IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$19.99B
5Y Perf.-41.2%
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Stock Comparison
IFF vs BCPC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
BCPC
Balchem Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$5.11B
5Y Perf.+58.5%
IFF vs BCPC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | IFF | BCPC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $19.99B | $5.11B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $10.79B | $1.06B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $839M | $158M |
| Gross Margin | 35.1% | 36.3% |
| Operating Margin | 8.0% | 21.0% |
| Forward P/E | 17.8x | 30.9x |
| Total Debt | $6.65B | $192M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $590M | $75M |
IFF vs BCPC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
IFF
BCPC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 58.8 | -41.2% |
| Balchem Corporation (BCPC) | 100 | 158.5 | +58.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IFF vs BCPC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: BCPC leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
The Value Play
IFF is the clearest fit if your priority is value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (17.8x vs 30.9x)
- 2.0% yield, vs BCPC's 0.5%
- +8.5% vs BCPC's -2.2%
Best for: value and dividends
BCPC
Balchem Corporation
The Income Pick
BCPC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta 0.33, yield 0.5%
- Rev growth 8.8%, EPS growth 20.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.2%
- 160.5% 10Y total return vs IFF's -12.6%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | BCPC | 8.8% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | IFF | Lower P/E (17.8x vs 30.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | BCPC | 15.0% margin vs IFF's 7.8% |
| Stability / Safety | BCPC | Beta 0.33 vs IFF's 0.68, lower leverage |
| Dividends | IFF | 2.0% yield, vs BCPC's 0.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | IFF | +8.5% vs BCPC's -2.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BCPC | 9.4% ROA vs IFF's 3.3%, ROIC 12.2% vs 3.5% |
IFF vs BCPC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
IFF vs BCPC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLBCPCLAGGINGIFF
IFFInternational Flavors…
1leads
BCPCBalchem Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IFFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
BCPC5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IFF5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BCPC9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
BCPC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BCPC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IFF is the larger business by revenue, generating $10.8B annually — 10.2x BCPC's $1.1B. BCPC is the more profitable business, keeping 15.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to IFF's 7.8%. On growth, BCPC holds the edge at +8.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | BCPCBalchem Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $10.8B | $1.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.7B | $267M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $839M | $158M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $400M | $182M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.1% | +36.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.0% | +21.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +15.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.7% | +17.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.6% | +8.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +116.6% | +10.6% |
BCPC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, IFF's 13.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than BCPC's 19.8x.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | BCPCBalchem Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $20.0B | $5.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $26.1B | $5.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -53.60x | 33.58x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.84x | 30.87x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.62x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.28x | 19.83x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.84x | 4.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.41x | 4.14x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 78.09x | 29.51x |
IFF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BCPC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BCPC delivers a 12.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $6 for IFF. BCPC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.15x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to IFF's 0.47x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BCPC scores 9/9 vs IFF's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | BCPCBalchem Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.9% | +12.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.3% | +9.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +12.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +14.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.47x | 0.15x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6.1B | $117M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $590M | $75M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6.7B | $192M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.26x | 15.23x |
BCPC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BCPC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BCPC five years ago would be worth $12,424 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,190 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, IFF leads with a +8.5% total return vs BCPC's -2.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BCPC at 8.2% vs IFF's -4.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | BCPCBalchem Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.6% | +3.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.5% | -2.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -13.2% | +26.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -38.1% | +24.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -12.6% | +160.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.6% | +8.2% |
BCPC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — IFF and BCPC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BCPC is the less volatile stock with a 0.33 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than IFF's 0.68 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IFF currently trades 93.0% from its 52-week high vs BCPC's 86.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | BCPCBalchem Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.68x | 0.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $84.19 | $183.90 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $59.14 | $139.17 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.0% | +86.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 72.5 | 32.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 190K |
Evenly matched — IFF and BCPC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — IFF and BCPC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IFF as "Buy" and BCPC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 12.1% upside for IFF (target: $88) vs 1.6% for BCPC (target: $162). For income investors, IFF offers the higher dividend yield at 2.04% vs BCPC's 0.54%.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | BCPCBalchem Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $87.75 | $162.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.0% | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.60 | $0.87 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +2.1% |
Evenly matched — IFF and BCPC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
BCPC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). IFF leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallBalchem Corporation (BCPC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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IFF vs BCPC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IFF or BCPC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Balchem Corporation (BCPC) is the stronger pick with 8.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Balchem Corporation (BCPC) offers the better valuation at 33. 6x trailing P/E (30. 9x 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 BCPC?
On forward P/E, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
is actually cheaper at 17. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — IFF or BCPC?
Over the past 5 years, Balchem Corporation (BCPC) delivered a total return of +24.
2%, compared to -38. 1% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BCPC returned +160. 5% versus IFF's -12. 6%. 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 BCPC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Balchem Corporation (BCPC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
33β versus International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. 's 0. 68β — meaning IFF is approximately 105% more volatile than BCPC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Balchem Corporation (BCPC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 15% versus 47% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — IFF or BCPC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Balchem Corporation (BCPC) is pulling ahead at 8.
8% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Balchem Corporation grew EPS 20. 9% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, BCPC leads at 3. 2% 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 BCPC?
Balchem Corporation (BCPC) is the more profitable company, earning 14.
9% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BCPC leads at 21. 1% versus 9. 2% for IFF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BCPC leads at 35. 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 IFF or BCPC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) trades at 17. 8x forward P/E versus 30. 9x for Balchem Corporation — 13. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IFF: 12. 1% to $87. 75.
08Which pays a better dividend — IFF or BCPC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 5% for Balchem Corporation (BCPC).
09Is IFF or BCPC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Balchem Corporation (BCPC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
33), 0. 5% yield, +160. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BCPC: +160. 5%, IFF: -12. 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.
10What are the main differences between IFF and BCPC?
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>
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(IFF: -3.6% · BCPC: 8.1%)Net Margin>
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