1x FUL's $3.5B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.8% (IFF) to 4.4% (FUL).
| Metric | FULH.B. Fuller Compa… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.5B | $10.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $472M | $1.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $152M | $839M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $121M | $400M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.5% | +35.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.9% | +8.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.4% | +7.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.5% | +3.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.1% | -3.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +122.2% | +116.6% |
Evenly matched — FUL and IFF each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FUL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, FUL's 9.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than IFF's 13.9x.
| Metric | FULH.B. Fuller Compa… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $21.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.2B | $27.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 22.16x | -56.80x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.93x | 18.90x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 7.14x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.03x | 13.89x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.95x | 1.95x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.68x | 1.50x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.24x | 82.75x |
FUL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FUL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FUL delivers a 7.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 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 FUL's 1.01x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FUL scores 7/9 vs IFF's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | FULH.B. Fuller Compa… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.6% | +5.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.9% | +3.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.8% | +3.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.2% | +4.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.01x | 0.47x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.9B | $6.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $107M | $590M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.0B | $6.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.62x | 5.26x |
FUL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FUL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FUL five years ago would be worth $9,434 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,506 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, FUL leads with a +16.4% total return vs IFF's +6.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FUL at -1.3% vs IFF's -2.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | FULH.B. Fuller Compa… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.8% | +22.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +16.4% | +6.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -3.9% | -8.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -5.7% | -34.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +53.2% | -7.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -1.3% | -2.9% |
FUL leads this category, winning 5 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 FUL's 1.20 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IFF currently trades 98.5% from its 52-week high vs FUL's 88.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | FULH.B. Fuller Compa… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.20x | 0.68x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $68.63 | $84.19 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $48.71 | $59.14 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.8% | +98.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.4 | 47.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 570K | 1.6M |
IFF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — FUL and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates FUL as "Buy" and IFF as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 20.3% upside for FUL (target: $73) vs 5.8% for IFF (target: $88). For income investors, IFF offers the higher dividend yield at 1.93% vs FUL's 1.49%.
| Metric | FULH.B. Fuller Compa… | IFFInternational Fla… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $73.33 | $87.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.5% | +1.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 23 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.91 | $1.60 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.8% | +0.2% |
Evenly matched — FUL and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
FUL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). IFF leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
Best OverallH.B. Fuller Company (FUL)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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FUL vs IFF: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FUL or IFF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, H.
B. Fuller Company (FUL) is the stronger pick with -2. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). H. B. Fuller Company (FUL) offers the better valuation at 22. 2x trailing P/E (12. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate H. B. Fuller Company (FUL) a "Buy" — based on 15 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 — FUL or IFF?
On forward P/E, H.
B. Fuller Company is actually cheaper at 12. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — FUL or IFF?
Over the past 5 years, H.
B. Fuller Company (FUL) delivered a total return of -5. 7%, compared to -34. 9% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FUL returned +53. 2% versus IFF's -7. 7%. 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 — FUL or IFF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 68β versus H. B. Fuller Company's 1. 20β — meaning FUL is approximately 78% 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 101% for H. B. Fuller Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — FUL or IFF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), H.
B. Fuller Company (FUL) is pulling ahead at -2. 7% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: H. B. Fuller Company grew EPS 19. 6% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FUL leads at -2. 5% 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 — FUL or IFF?
H.
B. Fuller Company (FUL) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 4% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FUL leads at 11. 5% versus 9. 2% for IFF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FUL leads at 31. 7%, 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 FUL or IFF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, H.
B. Fuller Company (FUL) trades at 12. 9x forward P/E versus 18. 9x for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — 6. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FUL: 20. 3% to $73. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — FUL or IFF?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) offers the highest yield at 1. 9%, versus 1. 5% for H. B. Fuller Company (FUL).
09Is FUL or IFF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 68), 1. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IFF: -7. 7%, FUL: +53. 2%), 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 FUL and IFF?
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>
%
(FUL: -3.1% · IFF: -3.6%)Net Margin>
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