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HUN vs EMN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
HUN vs EMN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $2.63B | $8.66B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $5.69B | $8.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-324M | $399M |
| Gross Margin | 12.9% | 19.8% |
| Operating Margin | -1.0% | 9.4% |
| Forward P/E | — | 12.5x |
| Total Debt | $2.73B | $5.08B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $429M | $566M |
HUN vs EMN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsman Corporation (HUN) | 100 | 81.2 | -18.8% |
| Eastman Chemical Co… (EMN) | 100 | 108.2 | +8.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HUN vs EMN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
HUN is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -5.8%, EPS growth -44.5%, 3Y rev CAGR -10.9%
- 50.8% 10Y total return vs EMN's 36.1%
- -5.8% revenue growth vs EMN's -6.7%
EMN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 12 yrs, beta 1.36, yield 4.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.36, Low D/E 84.1%, current ratio 1.37x
- Beta 1.36, yield 4.4%, current ratio 1.37x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -5.8% revenue growth vs EMN's -6.7% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 4.6% margin vs HUN's -5.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.36 vs HUN's 1.73, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 5.6% yield, vs EMN's 4.4% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +38.4% vs EMN's +3.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 2.6% ROA vs HUN's -4.6%, ROIC 6.7% vs -0.6% |
HUN vs EMN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
HUN vs EMN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EMN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EMN is the larger business by revenue, generating $8.6B annually — 1.5x HUN's $5.7B. EMN is the more profitable business, keeping 4.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HUN's -5.7%. On growth, HUN holds the edge at +0.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $5.7B | $8.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $160M | $1.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$324M | $399M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $135M | $498M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +12.9% | +19.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -1.0% | +9.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -5.7% | +4.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.4% | +5.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +0.7% | -4.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.3% | -40.8% |
Valuation Metrics
HUN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, EMN's 9.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HUN's 19.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.6B | $8.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.9B | $13.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -9.50x | 18.47x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 12.50x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 5.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 19.89x | 9.12x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.46x | 0.99x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.88x | 1.45x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 22.65x | 20.43x |
Profitability & Efficiency
EMN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EMN delivers a 6.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $-8 for HUN. EMN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.84x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HUN's 0.92x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), EMN scores 5/9 vs HUN's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -8.1% | +6.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.6% | +2.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.6% | +6.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.7% | +7.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.92x | 0.84x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.3B | $4.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $429M | $566M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.7B | $5.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.08x | 2.22x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — HUN and EMN each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in EMN five years ago would be worth $7,381 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,210 for HUN. Over the past 12 months, HUN leads with a +38.4% total return vs EMN's +3.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EMN at 1.9% vs HUN's -12.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +49.0% | +19.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +38.4% | +3.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -31.9% | +6.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -37.9% | -26.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +50.8% | +36.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -12.0% | +1.9% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HUN and EMN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EMN is the less volatile stock with a 1.36 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HUN's 1.73 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HUN currently trades 95.0% from its 52-week high vs EMN's 90.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.73x | 1.36x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.89 | $84.18 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.30 | $56.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.0% | +90.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.6 | 62.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 6.2M | 1.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — HUN and EMN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HUN as "Hold" and EMN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 2.0% upside for EMN (target: $77) vs -20.5% for HUN (target: $12). For income investors, HUN offers the higher dividend yield at 5.60% vs EMN's 4.35%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.00 | $77.29 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 35 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +5.6% | +4.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.85 | $3.30 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +1.2% |
EMN leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). HUN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
HUN vs EMN: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HUN or EMN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Huntsman Corporation (HUN) is the stronger pick with -5.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 7% for Eastman Chemical Company (EMN). Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) offers the better valuation at 18. 5x trailing P/E (12. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) a "Buy" — based on 35 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 — HUN or EMN?
Over the past 5 years, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) delivered a total return of -26.
2%, compared to -37. 9% for Huntsman Corporation (HUN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HUN returned +50. 8% versus EMN's +35. 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 — HUN or EMN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
36β versus Huntsman Corporation's 1. 73β — meaning HUN is approximately 28% more volatile than EMN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 84% versus 92% for Huntsman Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — HUN or EMN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Huntsman Corporation (HUN) is pulling ahead at -5.
8% versus -6. 7% for Eastman Chemical Company (EMN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Huntsman Corporation grew EPS -44. 5% year-over-year, compared to -46. 5% for Eastman Chemical Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, EMN leads at -6. 0% 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 — HUN or EMN?
Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) is the more profitable company, earning 5.
4% net margin versus -4. 8% for Huntsman Corporation — meaning it keeps 5. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EMN leads at 10. 6% versus -0. 7% for HUN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EMN leads at 21. 1%, 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 HUN or EMN more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EMN: 2.
0% to $77. 29.
07Which pays a better dividend — HUN or EMN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Huntsman Corporation (HUN) offers the highest yield at 5. 6%, versus 4. 4% for Eastman Chemical Company (EMN).
08Is HUN or EMN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (4.
4% yield). Huntsman Corporation (HUN) carries a higher beta of 1. 73 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EMN: +35. 4%, HUN: +50. 8%), 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 HUN and EMN?
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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