KAI
Kadant Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$4.02B
5Y Perf.+251.7%
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Stock Comparison
KAI vs GTLS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
GTLS
Chart Industries, Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$9.93B
5Y Perf.+428.4%
KAI vs GTLS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KAI | GTLS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $4.02B | $9.93B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.05B | $4.26B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $102M | $40M |
| Gross Margin | 45.2% | 32.6% |
| Operating Margin | 14.9% | 8.5% |
| Forward P/E | 37.1x | 16.4x |
| Total Debt | $375M | $3.74B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $123M | $366M |
KAI vs GTLS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KAI
GTLS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadant Inc. (KAI) | 100 | 351.7 | +251.7% |
| Chart Industries, I… (GTLS) | 100 | 528.4 | +428.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KAI vs GTLS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: GTLS leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Kadant Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KAI
Kadant Inc.
The Income Pick
KAI is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 13 yrs, beta 1.57, yield 0.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.57, Low D/E 37.8%, current ratio 9.15x
- Beta 1.57, yield 0.4%, current ratio 9.15x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
GTLS
Chart Industries, Inc.
The Growth Play
GTLS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 2.5%, EPS growth -92.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 38.3%
- 7.7% 10Y total return vs KAI's 6.4%
- 2.5% revenue growth vs KAI's -0.1%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | GTLS | 2.5% revenue growth vs KAI's -0.1% |
| Value | GTLS | Lower P/E (16.4x vs 37.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | KAI | 9.7% margin vs GTLS's 0.9% |
| Stability / Safety | GTLS | Beta 0.56 vs KAI's 1.57 |
| Dividends | KAI | 0.4% yield, 13-year raise streak, vs GTLS's 0.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | GTLS | +37.6% vs KAI's +17.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KAI | 6.6% ROA vs GTLS's 0.4%, ROIC 10.1% vs 7.4% |
KAI vs GTLS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
KAI vs GTLS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKAILAGGINGGTLS
GTLSChart Industries, Inc.
2leads
KAIKadant Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs GTLSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KAI6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
GTLS4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KAI9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KAI4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
GTLS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
KAI2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KAI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GTLS is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.3B annually — 4.1x KAI's $1.1B. KAI is the more profitable business, keeping 9.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GTLS's 0.9%. On growth, KAI holds the edge at +10.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KAIKadant Inc. | GTLSChart Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $4.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $209M | $644M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $102M | $40M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $154M | $203M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +45.2% | +32.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.9% | +8.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.7% | +0.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.7% | +4.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.9% | -2.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | 0.0% | -36.1% |
KAI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
GTLS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 39.4x trailing earnings, KAI trades at a 94% valuation discount to GTLS's 628.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, GTLS's 14.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KAI's 20.5x.
| Metric | KAIKadant Inc. | GTLSChart Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.0B | $9.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.3B | $13.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 39.37x | 628.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 37.06x | 16.40x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.11x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 20.50x | 14.33x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.82x | 2.33x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.05x | 2.79x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 26.07x | 48.95x |
GTLS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KAI leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KAI delivers a 10.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $1 for GTLS. KAI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.38x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GTLS's 1.11x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KAI scores 6/9 vs GTLS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | KAIKadant Inc. | GTLSChart Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.8% | +1.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.6% | +0.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.1% | +7.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.9% | +8.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.38x | 1.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $252M | $3.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $123M | $366M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $375M | $3.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 11.10x | 1.08x |
KAI leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KAI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KAI five years ago would be worth $18,675 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,951 for GTLS. Over the past 12 months, GTLS leads with a +37.6% total return vs KAI's +17.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KAI at 20.8% vs GTLS's 17.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KAIKadant Inc. | GTLSChart Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +19.2% | +0.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +17.7% | +37.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +76.1% | +62.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +86.8% | +29.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +635.6% | +772.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +20.8% | +17.6% |
KAI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GTLS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GTLS is the less volatile stock with a 0.56 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KAI's 1.57 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GTLS currently trades 99.5% from its 52-week high vs KAI's 92.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KAIKadant Inc. | GTLSChart Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.57x | 0.56x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $369.97 | $208.51 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $244.87 | $140.50 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.1% | +99.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.0 | 51.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 165K | 1.6M |
GTLS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
KAI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KAI as "Hold" and GTLS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -6.5% upside for GTLS (target: $194) vs -11.0% for KAI (target: $303). For income investors, KAI offers the higher dividend yield at 0.39% vs GTLS's 0.29%.
| Metric | KAIKadant Inc. | GTLSChart Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $303.00 | $193.81 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.4% | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 13 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.34 | $0.60 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
KAI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
KAI leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). GTLS leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallKadant Inc. (KAI)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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KAI vs GTLS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KAI or GTLS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) is the stronger pick with 2. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 1% for Kadant Inc. (KAI). Kadant Inc. (KAI) offers the better valuation at 39. 4x trailing P/E (37. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS) a "Buy" — based on 37 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 — KAI or GTLS?
On trailing P/E, Kadant Inc.
(KAI) is the cheapest at 39. 4x versus Chart Industries, Inc. at 628. 5x. On forward P/E, Chart Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KAI or GTLS?
Over the past 5 years, Kadant Inc.
(KAI) delivered a total return of +86. 8%, compared to +29. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GTLS returned +772. 5% versus KAI's +635. 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 — KAI or GTLS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus Kadant Inc. 's 1. 57β — meaning KAI is approximately 182% more volatile than GTLS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kadant Inc. (KAI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 38% versus 111% for Chart Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KAI or GTLS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) is pulling ahead at 2. 5% versus -0. 1% for Kadant Inc. (KAI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kadant Inc. grew EPS -8. 8% year-over-year, compared to -92. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GTLS leads at 38. 3% 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 — KAI or GTLS?
Kadant Inc.
(KAI) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 7% net margin versus 1. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GTLS leads at 15. 2% versus 14. 9% for KAI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KAI leads at 45. 2%, 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 KAI or GTLS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) trades at 16. 4x forward P/E versus 37. 1x for Kadant Inc. — 20. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GTLS: -6. 5% to $193. 81.
08Which pays a better dividend — KAI or GTLS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Kadant Inc. (KAI) offers the highest yield at 0. 4%, versus 0. 3% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS).
09Is KAI or GTLS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 56), +772. 5% 10Y return). Kadant Inc. (KAI) carries a higher beta of 1. 57 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (GTLS: +772. 5%, KAI: +635. 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 KAI and GTLS?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials 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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