NEU
NewMarket Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$6.44B
5Y Perf.+57.0%
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Stock Comparison
NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$71.80B
5Y Perf.+19.6%
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$20.70B
5Y Perf.-39.1%
RPM
RPM International Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$12.91B
5Y Perf.+34.8%
NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NEU | ECL | IFF | RPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $6.44B | $71.80B | $20.70B | $12.91B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.69B | $16.08B | $10.79B | $7.58B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $411M | $2.08B | $839M | $667M |
| Gross Margin | 31.3% | 44.5% | 35.1% | 41.2% |
| Operating Margin | 19.6% | 17.7% | 8.0% | 12.0% |
| Forward P/E | 15.4x | 30.5x | 18.1x | 18.4x |
| Total Debt | $962M | $9.43B | $6.65B | $2.96B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $78M | $646M | $590M | $302M |
NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NEU
ECL
IFF
RPM
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NewMarket Corporati… (NEU) | 100 | 157.0 | +57.0% |
| Ecolab Inc. (ECL) | 100 | 119.6 | +19.6% |
| International Flavo… (IFF) | 100 | 60.9 | -39.1% |
| RPM International I… (RPM) | 100 | 134.8 | +34.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NEU leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Ecolab Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. IFF and RPM also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
NEU
NewMarket Corporation
The Defensive Pick
NEU carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.56, Low D/E 54.1%, current ratio 2.53x
- Beta 0.56, yield 1.6%, current ratio 2.53x
- Lower P/E (15.4x vs 18.1x)
- 15.3% margin vs IFF's 7.8%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night and defensive
ECL
Ecolab Inc.
The Growth Play
ECL is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure and long-term compounding is your priority.
- Rev growth 2.2%, EPS growth -1.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.3%
- 137.4% 10Y total return vs NEU's 90.0%
- 2.2% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
The Momentum Pick
IFF is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +11.6% vs RPM's -7.2%
Best for: momentum
RPM
RPM International Inc.
The Income Pick
RPM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and valuation efficiency.
- Dividend streak 30 yrs, beta 1.01, yield 2.0%
- PEG 1.02 vs NEU's 1.23
- 2.0% yield, 30-year raise streak, vs NEU's 1.6%
Best for: income & stability and valuation efficiency
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ECL | 2.2% revenue growth vs IFF's -5.2% |
| Value | NEU | Lower P/E (15.4x vs 18.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | NEU | 15.3% margin vs IFF's 7.8% |
| Stability / Safety | NEU | Beta 0.56 vs RPM's 1.01, lower leverage |
| Dividends | RPM | 2.0% yield, 30-year raise streak, vs NEU's 1.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | IFF | +11.6% vs RPM's -7.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NEU | 12.2% ROA vs IFF's 3.3%, ROIC 16.0% vs 3.5% |
NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNEULAGGINGECL
Who Leads Where
NEU leads in 3 of 6 categories
IFF leads 1 • RPM leads 1 • ECL leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓ECLEcolab Inc.
0leads
RPMRPM International Inc.
1leads
IFFInternational Flavors…
1leads
NEUNewMarket Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IFFvs RPMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NEU3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IFF3/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NEU7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NEU3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
RPM2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NEU leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ECL is the larger business by revenue, generating $16.1B annually — 6.0x NEU's $2.7B. NEU is the more profitable business, keeping 15.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to IFF's 7.8%. On growth, ECL holds the edge at +4.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NEUNewMarket Corpora… | ECLEcolab Inc. | IFFInternational Fla… | RPMRPM International… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.7B | $16.1B | $10.8B | $7.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $652M | $3.5B | $1.7B | $1.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $411M | $2.1B | $839M | $667M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $484M | $1.9B | $400M | $583M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.3% | +44.5% | +35.1% | +41.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.6% | +17.7% | +8.0% | +12.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +15.3% | +12.9% | +7.8% | +8.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.0% | +11.8% | +3.7% | +7.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.5% | +4.8% | -3.6% | +3.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -5.3% | +19.3% | +116.6% | -11.3% |
NEU leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IFF leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 15.4x trailing earnings, NEU trades at a 56% valuation discount to ECL's 34.9x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), RPM offers better value at 1.05x vs NEU's 1.23x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | NEUNewMarket Corpora… | ECLEcolab Inc. | IFFInternational Fla… | RPMRPM International… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6.4B | $71.8B | $20.7B | $12.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.3B | $80.6B | $26.8B | $15.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.41x | 34.92x | -55.51x | 18.84x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 30.47x | 18.13x | 18.37x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.23x | — | — | 1.05x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.99x | 22.48x | 13.64x | 14.16x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.36x | 4.46x | 1.90x | 1.75x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.62x | 7.39x | 1.46x | 4.48x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.10x | 37.70x | 80.87x | 23.99x |
IFF leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NEU leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NEU delivers a 39.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $39 in annual profit, vs $6 for IFF. IFF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to RPM's 1.03x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RPM scores 7/9 vs IFF's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NEUNewMarket Corpora… | ECLEcolab Inc. | IFFInternational Fla… | RPMRPM International… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +39.3% | +22.0% | +5.9% | +21.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +12.2% | +8.8% | +3.3% | +8.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +16.0% | +12.7% | +3.5% | +13.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +18.7% | +15.8% | +4.4% | +15.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.54x | 0.96x | 0.47x | 1.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $884M | $8.8B | $6.1B | $2.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $78M | $646M | $590M | $302M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $962M | $9.4B | $6.7B | $3.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 14.71x | 9.82x | 5.26x | 8.51x |
