Albemarle Corporation (ALB) vs RPM International Inc. (RPM)

RPM leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Albemarle Corporation and RPM International Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 4, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ALB vs RPM

growth of $100 · last 30y
ALB +1307.7%RPM +793.0%ALB compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,408$893
ALB RPM

ALB vs RPM: by the numbers

  • ALB is the larger company ($15.99B vs $14.25B market cap).
  • RPM is profitable (8.63% net margin) while ALB runs a net loss (-4.24%).
  • ALB grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.29% vs 5.79% CAGR).
  • RPM pays the higher dividend yield (1.94% vs 1.20%).

Which is better, ALB or RPM?

Metric tally: ALB 4 · RPM 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthALB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRPM(higher dividend yield)
QualityRPM(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricALBRPM
P/E ratio21.51
Forward P/E10.9620.30
P/S ratio2.931.85
P/B ratio1.634.53
PEG ratio1.21
EV / EBITDA17.5814.86
FCF yield3.59%4.04%

Profitability

MetricALBRPM
Gross margin18.53%41.36%
Operating margin5.55%11.99%
Net margin-4.24%8.63%
ROE-2.36%21.16%
ROIC0.64%12.50%

Dividends

MetricALBRPM
Dividend yield1.20%1.94%
Payout ratio40.15%

Growth (annualized)

MetricALBRPM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.29%5.79%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.95%18.02%
FCF CAGR (5Y)92.70%-3.15%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.35%6.28%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ALB or RPM?
It depends on your goal. growth: ALB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RPM (higher dividend yield); quality: RPM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RPM leads 11 to 4.
Which has grown faster, ALB or RPM?
Over the past five years, ALB grew revenue faster — ALB at a 11.29% CAGR versus RPM at 5.79%.
Does ALB or RPM pay a bigger dividend?
ALB yields 1.20% and RPM yields 1.94% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ALB or RPM more profitable?
RPM runs the higher net margin — ALB at -4.24% versus RPM at 8.63%.
Which has been the better investment, ALB or RPM?
Over the past 10-year, RPM delivered the higher annualized total return — ALB at 6.67% versus RPM at 10.49%. 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 July 4, 2026.