VHI
Valhi, Inc.
Chemicals
Market Cap$412M
5Y Perf.+54.6%
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Stock Comparison
VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KRO
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$811M
5Y Perf.-27.8%
HUN
Huntsman Corporation
Chemicals
Market Cap$2.56B
5Y Perf.-18.8%
CC
The Chemours Company
Chemicals - Specialty
Market Cap$3.36B
5Y Perf.+70.9%
NL
NL Industries, Inc.
Security & Protection Services
Market Cap$294M
5Y Perf.+92.0%
VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | VHI | KRO | HUN | CC | NL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty | Chemicals | Chemicals - Specialty | Security & Protection Services |
| Market Cap | $412M | $811M | $2.56B | $3.36B | $294M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.10B | $1.88B | $5.69B | $5.82B | $159M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-67M | $-134M | $-324M | $-411M | $-34M |
| Gross Margin | 13.3% | 10.1% | 12.9% | 15.1% | 31.1% |
| Operating Margin | -1.4% | -3.1% | -1.0% | -0.8% | 7.8% |
| Forward P/E | 4.2x | — | — | 15.5x | 6.9x |
| Total Debt | $612M | $577M | $2.73B | $4.58B | $500K |
| Cash & Equiv. | $223M | $37M | $429M | $672M | $114M |
VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
VHI
KRO
HUN
CC
NL
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valhi, Inc. (VHI) | 100 | 154.6 | +54.6% |
| Kronos Worldwide, I… (KRO) | 100 | 72.2 | -27.8% |
| Huntsman Corporation (HUN) | 100 | 81.2 | -18.8% |
| The Chemours Company (CC) | 100 | 170.9 | +70.9% |
| NL Industries, Inc. (NL) | 100 | 192.0 | +92.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: VHI and NL are tied at the top with 3 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. NL Industries, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. CC also leads in specific categories worth noting. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
VHI
Valhi, Inc.
The Value Play
VHI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (4.2x vs 6.9x)
- -3.2% margin vs NL's -21.5%
- -3.3% ROA vs KRO's -9.4%, ROIC -0.0% vs -1.9%
Best for: value and quality
KRO
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
The Income Angle
KRO lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: portfolio exposure
HUN
Huntsman Corporation
The Income Angle
Among these 5 stocks, HUN doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: basic materials exposure
CC
The Chemours Company
The Momentum Pick
CC ranks third and is worth considering specifically for momentum.
- +108.8% vs NL's -27.3%
Best for: momentum
NL
NL Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
NL is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and growth exposure is your priority.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.87, yield 9.5%
- Rev growth 8.5%, EPS growth -155.8%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.7%
- 226.1% 10Y total return vs CC's 219.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.87, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 7.77x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NL | 8.5% revenue growth vs HUN's -5.8% |
| Value | VHI | Lower P/E (4.2x vs 6.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | VHI | -3.2% margin vs NL's -21.5% |
| Stability / Safety | NL | Beta 0.87 vs CC's 1.92, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NL | 9.5% yield, vs VHI's 2.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CC | +108.8% vs NL's -27.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | VHI | -3.3% ROA vs KRO's -9.4%, ROIC -0.0% vs -1.9% |
VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2014
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNLLAGGINGCC
Who Leads Where
NL leads in 4 of 6 categories
VHI leads 1 • KRO leads 0 • HUN leads 0 • CC leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓CCThe Chemours Company
0leads
HUNHuntsman Corporation
0leads
KROKronos Worldwide, Inc.
0leads
VHIValhi, Inc.
1leads
NLNL Industries, Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs VHIvs KROMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NL3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
VHI3/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NL5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NL4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
NL1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NL leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CC is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.8B annually — 36.7x NL's $159M. VHI is the more profitable business, keeping -3.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NL's -21.5%. On growth, VHI holds the edge at +4.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | VHIValhi, Inc. | KROKronos Worldwide,… | HUNHuntsman Corporat… | CCThe Chemours Comp… | NLNL Industries, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.1B | $1.9B | $5.7B | $5.8B | $159M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $21M | -$9M | $160M | -$132M | $15M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$67M | -$134M | -$324M | -$411M | -$34M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $30M | $35M | $135M | $198M | $4M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +13.3% | +10.1% | +12.9% | +15.1% | +31.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -1.4% | -3.1% | -1.0% | -0.8% | +7.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.2% | -7.1% | -5.7% | -7.1% | -21.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.4% | +1.9% | +2.4% | +3.4% | +2.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.8% | +4.1% | +0.7% | +1.0% | +0.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -88.1% | -126.1% | -3.3% | -6.1% | +8.0% |
NL leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
VHI leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, NL's 10.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KRO's 40.7x.
