Albemarle Corporation (ALB) vs International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF)

IFF leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Albemarle Corporation and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ALB vs IFF

growth of $100 · last 30y
ALB +1235.7%IFF +56.4%ALB compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,336$156
ALB IFF

ALB vs IFF: by the numbers

  • IFF is the larger company ($19.17B vs $16.63B market cap).
  • IFF is profitable (7.90% net margin) while ALB runs a net loss (-4.24%).
  • IFF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 11.29% CAGR).
  • IFF pays the higher dividend yield (2.13% vs 1.15%).

Which is better, ALB or IFF?

Metric tally: ALB 5 · IFF 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthIFF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIFF(higher dividend yield)
QualityIFF(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricALBIFF
P/E ratio22.96
Forward P/E11.2616.92
P/S ratio3.041.79
P/B ratio1.701.37
PEG ratio0.18
EV / EBITDA23.4512.31
FCF yield3.45%2.06%

Profitability

MetricALBIFF
Gross margin18.53%36.35%
Operating margin5.55%7.56%
Net margin-4.24%7.90%
ROE-2.36%6.03%
ROIC0.64%3.19%

Dividends

MetricALBIFF
Dividend yield1.15%2.13%

Growth (annualized)

MetricALBIFF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.29%11.71%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.95%-25.13%
FCF CAGR (5Y)92.70%-13.45%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.13%-10.44%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ALB or IFF?
It depends on your goal. growth: IFF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IFF (higher dividend yield); quality: IFF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IFF leads 10 to 5.
Which has grown faster, ALB or IFF?
Over the past five years, IFF grew revenue faster — ALB at a 11.29% CAGR versus IFF at 11.71%.
Does ALB or IFF pay a bigger dividend?
ALB yields 1.15% and IFF yields 2.13% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ALB or IFF more profitable?
IFF runs the higher net margin — ALB at -4.24% versus IFF at 7.90%.
Which has been the better investment, ALB or IFF?
Over the past 10-year, ALB delivered the higher annualized total return — ALB at 7.40% versus IFF at -2.39%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 26, 2026.