IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$21.18B
5Y Perf.-37.7%
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Stock Comparison
IFF vs CTVA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CTVA
Corteva, Inc.
Agricultural Inputs
Market Cap$54.89B
5Y Perf.+199.4%
IFF vs CTVA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | IFF | CTVA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Agricultural Inputs |
| Market Cap | $21.18B | $54.89B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $10.79B | $17.89B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $839M | $1.16B |
| Gross Margin | 35.1% | 33.5% |
| Operating Margin | 8.0% | 13.8% |
| Forward P/E | 18.9x | 22.3x |
| Total Debt | $6.65B | $2.58B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $590M | $4.52B |
IFF vs CTVA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
IFF
CTVA
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 62.3 | -37.7% |
| Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) | 100 | 299.4 | +199.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: IFF vs CTVA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: IFF leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Corteva, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion 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 Value Play
IFF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (18.9x vs 22.3x)
- 7.8% margin vs CTVA's 6.5%
- 1.9% yield, vs CTVA's 0.9%
Best for: value and quality
CTVA
Corteva, Inc.
The Income Pick
CTVA is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.29, yield 0.9%
- Rev growth 2.9%, EPS growth 23.1%, 3Y rev CAGR -0.1%
- 195.9% 10Y total return vs IFF's -7.7%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CTVA | 2.9% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | IFF | Lower P/E (18.9x vs 22.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | IFF | 7.8% margin vs CTVA's 6.5% |
| Stability / Safety | CTVA | Beta 0.29 vs IFF's 0.68, lower leverage |
| Dividends | IFF | 1.9% yield, vs CTVA's 0.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CTVA | +32.1% vs IFF's +6.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | IFF | 3.3% ROA vs CTVA's 2.7%, ROIC 3.5% vs 8.5% |
IFF vs CTVA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
IFF vs CTVA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCTVALAGGINGIFF
IFFInternational Flavors…
1leads
CTVACorteva, Inc.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IFFMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IFF4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CTVA7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CTVA5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — IFF and CTVA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CTVA is the larger business by revenue, generating $17.9B annually — 1.7x IFF's $10.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.8% (IFF) to 6.5% (CTVA). On growth, CTVA holds the edge at +11.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | CTVACorteva, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $10.8B | $17.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.7B | $3.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $839M | $1.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $400M | $2.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.1% | +33.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.0% | +13.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +6.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.7% | +11.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.6% | +11.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +116.6% | +12.6% |
Evenly matched — IFF and CTVA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IFF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, CTVA's 13.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than IFF's 13.9x.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | CTVACorteva, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $21.2B | $54.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $27.2B | $52.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -56.80x | 51.10x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.90x | 22.30x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.28x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.89x | 13.85x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.95x | 3.15x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.50x | 2.26x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 82.75x | 19.50x |
IFF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CTVA leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IFF delivers a 5.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $6 in annual profit, vs $5 for CTVA. CTVA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.11x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to IFF's 0.47x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CTVA scores 6/9 vs IFF's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | CTVACorteva, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.9% | +4.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.3% | +2.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +8.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +8.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.47x | 0.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6.1B | -$1.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $590M | $4.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6.7B | $2.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.26x | 5.82x |
CTVA leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CTVA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CTVA five years ago would be worth $17,540 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,506 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, CTVA leads with a +32.1% total return vs IFF's +6.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CTVA at 13.3% vs IFF's -2.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | CTVACorteva, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +22.5% | +20.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +6.7% | +32.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.4% | +45.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -34.9% | +75.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -7.7% | +195.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -2.9% | +13.3% |
CTVA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — IFF and CTVA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CTVA is the less volatile stock with a 0.29 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 98.5% from its 52-week high vs CTVA's 95.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | CTVACorteva, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.68x | 0.29x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $84.19 | $85.63 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $59.14 | $60.54 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.5% | +95.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.3 | 64.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 3.4M |
Evenly matched — IFF and CTVA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — IFF and CTVA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates IFF as "Buy" and CTVA as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 7.8% upside for CTVA (target: $88) vs 5.8% for IFF (target: $88). For income investors, IFF offers the higher dividend yield at 1.93% vs CTVA's 0.86%.
| Metric | IFFInternational Fla… | CTVACorteva, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $87.75 | $88.17 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.60 | $0.71 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +2.0% |
Evenly matched — IFF and CTVA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CTVA leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). IFF leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
Best OverallCorteva, Inc. (CTVA)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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IFF vs CTVA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is IFF or CTVA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Corteva, Inc.
(CTVA) is the stronger pick with 2. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) offers the better valuation at 51. 1x trailing P/E (22. 3x 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 CTVA?
On forward P/E, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
is actually cheaper at 18. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — IFF or CTVA?
Over the past 5 years, Corteva, Inc.
(CTVA) delivered a total return of +75. 4%, compared to -34. 9% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CTVA returned +195. 9% 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 — IFF or CTVA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Corteva, Inc.
(CTVA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 29β versus International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. 's 0. 68β — meaning IFF is approximately 131% more volatile than CTVA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 11% versus 47% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — IFF or CTVA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Corteva, Inc.
(CTVA) is pulling ahead at 2. 9% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Corteva, Inc. grew EPS 23. 1% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CTVA leads at -0. 1% 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 CTVA?
Corteva, Inc.
(CTVA) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 3% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CTVA leads at 15. 1% versus 9. 2% for IFF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CTVA leads at 43. 6%, 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 CTVA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) trades at 18. 9x forward P/E versus 22. 3x for Corteva, Inc. — 3. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CTVA: 7. 8% to $88. 17.
08Which pays a better dividend — IFF or CTVA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) offers the highest yield at 1. 9%, versus 0. 9% for Corteva, Inc. (CTVA).
09Is IFF or CTVA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Corteva, Inc.
(CTVA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 29), 0. 9% yield, +195. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CTVA: +195. 9%, IFF: -7. 7%), 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 CTVA?
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>
%
(IFF: -3.6% · CTVA: 11.0%)Net Margin>
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