IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$18.08B
5Y Perf.-37.7%
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Stock Comparison
IFF vs AVNT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AVNT
Avient Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$3.41B
5Y Perf.+52.7%
IFF vs AVNT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | IFF | AVNT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $18.08B | $3.41B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $10.79B | $3.26B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $839M | $82M |
| Gross Margin | 35.1% | 31.7% |
| Operating Margin | 8.0% | 6.4% |
| Forward P/E | 16.1x | 12.2x |
| Total Debt | $6.65B | $1.92B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $590M | $511M |
IFF vs AVNT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
IFF
AVNT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 62.3 | -37.7% |
| Avient Corporation (AVNT) | 100 | 152.7 | +52.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IFF vs AVNT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AVNT 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.
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
The Defensive Pick
IFF is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.68, Low D/E 46.9%, current ratio 1.42x
- 7.8% margin vs AVNT's 2.5%
- Beta 0.68 vs AVNT's 1.19, lower leverage
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
AVNT
Avient Corporation
The Income Pick
AVNT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 14 yrs, beta 1.19, yield 2.9%
- Rev growth 0.6%, EPS growth -51.6%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.4%
- 28.8% 10Y total return vs IFF's -18.0%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AVNT | 0.6% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | AVNT | Lower P/E (12.2x vs 16.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | IFF | 7.8% margin vs AVNT's 2.5% |
| Stability / Safety | IFF | Beta 0.68 vs AVNT's 1.19, lower leverage |
| Dividends | AVNT | 2.9% yield, 14-year raise streak, vs IFF's 2.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | AVNT | +12.5% vs IFF's -8.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | IFF | 3.3% ROA vs AVNT's 1.4%, ROIC 3.5% vs 3.9% |
IFF vs AVNT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
IFF vs AVNT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLIFFLAGGINGAVNT
AVNTAvient Corporation
2leads
IFFInternational Flavors…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs AVNTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
IFF4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
IFF5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
AVNT6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
IFF2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
AVNT2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IFF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IFF is the larger business by revenue, generating $10.8B annually — 3.3x AVNT's $3.3B. IFF is the more profitable business, keeping 7.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AVNT's 2.5%. On growth, AVNT holds the edge at +1.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $10.8B | $3.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.6B | $395M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $839M | $82M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $400M | $195M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.1% | +31.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.0% | +6.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +2.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.7% | +6.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.6% | +1.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +116.6% | -65.4% |
IFF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — IFF and AVNT each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, IFF's 12.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AVNT's 12.4x.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $18.1B | $3.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $24.1B | $4.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -48.47x | 41.74x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.13x | 12.17x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.30x | 12.38x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.66x | 1.04x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.28x | 1.43x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 70.61x | 17.47x |
Evenly matched — IFF and AVNT each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IFF delivers a 5.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $6 in annual profit, vs $3 for AVNT. IFF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AVNT's 0.81x.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.9% | +3.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.3% | +1.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +3.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +4.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.47x | 0.81x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6.1B | $1.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $590M | $511M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6.7B | $1.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.81x | 2.10x |
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AVNT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AVNT five years ago would be worth $7,929 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,748 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, AVNT leads with a +12.5% total return vs IFF's -8.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AVNT at 1.5% vs IFF's -7.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +4.6% | +18.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -8.6% | +12.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -20.4% | +4.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -42.5% | -20.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -18.0% | +28.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -7.3% | +1.5% |
AVNT leads this category, winning 6 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 AVNT's 1.19 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.68x | 1.19x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $84.19 | $44.85 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $59.14 | $27.48 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.1% | +82.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.6 | 41.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.5M | 620K |
IFF leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
AVNT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IFF as "Buy" and AVNT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 30.3% upside for AVNT (target: $48) vs 24.0% for IFF (target: $88). For income investors, AVNT offers the higher dividend yield at 2.90% vs IFF's 2.26%.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $87.75 | $48.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.3% | +2.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.60 | $1.08 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +0.1% |
AVNT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
IFF leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). AVNT leads in 2 (Total Returns, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallInternational Flavors & Fra… (IFF)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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IFF vs AVNT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IFF or AVNT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Avient Corporation (AVNT) is the stronger pick with 0.
6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Avient Corporation (AVNT) offers the better valuation at 41. 7x trailing P/E (12. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) a "Buy" — based on 33 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 — IFF or AVNT?
On forward P/E, Avient Corporation is actually cheaper at 12.
2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — IFF or AVNT?
Over the past 5 years, Avient Corporation (AVNT) delivered a total return of -20.
7%, compared to -42. 5% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AVNT returned +28. 8% versus IFF's -18. 0%. 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 — IFF or AVNT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 68β versus Avient Corporation's 1. 19β — meaning AVNT is approximately 76% 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 81% for Avient Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — IFF or AVNT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Avient Corporation (AVNT) is pulling ahead at 0.
6% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Avient Corporation grew EPS -51. 6% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AVNT leads at -1. 4% 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 — IFF or AVNT?
Avient Corporation (AVNT) is the more profitable company, earning 2.
5% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IFF leads at 9. 2% versus 6. 2% for AVNT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AVNT leads at 32. 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.
07Is IFF or AVNT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Avient Corporation (AVNT) trades at 12.
2x forward P/E versus 16. 1x for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — 4. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AVNT: 30. 3% to $48. 40.
08Which pays a better dividend — IFF or AVNT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Avient Corporation (AVNT) offers the highest yield at 2. 9%, versus 2. 3% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF).
09Is IFF or AVNT 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), 2. 3% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IFF: -18. 0%, AVNT: +28. 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.
10What are the main differences between IFF and AVNT?
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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(IFF: -3.6% · AVNT: 1.9%)Net Margin>
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