Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW)

A side-by-side comparison of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and The Sherwin-Williams Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAPD vs SHW

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
APD +2318.5%SHW +6954.1%SHW compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,419$7,054
APD SHW

APD vs SHW: by the numbers

  • SHW is the larger company ($87.38B vs $65.21B market cap).
  • APD trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (30.95 vs 31.41 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • APD converts more revenue to profit (16.91% vs 10.86% net margin).
  • APD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.12% vs 4.87% CAGR).
  • APD pays the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 0.97%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPDSHW
P/E ratio30.9531.41
Forward P/E22.1227.83
P/S ratio5.233.39
P/B ratio4.1718.32
PEG ratio1.404.66
EV / EBITDA21.4421.17
FCF yield1.70%3.58%

Profitability

MetricAPDSHW
Gross margin31.98%49.12%
Operating margin-7.29%16.13%
Net margin16.91%10.86%
ROE13.47%58.66%
ROIC-1.82%15.21%

Dividends

MetricAPDSHW
Dividend yield2.45%0.97%
Payout ratioN/A30.64%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDSHW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.12%4.87%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A6.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A-2.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.80%3.54%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, APD or SHW?
APD has the lower trailing P/E: APD trades at 30.95 and SHW at 31.41. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, APD or SHW?
Over the past five years, APD grew revenue faster — APD at a 6.12% CAGR versus SHW at 4.87%.
Does APD or SHW pay a bigger dividend?
APD yields 2.45% and SHW yields 0.97% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is APD or SHW more profitable?
APD runs the higher net margin — APD at 16.91% versus SHW at 10.86%.
How have APD and SHW total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, APD delivered 10.49% and SHW delivered 13.93% annualized total return. 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 28, 2026.