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

APD leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.

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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — APD vs SHW

growth of $100 · last 30y
APD +950.4%SHW +4300.8%SHW compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,050$4,401
APD SHW

APD vs SHW: by the numbers

  • SHW is the larger company ($78.26B vs $62.71B market cap).
  • APD trades at the lower earnings multiple (29.79 vs 30.45 P/E).
  • 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 (2.55% vs 1.00%).

Which is better, APD or SHW?

Metric tally: APD 11 · SHW 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAPD(lower P/E)
GrowthAPD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAPD(higher dividend yield)
QualitySHW(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAPDSHW
P/E ratio29.7930.45
Forward P/E19.7127.07
P/S ratio5.043.29
P/B ratio4.0117.77
PEG ratio1.404.52
EV / EBITDA17.6620.64
FCF yield1.76%3.69%

Profitability

MetricAPDSHW
Gross margin31.98%49.12%
Operating margin18.41%16.13%
Net margin16.91%10.86%
ROE13.47%58.66%
ROIC-1.82%15.21%

Dividends

MetricAPDSHW
Dividend yield2.55%1.00%
Payout ratio30.64%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDSHW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.12%4.87%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.58%6.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.54%-2.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.21%3.70%

Frequently asked

Which is better, APD or SHW?
It depends on your goal. value: APD (lower P/E); growth: APD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: APD (higher dividend yield); quality: SHW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, APD leads 11 to 6.
Is APD or SHW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, APD is cheaper: APD trades at a 29.79 P/E and SHW at 30.45.
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 2.55% and SHW yields 1.00% 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%.
Which has been the better investment, APD or SHW?
Over the past 10-year, SHW delivered the higher annualized total return — APD at 10.26% versus SHW at 13.58%. 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 13, 2026.