Chemicals
Compare Stocks
4 / 10Stock Comparison
TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Chemicals - Specialty
Chemicals - Specialty
Chemicals - Specialty
TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $1.34B | $2.49B | $12.99B | $3.36B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.92B | $1.81B | $7.58B | $5.82B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-359M | $-706M | $667M | $-411M |
| Gross Margin | 5.8% | 28.6% | 41.2% | 15.1% |
| Operating Margin | -4.8% | -33.9% | 12.0% | -0.8% |
| Forward P/E | — | 14.5x | 18.5x | 15.5x |
| Total Debt | $3.59B | $1.57B | $2.96B | $4.58B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $211M | $215M | $302M | $672M |
TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) | 100 | 126.7 | +26.7% |
| Ashland Inc. (ASH) | 100 | 81.1 | -18.9% |
| RPM International I… (RPM) | 100 | 135.6 | +35.6% |
| The Chemours Company (CC) | 100 | 170.9 | +70.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TROX is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if dividends is your priority.
- 3.6% yield, vs RPM's 2.0%
ASH is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 1.29, yield 3.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.29, Low D/E 82.7%, current ratio 2.85x
- Beta 1.29, yield 3.0%, current ratio 2.85x
- Lower P/E (14.5x vs 15.5x)
RPM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 0.5%, EPS growth 17.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.2%
- 0.5% revenue growth vs ASH's -13.7%
- 8.8% margin vs ASH's -39.0%
- Beta 1.01 vs TROX's 2.37, lower leverage
CC is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 219.7% 10Y total return vs RPM's 134.7%
- +108.8% vs RPM's -5.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 0.5% revenue growth vs ASH's -13.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (14.5x vs 15.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 8.8% margin vs ASH's -39.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.01 vs TROX's 2.37, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 3.6% yield, vs RPM's 2.0% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +108.8% vs RPM's -5.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.5% ROA vs ASH's -15.5%, ROIC 13.3% vs -15.9% |
TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
RPM leads in 3 of 6 categories
TROX leads 0 • ASH leads 0 • CC leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RPM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RPM is the larger business by revenue, generating $7.6B annually — 4.2x ASH's $1.8B. RPM is the more profitable business, keeping 8.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ASH's -39.0%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $1.8B | $7.6B | $5.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $166M | -$430M | $1.1B | -$132M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$359M | -$706M | $667M | -$411M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$139M | $343M | $583M | $198M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +5.8% | +28.6% | +41.2% | +15.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -4.8% | -33.9% | +12.0% | -0.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -12.3% | -39.0% | +8.8% | -7.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -4.8% | +19.0% | +7.7% | +3.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.0% | +0.6% | +3.5% | +1.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.1% | -46.2% | -11.3% | -6.1% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — TROX and RPM each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, RPM's 14.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CC's 21.7x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $2.5B | $13.0B | $3.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.7B | $3.9B | $15.6B | $7.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.83x | -2.96x | 18.95x | -8.75x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 14.48x | 18.48x | 15.55x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 1.05x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.80x | — | 14.22x | 21.72x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.46x | 1.37x | 1.76x | 0.58x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.92x | 1.32x | 4.50x | 13.44x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 24.13x | 65.93x |
Profitability & Efficiency
RPM leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
RPM delivers a 21.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $-163 for CC. ASH carries lower financial leverage with a 0.83x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CC's 18.27x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RPM scores 7/9 vs TROX's 2/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -30.4% | -37.5% | +21.3% | -163.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -7.7% | -15.5% | +8.5% | -5.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.3% | -15.9% | +13.3% | -0.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.4% | -16.6% | +15.9% | -0.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.48x | 0.83x | 1.03x | 18.27x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.4B | $1.4B | $2.7B | $3.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $211M | $215M | $302M | $672M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.6B | $1.6B | $3.0B | $4.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.16x | -9.20x | 8.51x | 1.15x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
RPM leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RPM five years ago would be worth $11,343 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,493 for TROX. Over the past 12 months, CC leads with a +108.8% total return vs RPM's -5.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors RPM at 10.0% vs ASH's -12.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +98.1% | -8.3% | -1.2% | +83.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +76.9% | +16.0% | -5.3% | +108.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -23.6% | -33.7% | +33.3% | -15.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -55.1% | -30.0% | +13.4% | -22.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +116.1% | +22.9% | +134.7% | +219.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -8.6% | -12.8% | +10.0% | -5.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ASH and RPM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
RPM is the less volatile stock with a 1.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TROX's 2.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ASH currently trades 83.0% from its 52-week high vs CC's 78.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.37x | 1.29x | 1.01x | 1.92x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $10.59 | $65.65 | $129.12 | $28.67 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.86 | $46.30 | $92.92 | $9.13 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +79.4% | +83.0% | +78.5% | +78.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.5 | 49.2 | 47.7 | 48.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.1M | 688K | 932K | 3.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — TROX and RPM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: TROX as "Buy", ASH as "Buy", RPM as "Buy", CC as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 23.0% upside for ASH (target: $67) vs -13.8% for TROX (target: $7). For income investors, TROX offers the higher dividend yield at 3.60% vs RPM's 1.97%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $7.25 | $67.00 | $122.67 | $22.14 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.6% | +3.0% | +2.0% | +2.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 7 | 30 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.30 | $1.65 | $1.99 | $0.52 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +4.0% | +0.7% | 0.0% |
RPM leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 3 categories are tied.
TROX vs ASH vs RPM vs CC: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TROX or ASH or RPM or CC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, RPM International Inc.
(RPM) is the stronger pick with 0. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -13. 7% for Ashland Inc. (ASH). RPM International Inc. (RPM) offers the better valuation at 19. 0x trailing P/E (18. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) a "Buy" — based on 17 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 — TROX or ASH or RPM or CC?
On forward P/E, Ashland Inc.
is actually cheaper at 14. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TROX or ASH or RPM or CC?
Over the past 5 years, RPM International Inc.
(RPM) delivered a total return of +13. 4%, compared to -55. 1% for Tronox Holdings plc (TROX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CC returned +219. 7% versus ASH's +22. 9%. 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 — TROX or ASH or RPM or CC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), RPM International Inc.
(RPM) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 01β versus Tronox Holdings plc's 2. 37β — meaning TROX is approximately 135% more volatile than RPM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Ashland Inc. (ASH) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 83% versus 18% for The Chemours Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TROX or ASH or RPM or CC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), RPM International Inc.
(RPM) is pulling ahead at 0. 5% versus -13. 7% for Ashland Inc. (ASH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: RPM International Inc. grew EPS 17. 3% year-over-year, compared to -890. 0% for Tronox Holdings plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, RPM leads at 3. 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 — TROX or ASH or RPM or CC?
RPM International Inc.
(RPM) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 3% net margin versus -46. 3% for Ashland Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RPM leads at 12. 3% versus -42. 5% for ASH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RPM leads at 41. 4%, 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 TROX or ASH or RPM or CC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ashland Inc.
(ASH) trades at 14. 5x forward P/E versus 18. 5x for RPM International Inc. — 4. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ASH: 23. 0% to $67. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — TROX or ASH or RPM or CC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 2. 0% for RPM International Inc. (RPM).
09Is TROX or ASH or RPM or CC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, RPM International Inc.
(RPM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 01), 2. 0% yield, +134. 7% 10Y return). Tronox Holdings plc (TROX) carries a higher beta of 2. 37 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (RPM: +134. 7%, TROX: +116. 1%), 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 TROX and ASH and RPM and CC?
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: TROX is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ASH is a small-cap income-oriented stock; RPM is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CC is a small-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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform all of them.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.