MEOH
Methanex Corporation
Chemicals
Market Cap$4.75B
5Y Perf.+281.0%
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Stock Comparison
MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
EMN
Eastman Chemical Company
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$8.43B
5Y Perf.+8.2%
LYB
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$23.04B
5Y Perf.+12.1%
OLN
Olin Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$3.05B
5Y Perf.+122.4%
MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MEOH | EMN | LYB | OLN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $4.75B | $8.43B | $23.04B | $3.05B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.59B | $8.64B | $22.48B | $6.72B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $80M | $399M | $-774M | $-127M |
| Gross Margin | 25.3% | 19.8% | -19.3% | 5.3% |
| Operating Margin | 12.9% | 9.4% | -0.9% | -1.6% |
| Forward P/E | 8.2x | 12.5x | 9.9x | — |
| Total Debt | $3.50B | $5.08B | $15.96B | $3.39B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $428M | $566M | $3.45B | $168M |
MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MEOH
EMN
LYB
OLN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methanex Corporation (MEOH) | 100 | 381.0 | +281.0% |
| Eastman Chemical Co… (EMN) | 100 | 108.2 | +8.2% |
| LyondellBasell Indu… (LYB) | 100 | 112.1 | +12.1% |
| Olin Corporation (OLN) | 100 | 222.4 | +122.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MEOH and EMN are tied at the top with 2 categories each — the right choice depends on your priorities. Eastman Chemical Company is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and operational efficiency and capital deployment. LYB and OLN also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MEOH
Methanex Corporation
The Growth Play
MEOH has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -3.5%, EPS growth -60.7%, 3Y rev CAGR -5.9%
- 135.7% 10Y total return vs LYB's 48.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.39, current ratio 2.06x
- Better valuation composite
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
EMN
Eastman Chemical Company
The Quality Compounder
EMN is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if quality and efficiency is your priority.
- 4.6% margin vs LYB's -3.4%
- 2.6% ROA vs LYB's -3.0%, ROIC 6.7% vs -1.1%
Best for: quality and efficiency
LYB
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
The Income Pick
LYB is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.38, yield 7.7%
- Beta 0.38, yield 7.7%, current ratio 1.77x
- Beta 0.38 vs OLN's 1.47, lower leverage
- 7.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs EMN's 4.5%
Best for: income & stability and defensive
OLN
Olin Corporation
The Growth Leader
OLN is the clearest fit if your priority is growth.
- 3.7% revenue growth vs LYB's -25.2%
Best for: growth
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | OLN | 3.7% revenue growth vs LYB's -25.2% |
| Value | MEOH | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | EMN | 4.6% margin vs LYB's -3.4% |
| Stability / Safety | LYB | Beta 0.38 vs OLN's 1.47, lower leverage |
| Dividends | LYB | 7.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs EMN's 4.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MEOH | +91.9% vs EMN's +2.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | EMN | 2.6% ROA vs LYB's -3.0%, ROIC 6.7% vs -1.1% |
MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMEOHLAGGINGOLN
Who Leads Where
MEOH leads in 3 of 6 categories
EMN leads 1 • LYB leads 0 • OLN leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓OLNOlin Corporation
0leads
LYBLyondellBasell Indust…
0leads
EMNEastman Chemical Comp…
1leads
MEOHMethanex Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs EMNvs LYBMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MEOH4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MEOH3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
EMN7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MEOH5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MEOH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LYB is the larger business by revenue, generating $22.5B annually — 6.3x MEOH's $3.6B. EMN is the more profitable business, keeping 4.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to LYB's -3.4%. On growth, MEOH holds the edge at +2.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MEOHMethanex Corporat… | EMNEastman Chemical … | LYBLyondellBasell In… | OLNOlin Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.6B | $8.6B | $22.5B | $6.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $909M | $1.2B | $865M | $284M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $80M | $399M | -$774M | -$127M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $748M | $498M | $3.1B | $352M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +25.3% | +19.8% | -19.3% | +5.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.9% | +9.4% | -0.9% | -1.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.2% | +4.6% | -3.4% | -1.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +20.8% | +5.8% | +13.6% | +5.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.1% | -4.9% | -100.0% | -3.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.5% | -40.8% | -100.0% | -61.8% |
MEOH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MEOH leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 18.0x trailing earnings, EMN trades at a 72% valuation discount to MEOH's 65.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MEOH's 8.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than LYB's 33.4x.
