Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio 17.3x · EV/EBITDA 6.9x · ROE 12.3%. (1997–2026 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $3.7B | $4.0B | $4.1B | $6.2B | $3.9B | $3.6B | $2.8B | $2.0B | $2.7B | $3.9B | $3.5B |
| Enterprise Value | $4.7B | $5.0B | $5.1B | $7.3B | $5.0B | $5.0B | $3.9B | $3.1B | $3.6B | $4.7B | $4.1B |
| P/E Ratio → | 17.31 | 19.13 | 12.63 | 16.63 | 8.96 | 17.65 | 11.55 | — | 16.97 | — | 14.65 |
| P/S Ratio | 0.98 | 1.07 | 1.11 | 1.56 | 1.00 | 0.84 | 0.84 | 0.78 | 0.80 | 1.19 | 1.29 |
| P/B Ratio | 2.09 | 2.27 | 2.42 | 3.92 | 2.78 | 3.52 | 2.61 | 2.51 | 2.35 | 3.03 | 2.19 |
| P/FCF | 17.14 | 18.76 | 10.54 | 13.80 | 11.15 | — | 45.92 | 11.52 | 19.45 | 55.28 | 18.13 |
| P/OCF | 8.71 | 9.54 | 6.20 | 9.00 | 6.58 | 36.35 | 11.08 | 5.41 | 7.38 | 12.94 | 10.29 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 1.34 | 1.37 | 1.84 | 1.28 | 1.15 | 1.15 | 1.18 | 1.07 | 1.45 | 1.52 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.90 | 7.50 | 6.55 | 9.59 | 7.52 | 9.26 | 6.39 | 17.28 | 7.84 | 15.40 | 8.44 |
| EV / EBIT | 9.78 | 10.51 | 7.94 | 12.02 | 9.31 | 12.67 | 8.63 | 154.61 | 11.34 | 27.47 | 12.04 |
| EV / FCF | — | 23.42 | 12.99 | 16.26 | 14.35 | — | 63.30 | 17.47 | 25.98 | 67.11 | 21.46 |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 21.6% | 21.6% | 25.3% | 24.0% | 21.3% | 20.5% | 23.4% | 19.1% | 20.5% | 24.1% | 24.0% |
| Operating Margin | 12.7% | 12.7% | 16.7% | 15.4% | 13.4% | 9.0% | 13.3% | 0.8% | 9.2% | 4.8% | 12.4% |
| Net Profit Margin | 5.7% | 5.7% | 8.9% | 9.5% | 11.3% | 4.8% | 7.3% | -9.1% | 4.7% | -3.5% | 8.9% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 12.3% | 12.3% | 20.1% | 25.4% | 36.5% | 19.7% | 26.3% | -24.4% | 13.0% | -7.8% | 16.2% |
| ROA | 5.4% | 5.4% | 8.8% | 10.4% | 12.5% | 6.1% | 8.2% | -8.2% | 5.0% | -3.4% | 7.4% |
| ROIC | 13.2% | 13.2% | 17.4% | 17.6% | 16.2% | 12.9% | 16.9% | 0.8% | 11.1% | 5.4% | 11.6% |
| ROCE | 15.7% | 15.7% | 21.3% | 21.4% | 20.2% | 17.0% | 20.6% | 0.9% | 13.0% | 6.4% | 12.7% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.84 | 0.97 | 1.48 | 1.14 | 1.48 | 0.94 | 0.78 | 0.58 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 1.87 | 1.87 | 1.57 | 1.74 | 2.03 | 2.85 | 2.03 | 6.73 | 2.34 | 3.29 | 1.88 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.70 | 0.80 | 1.28 | 0.99 | 1.29 | 0.79 | 0.65 | 0.40 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.49 | 1.49 | 1.23 | 1.45 | 1.67 | 2.47 | 1.76 | 5.88 | 1.97 | 2.71 | 1.31 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 4.66 | 2.45 | 2.45 | 3.20 | — | 17.39 | 5.95 | 6.53 | 11.83 | 3.34 |
| Interest Coverage | 6.36 | 6.36 | 8.42 | 7.53 | 6.01 | 6.98 | 9.29 | 0.38 | 5.32 | 3.17 | 6.49 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.16 | 2.16 | 1.61 | 2.08 | 1.98 | 1.65 | 1.24 | 1.85 | 2.02 | 1.46 | 1.70 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.44 | 1.44 | 1.08 | 1.36 | 1.27 | 1.05 | 0.79 | 1.17 | 1.24 | 0.92 | 1.17 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.19 | 0.15 | 0.29 | 0.28 | 0.18 | 0.38 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 0.93 | 0.97 | 1.07 | 1.09 | 1.23 | 1.03 | 0.94 | 1.11 | 1.00 | 0.82 |
| Inventory Turnover | 5.03 | 5.03 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.29 | 5.17 | 4.99 | 5.89 | 5.69 | 4.82 | 5.21 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | 78.09 | 65.96 | 66.99 | 64.53 | 70.62 | 69.06 | 58.37 | 57.97 | 71.72 | 70.80 |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.6% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 3.9% | 3.0% | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Payout Ratio | 45.5% | 45.5% | 29.0% | 24.5% | 19.8% | 40.2% | 32.0% | — | 51.0% | — | 32.0% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 5.8% | 5.2% | 7.9% | 6.0% | 11.2% | 5.7% | 8.7% | — | 5.9% | — | 6.8% |
| FCF Yield | 5.8% | 5.3% | 9.5% | 7.2% | 9.0% | — | 2.2% | 8.7% | 5.1% | 1.8% | 5.5% |
| Buyback Yield | 0.0% | 0.0% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 0.1% | 2.2% | 6.5% | 3.7% | 1.7% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 2.6% | 2.4% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 4.8% | 3.8% | 2.9% | 6.1% | 9.5% | 5.7% | 3.9% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $52M | $54M | $56M | $57M | $57M | $57M | $57M | $59M | $62M | $63M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 30 years · Updated daily
Live VCP patterns, Cup & Handle overlays, support/resistance, and AI trade plans.