NEU leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NEU leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NEU five years ago would be worth $20,872 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,548 for IFF. Over the past 12 months, IFF leads with a +11.6% total return vs RPM's -7.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NEU at 22.1% vs IFF's -3.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NEUNewMarket Corpora… | ECLEcolab Inc. | IFFInternational Fla… | RPMRPM International… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +0.0% | -2.9% | +19.7% | -1.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +9.9% | +1.4% | +11.6% | -7.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +82.3% | +51.4% | -10.4% | +32.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +108.7% | +18.1% | -34.5% | +12.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +90.0% | +137.4% | -10.3% | +133.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +22.1% | +14.8% | -3.6% | +9.8% |
NEU leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NEU and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NEU is the less volatile stock with a 0.56 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RPM's 1.01 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IFF currently trades 96.3% from its 52-week high vs RPM's 78.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | NEUNewMarket Corpora… | ECLEcolab Inc. | IFFInternational Fla… | RPMRPM International… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.56x | 0.64x | 0.86x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $875.97 | $309.27 | $84.19 | $129.12 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $580.03 | $249.04 | $59.14 | $92.92 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +78.2% | +82.2% | +96.3% | +78.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.1 | 39.8 | 60.5 | 45.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 128K | 1.4M | 1.6M | 929K |
Evenly matched — NEU and IFF each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
RPM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: NEU as "Hold", ECL as "Buy", IFF as "Buy", RPM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 28.7% upside for ECL (target: $327) vs 8.7% for IFF (target: $88). For income investors, RPM offers the higher dividend yield at 1.98% vs ECL's 1.04%.
| Metric | NEUNewMarket Corpora… | ECLEcolab Inc. | IFFInternational Fla… | RPMRPM International… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $327.11 | $88.13 | $122.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 37 | 33 | 22 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.6% | +1.0% | +2.0% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 7 | 12 | 0 | 30 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $11.29 | $2.64 | $1.60 | $1.99 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.2% | +1.1% | +0.2% | +0.7% |
RPM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
NEU leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). IFF leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallNewMarket Corporation (NEU)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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NEU vs ECL vs IFF vs RPM: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is the stronger pick with 2. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). NewMarket Corporation (NEU) offers the better valuation at 15. 4x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ecolab Inc. (ECL) 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 — NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM?
On trailing P/E, NewMarket Corporation (NEU) is the cheapest at 15.
4x versus Ecolab Inc. at 34. 9x. On forward P/E, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM?
Over the past 5 years, NewMarket Corporation (NEU) delivered a total return of +108.
7%, compared to -34. 5% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ECL returned +137. 4% versus IFF's -10. 3%. 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 — NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NewMarket Corporation (NEU) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
56β versus RPM International Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning RPM is approximately 80% more volatile than NEU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 103% for RPM International Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ecolab Inc.
(ECL) is pulling ahead at 2. 2% versus -5. 2% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: RPM International Inc. grew EPS 17. 3% year-over-year, compared to -253. 7% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ECL leads at 4. 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 — NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM?
NewMarket Corporation (NEU) is the more profitable company, earning 15.
4% net margin versus -3. 4% for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. — meaning it keeps 15. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NEU leads at 20. 0% versus 9. 2% for IFF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ECL leads at 44. 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 NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
(IFF) trades at 18. 1x forward P/E versus 30. 5x for Ecolab Inc. — 12. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ECL: 28. 7% to $327. 11.
08Which pays a better dividend — NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
RPM International Inc. (RPM) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 1. 0% for Ecolab Inc. (ECL).
09Is NEU or ECL or IFF or RPM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NewMarket Corporation (NEU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
56), 1. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NEU: +90. 0%, RPM: +133. 5%), 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 NEU and ECL and IFF and RPM?
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: NEU is a small-cap deep-value stock; ECL is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; IFF is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; RPM is a mid-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>
%
(NEU: -4.5% · ECL: 4.8%)Net Margin>
%
(NEU: 15.3% · ECL: 12.9%)P/E Ratio<
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