MTX
Minerals Technologies Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$2.42B
5Y Perf.+57.8%
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Stock Comparison
MTX vs IOSP
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
IOSP
Innospec Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$1.91B
5Y Perf.-0.6%
MTX vs IOSP — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MTX | IOSP |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $2.42B | $1.91B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.13B | $1.78B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $162M | $117M |
| Gross Margin | 18.7% | 27.7% |
| Operating Margin | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Forward P/E | 12.6x | 15.5x |
| Total Debt | $1.05B | $90M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $329M | $293M |
MTX vs IOSP — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MTX
IOSP
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minerals Technologi… (MTX) | 100 | 157.8 | +57.8% |
| Innospec Inc. (IOSP) | 100 | 99.4 | -0.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MTX vs IOSP
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MTX leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Innospec Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MTX
Minerals Technologies Inc.
The Growth Play
MTX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth -2.2%, EPS growth -111.4%, 3Y rev CAGR -0.8%
- -2.2% revenue growth vs IOSP's -3.7%
- Lower P/E (12.6x vs 15.5x)
Best for: growth exposure
IOSP
Innospec Inc.
The Income Pick
IOSP is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 12 yrs, beta 0.70, yield 2.2%
- 84.4% 10Y total return vs MTX's 37.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.70, Low D/E 6.7%, current ratio 2.79x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MTX | -2.2% revenue growth vs IOSP's -3.7% |
| Value | MTX | Lower P/E (12.6x vs 15.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | MTX | 7.6% margin vs IOSP's 6.6% |
| Stability / Safety | IOSP | Beta 0.70 vs MTX's 0.94, lower leverage |
| Dividends | IOSP | 2.2% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs MTX's 0.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MTX | +49.5% vs IOSP's -14.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | IOSP | 6.5% ROA vs MTX's 6.2%, ROIC 11.2% vs 8.7% |
MTX vs IOSP — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
MTX vs IOSP — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMTXLAGGINGIOSP
IOSPInnospec Inc.
2leads
MTXMinerals Technologies…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IOSPMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MTX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MTX4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
IOSP7/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MTX5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
IOSP2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MTX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MTX and IOSP operate at a comparable scale, with $2.1B and $1.8B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.6% (MTX) to 6.6% (IOSP). On growth, MTX holds the edge at +11.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MTXMinerals Technolo… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.1B | $1.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $354M | $198M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $162M | $117M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $118M | $88M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +18.7% | +27.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.1% | +8.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.6% | +6.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.6% | +4.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.2% | -2.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +125.9% | +167.7% |
MTX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MTX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, MTX's 8.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than IOSP's 8.3x.
| Metric | MTXMinerals Technolo… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.4B | $1.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.1B | $1.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -131.88x | 16.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.56x | 15.45x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.51x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.99x | 8.29x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.17x | 1.07x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.40x | 1.44x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.90x | 21.68x |
MTX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IOSP leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MTX delivers a 12.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $9 for IOSP. IOSP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MTX's 0.60x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), IOSP scores 6/9 vs MTX's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | MTXMinerals Technolo… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.6% | +9.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.2% | +6.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.7% | +11.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.7% | +11.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.60x | 0.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $717M | -$203M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $329M | $293M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.0B | $90M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 8.09x | — |
IOSP leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MTX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MTX five years ago would be worth $9,653 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,168 for IOSP. Over the past 12 months, MTX leads with a +49.5% total return vs IOSP's -14.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MTX at 8.6% vs IOSP's -6.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MTXMinerals Technolo… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +27.4% | +0.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +49.5% | -14.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +28.2% | -17.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -3.5% | -18.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +37.0% | +84.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +8.6% | -6.1% |
MTX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MTX 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 MTX's 0.94 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MTX currently trades 96.1% from its 52-week high vs IOSP's 80.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MTXMinerals Technolo… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.94x | 0.70x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $80.99 | $95.55 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $52.11 | $65.58 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.1% | +80.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.2 | 59.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 193K | 221K |
Evenly matched — MTX and IOSP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
IOSP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MTX as "Buy" and IOSP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 50.1% upside for IOSP (target: $115) vs -12.6% for MTX (target: $68). For income investors, IOSP offers the higher dividend yield at 2.21% vs MTX's 0.58%.
| Metric | MTXMinerals Technolo… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $68.00 | $115.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 9 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.6% | +2.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.45 | $1.70 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.4% | 0.0% |
IOSP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MTX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). IOSP leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallMinerals Technologies Inc. (MTX)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MTX vs IOSP: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MTX or IOSP a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Minerals Technologies Inc.
(MTX) is the stronger pick with -2. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 7% for Innospec Inc. (IOSP). Innospec Inc. (IOSP) offers the better valuation at 16. 4x trailing P/E (15. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTX) a "Buy" — based on 10 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 — MTX or IOSP?
On forward P/E, Minerals Technologies Inc.
is actually cheaper at 12. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MTX or IOSP?
Over the past 5 years, Minerals Technologies Inc.
(MTX) delivered a total return of -3. 5%, compared to -18. 3% for Innospec Inc. (IOSP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IOSP returned +84. 4% versus MTX's +37. 0%. 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 — MTX or IOSP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Innospec Inc.
(IOSP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 70β versus Minerals Technologies Inc. 's 0. 94β — meaning MTX is approximately 35% 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 60% for Minerals Technologies Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MTX or IOSP?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Minerals Technologies Inc.
(MTX) is pulling ahead at -2. 2% versus -3. 7% for Innospec Inc. (IOSP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Innospec Inc. grew EPS 228. 9% year-over-year, compared to -111. 4% for Minerals Technologies Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MTX leads at -0. 8% 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 — MTX or IOSP?
Innospec Inc.
(IOSP) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 6% net margin versus -0. 9% for Minerals Technologies Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MTX leads at 13. 9% versus 8. 8% for IOSP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IOSP leads at 27. 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 MTX or IOSP more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Minerals Technologies Inc.
(MTX) trades at 12. 6x forward P/E versus 15. 5x for Innospec Inc. — 2. 9x 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 — MTX or IOSP?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Innospec Inc. (IOSP) offers the highest yield at 2. 2%, versus 0. 6% for Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTX).
09Is MTX or IOSP 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). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IOSP: +84. 4%, MTX: +37. 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 MTX and IOSP?
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: MTX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; IOSP is a small-cap deep-value 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>
%
(MTX: 11.2% · IOSP: -2.4%)Net Margin>
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