High-probability breakout stocks crossing their pivot across 5 pattern engines.
DCF models, multiple analysis, and analyst estimates.
10-year return with dividends reinvested.
Compare growth, multiples, and margins vs sector.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CBT stock.
Cabot Corp.'s current P/E ratio is 17.3x. The historical average is 15.8x. This places it at the 60th percentile of its historical range.
Cabot Corp.'s current EV/EBITDA is 6.9x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 9.7x.
Cabot Corp.'s return on equity (ROE) is 12.3%. The historical average is 11.4%.
Based on historical data, Cabot Corp. is trading at a P/E of 17.3x. This is at the 60th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
Cabot Corp.'s current dividend yield is 2.62% with a payout ratio of 45.5%.
Cabot Corp. has 21.6% gross margin and 12.7% operating margin. Operating margin between 10-20% is typical for established companies.
Cabot Corp.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 1.9x, indicating moderate leverage. A ratio below 2x is generally considered financially healthy.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Cyclical volume deleveraging pressure
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Discounted Multiples Reflect Cyclical Earnings Doubt
Based on Cabot's reported figures, the trailing P/E of 11.80 and EV/EBITDA of 5.97 sit below typical specialty chemical peers, suggesting the market is pricing in a cyclical downturn in volumes rather than a structural impairment.
Compared with the peer set, Cabot trades at a lower EV/EBITDA than Innospec at 8.20 and Hawkins at 20.33, though it is comparable to AdvanSix at 5.54. The forward P/E of 11.46 sits only marginally below the trailing figure, which implies the market does not expect a sharp near-term earnings recovery. The P/FCF of 9.38 and dividend yield of 2.5% suggest the equity is priced for modest cash returns, and investors should monitor whether the multiple re-rates as reported revenue stabilizes.
Margin Compression Outpaces Revenue Decline
As reported in financial statements, Cabot's operating margin fell from roughly 15-17% in 2024 to 12.0% in the latest quarter, indicating that a 7.0% revenue decline has produced a disproportionately larger hit to operating income.
The gap between gross margin recovery to 20.2% and the lower operating margin suggests SG&A and fixed-cost absorption are weighing more heavily as volumes soften. Net margin of 6.5% in the latest quarter is well below the 10-13% seen in 2024 and early 2025, pointing to either below-the-line items or tax effects that warrant investigation. Operating margin is the more reliable gauge of underlying earning power here, since net margin has proven volatile quarter to quarter.
Leverage Easing Driven by Equity Not Debt
Based on Cabot's reported quarterly figures, debt-to-equity declined from 0.84 to 0.71 over ten quarters, while the D/EBITDA ratio of 7.28 remains elevated relative to earnings coverage.
The improvement in debt-to-equity appears to reflect a stable equity base rather than meaningful debt reduction, since total debt remained near $1.3B throughout the period. Interest coverage of 6.24 is adequate but has compressed from above 9 in 2025, suggesting debt service is becoming less comfortable as operating income softens. Investors should monitor refinancing exposure given the leverage multiple on trailing EBITDA.
Current Ratio Masks Thin Cash Position
According to recent SEC filings, Cabot's current ratio of 2.16 appears strong, yet cash of $254.0M against roughly $1.3B of debt suggests the liquidity cushion depends heavily on receivables and inventory conversion.
The quick ratio of 1.44 remains above 1.0, which indicates that liquidity does not rely solely on inventory, though the thin cash balance limits flexibility under a sharp volume shock. Working capital swings visible in the cash flow data suggest receivable and inventory timing could materially change the liquidity profile quarter to quarter. Under severe stress, the position would likely depend on credit facility access, which is not detailed in the supplied data.
Misapplied Metric: Headline EBITDA Multiple
Based on Cabot's reported figures, EV/EBITDA is frequently applied to Cabot, but it can overstate earnings power because raw material pass-throughs inflate revenue and EBITDA during oil price spikes.
Because feedstock costs are passed through to customers with a lag, EBITDA in high-oil-price periods may reflect price effects rather than volume or margin strength, making the 5.97 multiple look cheaper than the underlying economics. A more reliable approach would be to evaluate revenue less variable costs or through-cycle EBITDA normalized for feedstock. Investors should treat the headline multiple as a starting point rather than a conclusion.