SQM
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$13.23B
5Y Perf.+280.1%
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Stock Comparison
SQM vs TSLA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
TSLA
Tesla, Inc.
Auto - Manufacturers
Market Cap$1.46T
5Y Perf.+599.3%
SQM vs TSLA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SQM | TSLA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals - Specialty | Auto - Manufacturers |
| Market Cap | $13.23B | $1.46T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.33B | $97.88B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $524M | $3.88B |
| Gross Margin | 27.7% | 19.1% |
| Operating Margin | 21.1% | 5.0% |
| Forward P/E | 15.2x | 201.3x |
| Total Debt | $4.82B | $8.38B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.38B | $16.51B |
SQM vs TSLA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SQM
TSLA
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sociedad Química y … (SQM) | 100 | 380.1 | +280.1% |
| Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) | 100 | 699.3 | +599.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SQM vs TSLA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SQM leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Tesla, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
SQM
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.
The Income Pick
SQM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.24, yield 0.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.24, Low D/E 92.7%, current ratio 2.51x
- Beta 1.24, yield 0.3%, current ratio 2.51x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
TSLA
Tesla, Inc.
The Growth Play
TSLA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -2.9%, EPS growth -47.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.2%
- 26.6% 10Y total return vs SQM's 442.2%
- -2.9% revenue growth vs SQM's -39.4%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | TSLA | -2.9% revenue growth vs SQM's -39.4% |
| Value | SQM | Lower P/E (15.2x vs 201.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | SQM | 12.1% margin vs TSLA's 4.0% |
| Stability / Safety | SQM | Beta 1.24 vs TSLA's 2.06 |
| Dividends | SQM | 0.3% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | SQM | +174.0% vs TSLA's +38.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SQM | 4.5% ROA vs TSLA's 2.9%, ROIC 9.0% vs 4.5% |
SQM vs TSLA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
SQM vs TSLA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSQMLAGGINGTSLA
TSLATesla, Inc.
0leads
SQMSociedad Química y Mi…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs TSLAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SQM4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SQM6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SQM5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
SQM2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SQM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TSLA is the larger business by revenue, generating $97.9B annually — 22.6x SQM's $4.3B. SQM is the more profitable business, keeping 12.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to TSLA's 4.0%. On growth, TSLA holds the edge at +15.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SQMSociedad Química … | TSLATesla, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.3B | $97.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $917M | $9.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $524M | $3.9B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $66M | $7.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +27.7% | +19.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +21.1% | +5.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.1% | +4.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.5% | +7.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.9% | +15.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +34.8% | +11.9% |
SQM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SQM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, SQM's 15.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than TSLA's 138.3x.
| Metric | SQMSociedad Química … | TSLATesla, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $13.2B | $1.46T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $16.7B | $1.45T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -65.24x | 360.46x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 15.21x | 201.32x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 9.30x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.57x | 138.31x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.92x | 15.41x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.08x | 16.57x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 43.68x | 234.86x |
SQM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SQM leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SQM delivers a 9.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $5 for TSLA. TSLA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.10x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SQM's 0.93x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TSLA scores 6/9 vs SQM's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | SQMSociedad Química … | TSLATesla, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.5% | +4.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.5% | +2.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.0% | +4.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.4% | +4.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.93x | 0.10x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.4B | -$8.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.4B | $16.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.8B | $8.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.37x | 17.04x |
SQM leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — SQM and TSLA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SQM five years ago would be worth $19,767 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $17,407 for TSLA. Over the past 12 months, SQM leads with a +174.0% total return vs TSLA's +38.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TSLA at 31.8% vs SQM's 13.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SQMSociedad Química … | TSLATesla, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.9% | -11.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +174.0% | +38.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +44.9% | +128.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +97.7% | +74.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +442.2% | +2661.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +13.2% | +31.8% |
Evenly matched — SQM and TSLA each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SQM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SQM is the less volatile stock with a 1.24 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TSLA's 2.06 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SQM currently trades 97.1% from its 52-week high vs TSLA's 78.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SQMSociedad Química … | TSLATesla, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.24x | 2.06x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $95.45 | $498.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $29.36 | $271.00 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.1% | +78.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.2 | 56.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.3M | 61.6M |
SQM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SQM as "Hold" and TSLA as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 15.7% upside for TSLA (target: $450) vs -18.5% for SQM (target: $76). SQM is the only dividend payer here at 0.25% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | SQMSociedad Química … | TSLATesla, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $75.50 | $450.45 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 81 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.3% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.24 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
SQM leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallSociedad Química y Minera d… (SQM)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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SQM vs TSLA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SQM or TSLA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Tesla, Inc.
(TSLA) is the stronger pick with -2. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -39. 4% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM). Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) offers the better valuation at 360. 5x trailing P/E (201. 3x 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 TSLA?
On forward P/E, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. is actually cheaper at 15. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SQM or TSLA?
Over the past 5 years, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) delivered a total return of +97. 7%, compared to +74. 1% for Tesla, Inc. (TSLA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TSLA returned +26. 6% versus SQM's +442. 2%. 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 TSLA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 24β versus Tesla, Inc. 's 2. 06β — meaning TSLA is approximately 67% more volatile than SQM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 10% 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 TSLA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tesla, Inc.
(TSLA) is pulling ahead at -2. 9% versus -39. 4% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. (SQM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Tesla, Inc. grew EPS -47. 0% 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 TSLA?
Tesla, Inc.
(TSLA) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 0% net margin versus -8. 9% for Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A. — meaning it keeps 4. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SQM leads at 23. 5% versus 4. 6% for TSLA. 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 TSLA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) trades at 15. 2x forward P/E versus 201. 3x for Tesla, Inc. — 186. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TSLA: 15. 7% to $450. 45.
08Which pays a better dividend — SQM or TSLA?
In this comparison, SQM (0.
3% yield) pays a dividend. TSLA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is SQM or TSLA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.
A. (SQM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 24), +442. 2% 10Y return). Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) carries a higher beta of 2. 06 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SQM: +442. 2%, TSLA: +26. 6%), 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 TSLA?
These companies operate in different sectors (SQM (Basic Materials) and TSLA (Consumer Cyclical)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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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%
(SQM: 8.9% · TSLA: 15.8%)Net Margin>
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