SCL vs. MO
SCL (Stepan Company) and MO (Altria Group, Inc.) are both stocks. SCL operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials), while MO operates in Tobacco (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, SCL returned 0.29%/yr vs 7.78%/yr for MO. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
SCL vs. MO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCL achieves a 10.65% return, which is significantly lower than MO's 23.96% return. Over the past 10 years, SCL has underperformed MO with an annualized return of 0.29%, while MO has yielded a comparatively higher 7.78% annualized return.
SCL
- 1D
- -1.26%
- 1M
- 2.38%
- YTD
- 10.65%
- 6M
- 14.17%
- 1Y
- -2.14%
- 3Y*
- -17.26%
- 5Y*
- -15.69%
- 10Y*
- 0.29%
MO
- 1D
- 1.53%
- 1M
- -4.24%
- YTD
- 23.96%
- 6M
- 24.61%
- 1Y
- 24.64%
- 3Y*
- 25.16%
- 5Y*
- 15.82%
- 10Y*
- 7.78%
SCL vs. MO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCL Stepan Company | 10.65% | -24.60% | -30.29% | -9.74% | -12.91% | 5.24% | 17.75% | 39.96% | -5.21% | -2.06% |
MO Altria Group, Inc. | 23.96% | 18.17% | 40.76% | -3.70% | 4.37% | 24.18% | -10.21% | 7.87% | -27.14% | 9.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCL and MO is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 1992 | 0.18 |
The correlation between SCL and MO shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.24 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
SCL:
$1.18B
MO:
$117.61B
SCL:
-$0.62
MO:
$4.79
SCL:
0.50
MO:
5.41
SCL:
$2.34B
MO:
$21.82B
SCL:
$259.28M
MO:
$14.80B
SCL:
$96.49M
MO:
$11.70B
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Return for Risk
SCL vs. MO — Risk / Return Rank
SCL
MO
SCL vs. MO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Stepan Company (SCL) and Altria Group, Inc. (MO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| SCL | MO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.03 | 1.22 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.07 | 1.51 | -1.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 3.82 | -3.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SCL | MO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.06 | 1.10 | -1.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.52 | 0.77 | -1.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.01 | 0.34 | -0.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.25 | 0.69 | -0.44 |
Drawdowns
SCL vs. MO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCL drawdown since its inception was -66.78%, roughly equal to the maximum MO drawdown of -65.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCL and MO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCL | MO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.78% | -65.43% | -1.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.78% | -16.40% | -16.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -55.77% | -16.40% | -39.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -65.91% | -25.83% | -40.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.78% | -53.69% | -13.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -58.49% | -5.70% | -52.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.98% | -11.93% | -5.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.22% | 6.48% | +12.74% |
Volatility
SCL vs. MO - Volatility Comparison
Stepan Company (SCL) and Altria Group, Inc. (MO) have volatilities of 7.49% and 7.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SCL | MO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.49% | 7.41% | +0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 30.91% | 17.18% | +13.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 36.48% | 22.42% | +14.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.30% | 20.63% | +9.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.60% | 22.94% | +8.66% |
Dividends
SCL vs. MO - Dividend Comparison
SCL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, less than MO's 5.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MO Altria Group, Inc. | 5.97% | 7.21% | 7.65% | 9.52% | 8.05% | 7.43% | 8.29% | 6.57% | 6.07% | 3.56% | 3.48% | 3.73% |
SCL Stepan Company | 3.04% | 3.27% | 2.33% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.01% | 0.95% | 1.00% | 1.25% | 1.06% | 0.95% | 1.47% |
Financials
SCL vs. MO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Stepan Company and Altria Group, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
SCL vs. MO - Profitability Comparison
SCL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported a gross profit of 64.85M and revenue of 604.51M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 10.7%.
MO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Altria Group, Inc. reported a gross profit of 3.51B and revenue of 5.43B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 64.6%.
SCL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported an operating income of -49.62M and revenue of 604.51M, resulting in an operating margin of -8.2%.
MO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Altria Group, Inc. reported an operating income of 2.96B and revenue of 5.43B, resulting in an operating margin of 54.5%.
SCL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported a net income of -41.41M and revenue of 604.51M, resulting in a net margin of -6.9%.
MO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Altria Group, Inc. reported a net income of 2.18B and revenue of 5.43B, resulting in a net margin of 40.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
SCL and MO have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SCL has higher volatility (7.49%) compared to MO (7.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCL dropped -66.78% vs MO's -65.43%.
MO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.10 vs -0.06), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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