| Metric | MEOHMethanex Corporat… | EMNEastman Chemical … | LYBLyondellBasell In… | OLNOlin Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.7B | $8.4B | $23.0B | $3.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.8B | $12.9B | $35.5B | $6.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 65.30x | 17.97x | -30.43x | -72.32x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.21x | 12.50x | 9.92x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 5.59x | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.60x | 8.96x | 33.44x | 9.88x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.32x | 0.96x | 0.76x | 0.45x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.64x | 1.41x | 2.26x | 1.59x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.49x | 19.87x | 59.99x | 12.29x |
MEOH leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EMN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EMN delivers a 6.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $7 in annual profit, vs $-7 for LYB. EMN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.84x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to OLN's 1.76x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MEOH scores 5/9 vs LYB's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | MEOHMethanex Corporat… | EMNEastman Chemical … | LYBLyondellBasell In… | OLNOlin Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.9% | +6.7% | -7.2% | -6.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.1% | +2.6% | -3.0% | -1.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.6% | +6.7% | -1.1% | +1.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.5% | +7.5% | -1.1% | +1.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.29x | 0.84x | 1.56x | 1.76x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.1B | $4.5B | $12.5B | $3.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $428M | $566M | $3.4B | $168M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.5B | $5.1B | $16.0B | $3.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.93x | 2.22x | -1.42x | 0.66x |
EMN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MEOH leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MEOH five years ago would be worth $16,215 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,609 for OLN. Over the past 12 months, MEOH leads with a +91.9% total return vs EMN's +2.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MEOH at 12.8% vs OLN's -19.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MEOHMethanex Corporat… | EMNEastman Chemical … | LYBLyondellBasell In… | OLNOlin Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +51.1% | +15.8% | +62.6% | +25.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +91.9% | +2.3% | +37.2% | +35.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +43.6% | +3.4% | -5.5% | -46.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +62.2% | -28.4% | -11.3% | -33.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +135.7% | +35.4% | +48.6% | +61.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.8% | +1.1% | -1.9% | -19.0% |
MEOH leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MEOH and LYB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LYB is the less volatile stock with a 0.38 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than OLN's 1.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MEOH currently trades 92.0% from its 52-week high vs LYB's 85.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MEOHMethanex Corporat… | EMNEastman Chemical … | LYBLyondellBasell In… | OLNOlin Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.39x | 1.36x | 0.38x | 1.47x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $66.75 | $84.18 | $83.94 | $30.46 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $31.57 | $56.11 | $41.58 | $18.08 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.0% | +87.5% | +85.2% | +87.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.4 | 56.9 | 50.9 | 58.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.7M | 1.5M | 8.1M | 2.7M |
Evenly matched — MEOH and LYB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — EMN and LYB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: MEOH as "Buy", EMN as "Buy", LYB as "Hold", OLN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 4.9% upside for EMN (target: $77) vs -9.1% for OLN (target: $24). For income investors, LYB offers the higher dividend yield at 7.66% vs MEOH's 1.22%.
| Metric | MEOHMethanex Corporat… | EMNEastman Chemical … | LYBLyondellBasell In… | OLNOlin Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $61.75 | $77.29 | $73.60 | $24.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 35 | 39 | 35 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +4.5% | +7.7% | +3.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | 12 | 2 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.75 | $3.30 | $5.48 | $0.80 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.2% | +0.9% | +1.7% |
Evenly matched — EMN and LYB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MEOH leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). EMN leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
Best OverallMethanex Corporation (MEOH)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MEOH vs EMN vs LYB vs OLN: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Olin Corporation (OLN) is the stronger pick with 3.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -25. 2% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB). Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) offers the better valuation at 18. 0x trailing P/E (12. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Methanex Corporation (MEOH) a "Buy" — based on 19 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 — MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN?
On trailing P/E, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) is the cheapest at 18.
0x versus Methanex Corporation at 65. 3x. On forward P/E, Methanex Corporation is actually cheaper at 8. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN?
Over the past 5 years, Methanex Corporation (MEOH) delivered a total return of +62.
2%, compared to -33. 9% for Olin Corporation (OLN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MEOH returned +135. 7% versus EMN's +35. 4%. 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 — MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), LyondellBasell Industries N.
V. (LYB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 38β versus Olin Corporation's 1. 47β — meaning OLN is approximately 287% more volatile than LYB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 84% versus 176% for Olin Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Olin Corporation (OLN) is pulling ahead at 3.
7% versus -25. 2% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Eastman Chemical Company grew EPS -46. 5% year-over-year, compared to -156. 6% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MEOH leads at -5. 9% 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 — MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN?
Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) is the more profitable company, earning 5.
4% net margin versus -2. 5% for LyondellBasell Industries N. V. — meaning it keeps 5. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MEOH leads at 12. 9% versus -1. 1% for LYB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MEOH leads at 25. 3%, 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 MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Methanex Corporation (MEOH) trades at 8.
2x forward P/E versus 12. 5x for Eastman Chemical Company — 4. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EMN: 4. 9% to $77. 29.
08Which pays a better dividend — MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
LyondellBasell Industries N. V. (LYB) offers the highest yield at 7. 7%, versus 1. 2% for Methanex Corporation (MEOH).
09Is MEOH or EMN or LYB or OLN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Methanex Corporation (MEOH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
39), 1. 2% yield, +135. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MEOH: +135. 7%, OLN: +61. 0%), 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 MEOH and EMN and LYB and OLN?
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: MEOH is a small-cap quality compounder stock; EMN is a small-cap deep-value stock; LYB is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; OLN 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(MEOH: 2.1% · EMN: -4.9%)Net Margin>
%
(MEOH: 2.2% · EMN: 4.6%)P/E Ratio<
x
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