KOP
Koppers Holdings Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$807M
5Y Perf.+148.4%
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Stock Comparison
KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
TROX
Tronox Holdings plc
Chemicals
Market Cap$1.34B
5Y Perf.+26.7%
IOSP
Innospec Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$1.91B
5Y Perf.-0.6%
AVNT
Avient Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$3.35B
5Y Perf.+47.3%
KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KOP | TROX | IOSP | AVNT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $807M | $1.34B | $1.91B | $3.35B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.88B | $2.92B | $1.78B | $3.28B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $56M | $-359M | $117M | $158M |
| Gross Margin | 17.9% | 5.8% | 27.7% | 31.7% |
| Operating Margin | 8.9% | -4.8% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Forward P/E | 9.8x | — | 15.5x | 12.0x |
| Total Debt | $1.02B | $3.59B | $90M | $1.92B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $38M | $211M | $293M | $511M |
KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KOP
TROX
IOSP
AVNT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koppers Holdings In… (KOP) | 100 | 248.4 | +148.4% |
| Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) | 100 | 126.7 | +26.7% |
| Innospec Inc. (IOSP) | 100 | 99.4 | -0.6% |
| Avient Corporation (AVNT) | 100 | 147.3 | +47.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: IOSP leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Tronox Holdings plc is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns and recent price momentum and sentiment. KOP and AVNT also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KOP
Koppers Holdings Inc.
The Value Play
KOP is the clearest fit if your priority is value.
- Lower P/E (9.8x vs 12.0x)
Best for: value
TROX
Tronox Holdings plc
The Income Pick
TROX is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if dividends and momentum is your priority.
- 3.6% yield, vs AVNT's 2.9%
- +76.9% vs IOSP's -14.9%
Best for: dividends and momentum
IOSP
Innospec Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
IOSP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 84.4% 10Y total return vs KOP's 70.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.70, Low D/E 6.7%, current ratio 2.79x
- Beta 0.70, yield 2.2%, current ratio 2.79x
- 6.6% margin vs TROX's -12.3%
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
AVNT
Avient Corporation
The Income Pick
AVNT is the clearest fit if your priority is 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%
- 0.6% revenue growth vs KOP's -10.2%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AVNT | 0.6% revenue growth vs KOP's -10.2% |
| Value | KOP | Lower P/E (9.8x vs 12.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | IOSP | 6.6% margin vs TROX's -12.3% |
| Stability / Safety | IOSP | Beta 0.70 vs TROX's 2.37, lower leverage |
| Dividends | TROX | 3.6% yield, vs AVNT's 2.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | TROX | +76.9% vs IOSP's -14.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | IOSP | 6.5% ROA vs TROX's -7.7%, ROIC 11.2% vs -0.3% |
KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKOPLAGGINGTROX
Who Leads Where
AVNT leads in 1 of 6 categories
KOP leads 1 • IOSP leads 1 • TROX leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓TROXTronox Holdings plc
0leads
AVNTAvient Corporation
1leads
IOSPInnospec Inc.
1leads
KOPKoppers Holdings Inc.
1leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IOSPvs AVNTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
AVNT3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
KOP4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
IOSP7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AVNT leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AVNT is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.3B annually — 1.8x IOSP's $1.8B. IOSP is the more profitable business, keeping 6.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to TROX's -12.3%. On growth, TROX holds the edge at +3.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KOPKoppers Holdings … | TROXTronox Holdings p… | IOSPInnospec Inc. | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.9B | $2.9B | $1.8B | $3.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $232M | $166M | $198M | $445M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $56M | -$359M | $117M | $158M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $68M | -$139M | $88M | $205M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +17.9% | +5.8% | +27.7% | +31.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.9% | -4.8% | +8.7% | +9.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | -12.3% | +6.6% | +4.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.6% | -4.8% | +4.9% | +6.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.3% | +3.0% | -2.4% | +2.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.9% | +7.1% | +167.7% | +3.8% |
AVNT leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
KOP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 15.0x trailing earnings, KOP trades at a 63% valuation discount to AVNT's 41.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, KOP's 7.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than TROX's 16.8x.
