Century Aluminum Company (CENX) vs Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (KALU)
A side-by-side comparison of Century Aluminum Company and Kaiser Aluminum Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CENX
Century Aluminum Company
$37.05Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 3:25 PM EDT
KALU
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation
$153.80Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 3:25 PM EDT
Total return — CENX vs KALU
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCENX +427.0% (+18.1%/yr)KALU +163.3% (+10.2%/yr)CENX compounded faster over this window
CENX KALU
CENX vs KALU: by the numbers
- •CENX is the larger company ($3.67B vs $2.51B market cap).
- •CENX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (6.41 vs 11.40 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CENX converts more revenue to profit (22.63% vs 5.49% net margin).
- •KALU grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.03% vs 8.75% CAGR).
- •KALU pays a dividend (1.98% yield), while CENX is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CENX | KALU |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 6.41 | 11.40 |
| Forward P/E | 3.70 | 10.93 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 0.38 |
| P/S ratio | 1.37 | 0.61 |
| P/B ratio | 2.61 | 2.66 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.81 | 7.60 |
| FCF yield | 4.12% | 3.46% |
Profitability
| Metric | CENX | KALU |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 10.14% | 11.55% |
| Operating margin | 6.25% | 8.24% |
| Net margin | 22.63% | 5.49% |
| ROE | 43.01% | 24.05% |
| ROIC | 16.66% | 11.37% |
Dividends
| Metric | CENX | KALU |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 1.98% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 22.83% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CENX | KALU |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.75% | 21.03% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 30.77% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 20.37% | 10.44% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENX or KALU?
- CENX has the lower trailing P/E: CENX trades at 6.41 and KALU at 11.40. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CENX or KALU?
- Over the past five years, KALU grew revenue faster — CENX at a 8.75% CAGR versus KALU at 21.03%.
- Does CENX or KALU pay a bigger dividend?
- KALU pays a dividend (1.98% yield), while CENX is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is CENX or KALU more profitable?
- CENX runs the higher net margin — CENX at 22.63% versus KALU at 5.49%.
- How have CENX and KALU total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CENX delivered 17.80% and KALU delivered 9.72% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Century Aluminum P/E ratioKaiser Aluminum P/E ratioKaiser Aluminum dividend yieldCentury Aluminum ROEKaiser Aluminum ROECentury Aluminum operating marginKaiser Aluminum operating marginCentury Aluminum revenue growthKaiser Aluminum revenue growthCentury Aluminum free cash flowKaiser Aluminum free cash flow
Century Aluminum & Kaiser Aluminum appear in these rankings
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 October 6, 2026.