Chemicals - Specialty
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Side-by-side financial analysisStock Comparison
PRM vs ALB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
PRM vs ALB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $5.79B | $20.10B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $706M | $5.49B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-190M | $-233M |
| Gross Margin | 56.4% | 18.5% |
| Operating Margin | -20.5% | 5.6% |
| Forward P/E | 20.3x | 14.0x |
| Total Debt | $34M | $3.30B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $326M | $1.62B |
PRM vs ALB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Nov 21 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perimeter Solutions… (PRM) | 100 | 301.9 | +201.9% |
| Albemarle Corporati… (ALB) | 100 | 63.9 | -36.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PRM vs ALB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PRM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.09
- Rev growth 16.4%, EPS growth -32.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 21.9%
- 195.6% 10Y total return vs ALB's 137.7%
ALB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (14.0x vs 20.3x)
- -4.2% margin vs PRM's -26.9%
- 0.9% yield; 32-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 16.4% revenue growth vs ALB's -4.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (14.0x vs 20.3x) | |
| Quality / Margins | -4.2% margin vs PRM's -26.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.09 vs ALB's 1.69, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.9% yield; 32-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +176.0% vs PRM's +164.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -1.4% ROA vs PRM's -6.9%, ROIC 0.6% vs -11.6% |
PRM vs ALB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PRM vs ALB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PRM leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ALB is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.5B annually — 7.8x PRM's $706M. ALB is the more profitable business, keeping -4.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PRM's -26.9%. On growth, PRM holds the edge at +73.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $706M | $5.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$102M | $802M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$190M | -$233M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $86M | $577M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +56.4% | +18.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -20.5% | +5.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -26.9% | -4.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.2% | +10.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +73.6% | +32.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +22.2% | — |
Valuation Metrics
ALB leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.8B | $20.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.5B | $21.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -25.89x | -29.64x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.34x | 13.98x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 28.87x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 8.86x | 3.91x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.66x | 2.05x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.74x | 29.02x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ALB leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ALB delivers a -2.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-2 in annual profit, vs $-16 for PRM. PRM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ALB's 0.34x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ALB scores 6/9 vs PRM's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -16.4% | -2.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -6.9% | -1.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -11.6% | +0.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -8.3% | +0.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 0.34x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$292M | $1.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $326M | $1.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $34M | $3.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -5.17x | 1.59x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PRM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PRM five years ago would be worth $29,558 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,599 for ALB. Over the past 12 months, ALB leads with a +176.0% total return vs PRM's +164.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PRM at 78.1% vs ALB's -7.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +28.9% | +19.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +164.1% | +176.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +464.8% | -19.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +195.6% | +6.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +195.6% | +137.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +78.1% | -7.0% |
Risk & Volatility
PRM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PRM is the less volatile stock with a 1.09 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ALB's 1.69 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PRM currently trades 98.5% from its 52-week high vs ALB's 77.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.09x | 1.69x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $36.01 | $221.00 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $13.05 | $55.90 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.5% | +77.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 66.7 | 40.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 2.0M |
Analyst Outlook
ALB leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PRM as "Buy" and ALB as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 23.1% upside for ALB (target: $210) vs 4.3% for PRM (target: $37). ALB is the only dividend payer here at 0.95% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $37.00 | $209.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 45 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 32 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.62 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.7% | 0.0% |
PRM leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). ALB leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
PRM vs ALB: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PRM or ALB a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Perimeter Solutions, S.
A. (PRM) is the stronger pick with 16. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 4% for Albemarle Corporation (ALB). Analysts rate Perimeter Solutions, S. A. (PRM) a "Buy" — based on 2 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 is the better long-term investment — PRM or ALB?
Over the past 5 years, Perimeter Solutions, S.
A. (PRM) delivered a total return of +195. 6%, compared to +6. 0% for Albemarle Corporation (ALB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PRM returned +195. 6% versus ALB's +137. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — PRM or ALB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Perimeter Solutions, S.
A. (PRM) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 09β versus Albemarle Corporation's 1. 69β — meaning ALB is approximately 56% more volatile than PRM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Perimeter Solutions, S. A. (PRM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 34% for Albemarle Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — PRM or ALB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Perimeter Solutions, S.
A. (PRM) is pulling ahead at 16. 4% versus -4. 4% for Albemarle Corporation (ALB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Albemarle Corporation grew EPS 48. 7% year-over-year, compared to -32. 8% for Perimeter Solutions, S. A.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PRM leads at 21. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — PRM or ALB?
Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is the more profitable company, earning -9.
9% net margin versus -31. 6% for Perimeter Solutions, S. A. — meaning it keeps -9. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ALB leads at 1. 8% versus -30. 8% for PRM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PRM leads at 57. 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.
06Is PRM or ALB more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Albemarle Corporation (ALB) trades at 14.
0x forward P/E versus 20. 3x for Perimeter Solutions, S. A. — 6. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ALB: 23. 1% to $209. 75.
07Which pays a better dividend — PRM or ALB?
In this comparison, ALB (0.
9% yield) pays a dividend. PRM does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is PRM or ALB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Perimeter Solutions, S.
A. (PRM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 09), +195. 6% 10Y return). Albemarle Corporation (ALB) carries a higher beta of 1. 69 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PRM: +195. 6%, ALB: +137. 7%), 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.
09What are the main differences between PRM and ALB?
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: PRM is a small-cap high-growth stock; ALB is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. ALB pays a dividend while PRM does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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