| Metric | KOPKoppers Holdings … | TROXTronox Holdings p… | IOSPInnospec Inc. | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $807M | $1.3B | $1.9B | $3.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.8B | $4.7B | $1.7B | $4.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.02x | -2.83x | 16.41x | 41.01x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.81x | — | 15.45x | 11.95x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 0.51x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.42x | 16.80x | 8.29x | 12.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.43x | 0.46x | 1.07x | 1.03x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.46x | 0.92x | 1.44x | 1.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.96x | — | 21.68x | 17.16x |
KOP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IOSP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KOP delivers a 9.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $-30 for TROX. IOSP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TROX's 2.48x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KOP scores 6/9 vs TROX's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | KOPKoppers Holdings … | TROXTronox Holdings p… | IOSPInnospec Inc. | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.8% | -30.4% | +9.0% | +6.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.0% | -7.7% | +6.5% | +2.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.3% | -0.3% | +11.2% | +3.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.4% | -0.4% | +11.0% | +4.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.78x | 2.48x | 0.07x | 0.81x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $985M | $3.4B | -$203M | $1.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $38M | $211M | $293M | $511M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.0B | $3.6B | $90M | $1.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.36x | -1.16x | — | 3.61x |
IOSP leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — KOP and TROX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KOP five years ago would be worth $11,065 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,493 for TROX. Over the past 12 months, TROX leads with a +76.9% total return vs IOSP's -14.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KOP at 9.1% vs TROX's -8.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KOPKoppers Holdings … | TROXTronox Holdings p… | IOSPInnospec Inc. | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +54.7% | +98.1% | +0.5% | +16.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +65.7% | +76.9% | -14.9% | +4.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +29.8% | -23.6% | -17.3% | +2.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +10.6% | -55.1% | -18.3% | -22.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +70.5% | +116.1% | +84.4% | +27.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +9.1% | -8.6% | -6.1% | +0.8% |
Evenly matched — KOP and TROX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — KOP and IOSP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IOSP is the less volatile stock with a 0.70 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TROX's 2.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. KOP currently trades 97.1% from its 52-week high vs TROX's 79.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KOPKoppers Holdings … | TROXTronox Holdings p… | IOSPInnospec Inc. | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.12x | 2.37x | 0.70x | 1.19x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $42.41 | $10.59 | $95.55 | $44.85 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $24.78 | $2.86 | $65.58 | $27.48 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.1% | +79.4% | +80.2% | +81.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 61.0 | 58.5 | 59.1 | 55.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 213K | 3.1M | 221K | 620K |
Evenly matched — KOP and IOSP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — TROX and AVNT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: KOP as "Buy", TROX as "Buy", IOSP as "Hold", AVNT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 50.1% upside for IOSP (target: $115) vs -13.8% for TROX (target: $7). For income investors, TROX offers the higher dividend yield at 3.60% vs KOP's 0.76%.
| Metric | KOPKoppers Holdings … | TROXTronox Holdings p… | IOSPInnospec Inc. | AVNTAvient Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $55.00 | $7.25 | $115.00 | $48.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 17 | 9 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | +3.6% | +2.2% | +2.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 0 | 12 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.31 | $0.30 | $1.70 | $1.08 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +0.1% |
Evenly matched — TROX and AVNT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
AVNT leads in 1 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow). KOP leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
Best OverallKoppers Holdings Inc. (KOP)Leads 1 of 6 categories
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KOP vs TROX vs IOSP vs AVNT: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KOP or TROX or IOSP 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 -10. 2% for Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP). Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP) offers the better valuation at 15. 0x trailing P/E (9. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP) a "Buy" — based on 14 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 — KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT?
On trailing P/E, Koppers Holdings Inc.
(KOP) is the cheapest at 15. 0x versus Avient Corporation at 41. 0x. On forward P/E, Koppers Holdings Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT?
Over the past 5 years, Koppers Holdings Inc.
(KOP) delivered a total return of +10. 6%, compared to -55. 1% for Tronox Holdings plc (TROX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TROX returned +116. 1% versus AVNT's +27. 8%. 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 — KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Innospec Inc.
(IOSP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 70β versus Tronox Holdings plc's 2. 37β — meaning TROX is approximately 239% more volatile than IOSP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Innospec Inc. (IOSP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 2% for Tronox Holdings plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Avient Corporation (AVNT) is pulling ahead at 0.
6% versus -10. 2% for Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Innospec Inc. grew EPS 228. 9% year-over-year, compared to -890. 0% for Tronox Holdings plc. 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 — KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT?
Innospec Inc.
(IOSP) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 6% net margin versus -16. 2% for Tronox Holdings plc — meaning it keeps 6. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KOP leads at 8. 9% versus -0. 7% for TROX. 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 KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Koppers Holdings Inc.
(KOP) trades at 9. 8x forward P/E versus 15. 5x for Innospec Inc. — 5. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IOSP: 50. 1% to $115. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 0. 8% for Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP).
09Is KOP or TROX or IOSP or AVNT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Innospec Inc.
(IOSP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 70), 2. 2% yield). Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) carries a higher beta of 2. 37 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (IOSP: +84. 4%, TROX: +116. 1%), 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 KOP and TROX and IOSP 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.
In terms of investment character: KOP is a small-cap deep-value stock; TROX is a small-cap income-oriented stock; IOSP is a small-cap deep-value stock; AVNT is a small-cap quality compounder stock. 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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