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SQM vs MOS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Agricultural Inputs
SQM vs MOS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Agricultural Inputs |
| Market Cap | $13.08B | $7.27B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.33B | $11.68B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $524M | $1.22B |
| Gross Margin | 27.7% | 16.5% |
| Operating Margin | 21.1% | 9.9% |
| Forward P/E | 15.6x | 15.9x |
| Total Debt | $4.82B | $760M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.38B | $277M |
SQM vs MOS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sociedad Química y … (SQM) | 100 | 375.0 | +275.0% |
| The Mosaic Company (MOS) | 100 | 183.5 | +83.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SQM vs MOS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
SQM is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 464.6% 10Y total return vs MOS's 14.9%
- Lower P/E (15.6x vs 15.9x)
- 12.1% margin vs MOS's 10.5%
MOS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.52, yield 4.2%
- Rev growth 5.0%, EPS growth 6.1%, 3Y rev CAGR -15.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.52, Low D/E 6.2%, current ratio 1.32x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5.0% revenue growth vs SQM's -39.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (15.6x vs 15.9x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 12.1% margin vs MOS's 10.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.52 vs SQM's 1.24, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 4.2% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs SQM's 0.3% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +173.2% vs MOS's -24.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.0% ROA vs SQM's 4.5%, ROIC 6.1% vs 9.0% |
SQM vs MOS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
SQM vs MOS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SQM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MOS is the larger business by revenue, generating $11.7B annually — 2.7x SQM's $4.3B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 12.1% (SQM) to 10.5% (MOS). On growth, SQM holds the edge at +8.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.3B | $11.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $917M | $2.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $524M | $1.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $66M | -$535M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +27.7% | +16.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +21.1% | +9.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.1% | +10.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.5% | -4.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.9% | -7.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +34.8% | +3.8% |
Valuation Metrics
MOS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, MOS's 3.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SQM's 15.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $13.1B | $7.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $16.5B | $7.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -64.51x | 5.90x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 15.60x | 15.89x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.34x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.43x | 3.59x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.89x | 0.62x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.02x | 0.55x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 43.19x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
MOS leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MOS delivers a 10.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $9 for SQM. MOS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.06x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SQM's 0.93x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MOS scores 7/9 vs SQM's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.5% | +10.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.5% | +5.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.0% | +6.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.4% | +5.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.93x | 0.06x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.4B | $483M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.4B | $277M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.8B | $760M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.37x | 8.81x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SQM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SQM five years ago would be worth $19,418 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,211 for MOS. Over the past 12 months, SQM leads with a +173.2% total return vs MOS's -24.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SQM at 12.0% vs MOS's -12.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +31.4% | -7.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +173.2% | -24.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +40.7% | -32.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +94.2% | -27.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +464.6% | +14.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +12.0% | -12.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SQM and MOS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MOS is the less volatile stock with a 0.52 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SQM's 1.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SQM currently trades 93.5% from its 52-week high vs MOS's 59.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.26x | 0.51x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $98.00 | $38.23 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $29.36 | $22.74 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.5% | +59.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 61.5 | 42.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.3M | 9.5M |
Analyst Outlook
MOS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SQM as "Hold" and MOS as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 36.4% upside for MOS (target: $31) vs -14.9% for SQM (target: $78). For income investors, MOS offers the higher dividend yield at 4.15% vs SQM's 0.26%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $78.00 | $31.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 49 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.3% | +4.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.24 | $0.95 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
MOS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). SQM leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). 1 tied.
SQM vs MOS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SQM or MOS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, The Mosaic Company (MOS) is the stronger pick with 5.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -39. 4% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM). The Mosaic Company (MOS) offers the better valuation at 5. 9x trailing P/E (15. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM) a "Hold" — based on 16 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 — SQM or MOS?
On forward P/E, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. is actually cheaper at 15. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SQM or MOS?
Over the past 5 years, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) delivered a total return of +94. 2%, compared to -27. 9% for The Mosaic Company (MOS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SQM returned +468. 7% versus MOS's +12. 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 — SQM or MOS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), The Mosaic Company (MOS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
51β versus Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. 's 1. 26β — meaning SQM is approximately 145% more volatile than MOS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, The Mosaic Company (MOS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 93% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SQM or MOS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), The Mosaic Company (MOS) is pulling ahead at 5.
0% versus -39. 4% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Mosaic Company grew EPS 605. 5% year-over-year, compared to -120. 1% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SQM leads at 16. 5% 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 — SQM or MOS?
The Mosaic Company (MOS) is the more profitable company, earning 10.
5% net margin versus -8. 9% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — meaning it keeps 10. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SQM leads at 23. 5% versus 9. 9% for MOS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SQM leads at 29. 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 SQM or MOS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) trades at 15. 6x forward P/E versus 15. 9x for The Mosaic Company — 0. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MOS: 36. 4% to $31. 25.
08Which pays a better dividend — SQM or MOS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
The Mosaic Company (MOS) offers the highest yield at 4. 2%, versus 0. 3% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM).
09Is SQM or MOS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, The Mosaic Company (MOS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
51), 4. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MOS: +12. 0%, SQM: +468. 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.
10What are the main differences between SQM and MOS?
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: SQM is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; MOS is a small-cap deep-value stock. MOS pays a dividend while SQM 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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