OEC
Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$403M
5Y Perf.-35.2%
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Stock Comparison
OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CBT
Cabot Corporation
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$4.24B
5Y Perf.+127.5%
KRO
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$811M
5Y Perf.-27.8%
IOSP
Innospec Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$1.91B
5Y Perf.-0.6%
OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | OEC | CBT | KRO | IOSP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $403M | $4.24B | $811M | $1.91B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.79B | $3.58B | $1.88B | $1.78B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-89M | $285M | $-134M | $117M |
| Gross Margin | 19.1% | 24.8% | 10.1% | 27.7% |
| Operating Margin | 4.5% | 15.7% | -3.1% | 8.7% |
| Forward P/E | 31.8x | 13.0x | — | 15.5x |
| Total Debt | $980M | $1.22B | $577M | $90M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $61M | $258M | $37M | $293M |
OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
OEC
CBT
KRO
IOSP
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Engineered Ca… (OEC) | 100 | 64.8 | -35.2% |
| Cabot Corporation (CBT) | 100 | 227.5 | +127.5% |
| Kronos Worldwide, I… (KRO) | 100 | 72.2 | -27.8% |
| Innospec Inc. (IOSP) | 100 | 99.4 | -0.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CBT leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. IOSP also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
OEC
Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.
The Secondary Option
OEC lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: basic materials exposure
CBT
Cabot Corporation
The Long-Run Compounder
CBT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding.
- 115.7% 10Y total return vs KRO's 129.0%
- Lower P/E (13.0x vs 15.5x)
- 8.0% margin vs KRO's -7.1%
- +13.8% vs OEC's -35.4%
Best for: long-term compounding
KRO
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
The Growth Play
KRO is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth -1.5%, EPS growth -228.0%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.2%
- -1.5% revenue growth vs CBT's -7.0%
- 2.8% yield, vs IOSP's 2.2%
Best for: growth exposure
IOSP
Innospec Inc.
The Income Pick
IOSP is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 12 yrs, beta 0.70, yield 2.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.70, Low D/E 6.7%, current ratio 2.79x
- Beta 0.70, yield 2.2%, current ratio 2.79x
- Beta 0.70 vs KRO's 1.57, lower leverage
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KRO | -1.5% revenue growth vs CBT's -7.0% |
| Value | CBT | Lower P/E (13.0x vs 15.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | CBT | 8.0% margin vs KRO's -7.1% |
| Stability / Safety | IOSP | Beta 0.70 vs KRO's 1.57, lower leverage |
| Dividends | KRO | 2.8% yield, vs IOSP's 2.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CBT | +13.8% vs OEC's -35.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CBT | 7.4% ROA vs KRO's -9.4%, ROIC 17.4% vs -1.9% |
OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2014
FY 2025
OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCBTLAGGINGIOSP
Who Leads Where
CBT leads in 3 of 6 categories
OEC leads 1 • KRO leads 0 • IOSP leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓IOSPInnospec Inc.
0leads
KROKronos Worldwide, Inc.
0leads
OECOrion Engineered Carb…
1leads
CBTCabot Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs OECvs KROMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CBT3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
OEC4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CBT6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CBT4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CBT leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CBT is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.6B annually — 2.0x IOSP's $1.8B. CBT is the more profitable business, keeping 8.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KRO's -7.1%. On growth, KRO holds the edge at +4.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | OECOrion Engineered … | CBTCabot Corporation | KROKronos Worldwide,… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.8B | $3.6B | $1.9B | $1.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $180M | $731M | -$9M | $198M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$89M | $285M | -$134M | $117M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $68M | $459M | $35M | $88M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.1% | +24.8% | +10.1% | +27.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.5% | +15.7% | -3.1% | +8.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -5.0% | +8.0% | -7.1% | +6.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.8% | +12.8% | +1.9% | +4.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.8% | -3.4% | +4.1% | -2.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.1% | -23.1% | -126.1% | +167.7% |
CBT leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
OEC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.5x trailing earnings, CBT trades at a 18% valuation discount to IOSP's 16.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, OEC's 5.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KRO's 40.7x.