| Metric | VHIValhi, Inc. | KROKronos Worldwide,… | HUNHuntsman Corporat… | CCThe Chemours Comp… | NLNL Industries, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $412M | $811M | $2.6B | $3.4B | $294M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $801M | $1.4B | $4.9B | $7.3B | $180M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -7.20x | -7.34x | -9.27x | -8.75x | -7.81x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 4.19x | — | — | 15.55x | 6.91x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.24x | 40.71x | 19.64x | 21.72x | 10.47x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.20x | 0.44x | 0.45x | 0.58x | 1.86x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.30x | 1.08x | 0.86x | 13.44x | 0.78x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 22.11x | 65.93x | — |
VHI leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NL leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
VHI delivers a -4.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-5 in annual profit, vs $-163 for CC. NL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CC's 18.27x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KRO scores 5/9 vs HUN's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | VHIValhi, Inc. | KROKronos Worldwide,… | HUNHuntsman Corporat… | CCThe Chemours Comp… | NLNL Industries, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -4.8% | -17.0% | -8.1% | -163.4% | -8.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -3.3% | -9.4% | -4.6% | -5.5% | -9.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.0% | -1.9% | -0.6% | -0.1% | +3.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.0% | -2.2% | -0.7% | -0.1% | +2.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.45x | 0.77x | 0.92x | 18.27x | 0.00x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $389M | $540M | $2.3B | $3.9B | -$113M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $223M | $37M | $429M | $672M | $114M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $612M | $577M | $2.7B | $4.6B | $500,000 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -0.39x | -2.32x | -1.08x | 1.15x | -19.20x |
NL leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NL five years ago would be worth $11,983 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,348 for VHI. Over the past 12 months, CC leads with a +108.8% total return vs NL's -27.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NL at 9.7% vs HUN's -12.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | VHIValhi, Inc. | KROKronos Worldwide,… | HUNHuntsman Corporat… | CCThe Chemours Comp… | NLNL Industries, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +20.3% | +58.5% | +45.5% | +83.6% | +11.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -16.0% | -1.2% | +37.5% | +108.8% | -27.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +7.3% | -0.7% | -33.3% | -15.7% | +32.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -46.5% | -43.9% | -39.8% | -22.7% | +19.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -2.7% | +129.0% | +57.6% | +219.7% | +226.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +2.4% | -0.2% | -12.6% | -5.5% | +9.7% |
NL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HUN and NL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NL is the less volatile stock with a 0.87 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CC's 1.92 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HUN currently trades 92.7% from its 52-week high vs NL's 64.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | VHIValhi, Inc. | KROKronos Worldwide,… | HUNHuntsman Corporat… | CCThe Chemours Comp… | NLNL Industries, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.06x | 1.57x | 1.73x | 1.92x | 0.87x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.00 | $7.90 | $15.89 | $28.67 | $9.27 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.44 | $4.08 | $7.30 | $9.13 | $5.04 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +72.8% | +89.2% | +92.7% | +78.1% | +64.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.0 | 63.4 | 65.4 | 48.1 | 51.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 15K | 350K | 6.2M | 3.1M | 37K |
Evenly matched — HUN and NL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
NL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VHI as "Sell", KRO as "Hold", HUN as "Hold", CC as "Hold", NL as "Sell". Consensus price targets imply -0.2% upside for NL (target: $6) vs -29.1% for KRO (target: $5). For income investors, NL offers the higher dividend yield at 9.48% vs VHI's 2.19%.
| Metric | VHIValhi, Inc. | KROKronos Worldwide,… | HUNHuntsman Corporat… | CCThe Chemours Comp… | NLNL Industries, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Sell | Hold | Hold | Hold | Sell |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $5.00 | $12.00 | $22.14 | $6.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 7 | 33 | 20 | 1 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.2% | +2.8% | +5.7% | +2.3% | +9.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.32 | $0.20 | $0.85 | $0.52 | $0.57 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | +0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
NL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
NL leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). VHI leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallNL Industries, Inc. (NL)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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VHI vs KRO vs HUN vs CC vs NL: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is the stronger pick with 8. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 8% for Huntsman Corporation (HUN). Analysts rate Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (KRO) a "Hold" — based on 7 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 — VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL?
Over the past 5 years, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) delivered a total return of +19. 8%, compared to -46. 5% for Valhi, Inc. (VHI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NL returned +226. 1% versus VHI's -2. 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 — VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus The Chemours Company's 1. 92β — meaning CC is approximately 120% more volatile than NL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NL Industries, Inc. (NL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 18% for The Chemours Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is pulling ahead at 8. 5% versus -5. 8% for Huntsman Corporation (HUN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Huntsman Corporation grew EPS -44. 5% year-over-year, compared to -549. 1% for The Chemours Company. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL?
Valhi, Inc.
(VHI) is the more profitable company, earning -2. 8% net margin versus -23. 9% for NL Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps -2. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NL leads at 8. 6% versus -1. 7% for KRO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NL leads at 30. 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.
06Is VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Valhi, Inc.
(VHI) trades at 4. 2x forward P/E versus 15. 5x for The Chemours Company — 11. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NL: -0. 2% to $6. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
NL Industries, Inc. (NL) offers the highest yield at 9. 5%, versus 2. 2% for Valhi, Inc. (VHI).
08Is VHI or KRO or HUN or CC or NL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NL Industries, Inc.
(NL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 9. 5% yield, +226. 1% 10Y return). The Chemours Company (CC) carries a higher beta of 1. 92 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NL: +226. 1%, CC: +219. 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 VHI and KRO and HUN and CC and NL?
These companies operate in different sectors (VHI (Basic Materials) and KRO (Unknown) and HUN (Basic Materials) and CC (Basic Materials) and NL (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: VHI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; KRO is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HUN is a small-cap income-oriented stock; CC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NL is a small-cap income-oriented 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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