| Metric | OECOrion Engineered … | CBTCabot Corporation | KROKronos Worldwide,… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $403M | $4.2B | $811M | $1.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $5.2B | $1.4B | $1.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -5.78x | 13.50x | -7.34x | 16.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 31.80x | 13.04x | — | 15.45x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 0.51x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 5.66x | 6.71x | 40.71x | 8.29x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.22x | 1.14x | 0.44x | 1.07x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.05x | 2.58x | 1.08x | 1.44x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.04x | 10.86x | — | 21.68x |
OEC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CBT leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CBT delivers a 16.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $17 in annual profit, vs $-22 for OEC. IOSP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to OEC's 2.55x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CBT scores 6/9 vs OEC's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | OECOrion Engineered … | CBTCabot Corporation | KROKronos Worldwide,… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -21.8% | +16.8% | -17.0% | +9.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.6% | +7.4% | -9.4% | +6.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.5% | +17.4% | -1.9% | +11.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.8% | +21.3% | -2.2% | +11.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.55x | 0.71x | 0.77x | 0.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $919M | $957M | $540M | -$203M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $61M | $258M | $37M | $293M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $980M | $1.2B | $577M | $90M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.14x | 14.72x | -2.32x | — |
CBT leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CBT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CBT five years ago would be worth $14,321 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,442 for OEC. Over the past 12 months, CBT leads with a +13.8% total return vs OEC's -35.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CBT at 7.0% vs OEC's -32.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | OECOrion Engineered … | CBTCabot Corporation | KROKronos Worldwide,… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +36.7% | +21.9% | +58.5% | +0.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -35.4% | +13.8% | -1.2% | -14.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -69.0% | +22.5% | -0.7% | -17.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -65.6% | +43.2% | -43.9% | -18.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -29.7% | +115.7% | +129.0% | +84.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -32.3% | +7.0% | -0.2% | -6.1% |
CBT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CBT 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 KRO's 1.57 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CBT currently trades 96.1% from its 52-week high vs OEC's 59.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | OECOrion Engineered … | CBTCabot Corporation | KROKronos Worldwide,… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.39x | 0.78x | 1.57x | 0.70x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $12.10 | $84.60 | $7.90 | $95.55 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.35 | $58.33 | $4.08 | $65.58 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +59.3% | +96.1% | +89.2% | +80.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 74.4 | 71.7 | 63.4 | 59.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 610K | 374K | 350K | 221K |
Evenly matched — CBT and IOSP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — KRO and IOSP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: OEC as "Buy", CBT as "Buy", KRO as "Hold", IOSP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 50.1% upside for IOSP (target: $115) vs -29.1% for KRO (target: $5). For income investors, KRO offers the higher dividend yield at 2.84% vs OEC's 1.16%.
| Metric | OECOrion Engineered … | CBTCabot Corporation | KROKronos Worldwide,… | IOSPInnospec Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $5.88 | $78.00 | $5.00 | $115.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 15 | 7 | 9 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.2% | +2.2% | +2.8% | +2.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.08 | $1.77 | $0.20 | $1.70 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +6.1% | +4.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — KRO and IOSP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CBT leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). OEC leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallCabot Corporation (CBT)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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OEC vs CBT vs KRO vs IOSP: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
(KRO) is the stronger pick with -1. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 0% for Cabot Corporation (CBT). Cabot Corporation (CBT) offers the better valuation at 13. 5x trailing P/E (13. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Orion Engineered Carbons S. A. (OEC) 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 — OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP?
On trailing P/E, Cabot Corporation (CBT) is the cheapest at 13.
5x versus Innospec Inc. at 16. 4x. On forward P/E, Cabot Corporation is actually cheaper at 13. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP?
Over the past 5 years, Cabot Corporation (CBT) delivered a total return of +43.
2%, compared to -65. 6% for Orion Engineered Carbons S. A. (OEC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KRO returned +129. 0% versus OEC's -29. 7%. 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 — OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Innospec Inc.
(IOSP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 70β versus Kronos Worldwide, Inc. 's 1. 57β — meaning KRO is approximately 125% 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 3% for Orion Engineered Carbons S. A. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
(KRO) is pulling ahead at -1. 5% versus -7. 0% for Cabot Corporation (CBT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Innospec Inc. grew EPS 228. 9% year-over-year, compared to -263. 2% for Orion Engineered Carbons S. A.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KRO leads at -1. 2% 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 — OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP?
Cabot Corporation (CBT) is the more profitable company, earning 8.
9% net margin versus -6. 0% for Kronos Worldwide, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CBT leads at 16. 7% versus -1. 7% for KRO. 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 OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Cabot Corporation (CBT) trades at 13.
0x forward P/E versus 31. 8x for Orion Engineered Carbons S. A. — 18. 8x 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 — OEC or CBT or KRO or IOSP?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (KRO) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 1. 2% for Orion Engineered Carbons S. A. (OEC).
09Is OEC or CBT or KRO 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). Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (KRO) 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 (IOSP: +84. 4%, KRO: +129. 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 OEC and CBT and KRO 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: OEC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; CBT is a small-cap deep-value stock; KRO 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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