SW vs. ALB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SW (Smurfit WestRock PLC) and ALB (Albemarle Corporation) are both stocks. SW operates in Packaging & Containers (Consumer Cyclical), while ALB operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials). Over the past year, SW returned 2.65% vs 200.47% for ALB. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SW vs. ALB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Smurfit WestRock PLC (SW) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SW achieves a 11.14% return, which is significantly lower than ALB's 19.31% return.

SW

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 12.20%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 18.99%
• 1Y: 2.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ALB

• 1D: -2.00%
• 1M: -11.72%
• YTD: 19.31%
• 6M: 33.82%
• 1Y: 200.47%
• 3Y*: -5.45%
• 5Y*: 0.58%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SW vs. ALB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SW Smurfit WestRock PLC	11.14%	-25.31%	18.10%
ALB Albemarle Corporation	19.31%	67.72%	-12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SW and ALB is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2024	0.27

The correlation between SW and ALB shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (1 year) to 0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS SW : $0.93 ALB : -$2.33
PS Ratio SW : 0.58 ALB : 3.61
Total Revenue (TTM) SW : $28.91B ALB : $5.49B
Gross Profit (TTM) SW : $5.30B ALB : $1.02B
EBITDA (TTM) SW : $3.32B ALB : $801.97M

Return for Risk

SW vs. ALB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SW

SW Risk / Return Rank: 41
SW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
SW Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SW Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SW Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SW Martin Ratio Rank: 42

ALB

ALB Risk / Return Rank: 93
ALB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ALB Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
ALB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ALB Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
ALB Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SW vs. ALB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Smurfit WestRock PLC (SW) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB). 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.

	SW	ALB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.07	3.28	-3.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.39	3.26	-2.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.42	-0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.08	9.20	-9.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.16	21.20	-21.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SW vs. ALB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SW Sharpe Ratio is 0.07, which is lower than the ALB Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SW and ALB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SW	ALB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07	3.28	-3.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.01	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.03	0.30	-0.33

Drawdowns

SW vs. ALB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SW drawdown since its inception was -39.78%, smaller than the maximum ALB drawdown of -83.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SW and ALB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SW	ALB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.78%	-83.90%	+44.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.37%	-21.93%	-9.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-78.60%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-83.90%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-83.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.07%	-45.68%	+24.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.32%	-20.66%	+3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.68%	9.50%	+7.18%

Volatility

SW vs. ALB - Volatility Comparison

Smurfit WestRock PLC (SW) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB) have volatilities of 12.41% and 11.91%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	SW	ALB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.41%	11.91%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.22%	41.34%	-10.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.37%	61.57%	-21.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.47%	54.38%	-13.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.47%	48.17%	-7.70%

Dividends

SW vs. ALB - Dividend Comparison

SW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, more than ALB's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALB Albemarle Corporation	0.96%	1.15%	1.87%	1.11%	0.73%	0.67%	1.04%	2.01%	1.74%	1.00%	1.42%	2.07%
SW Smurfit WestRock PLC	4.19%	4.46%	1.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

SW vs. ALB - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Smurfit WestRock PLC and Albemarle Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

SW - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Smurfit WestRock PLC reported a gross profit of 1.27B and revenue of 7.71B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 16.4%.

ALB - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Albemarle Corporation reported a gross profit of 500.97M and revenue of 1.43B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 35.1%.

SW - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Smurfit WestRock PLC reported an operating income of 253.00M and revenue of 7.71B, resulting in an operating margin of 3.3%.

ALB - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Albemarle Corporation reported an operating income of 233.51M and revenue of 1.43B, resulting in an operating margin of 16.3%.

SW - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Smurfit WestRock PLC reported a net income of 65.00M and revenue of 7.71B, resulting in a net margin of 0.8%.

ALB - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Albemarle Corporation reported a net income of 277.40M and revenue of 1.43B, resulting in a net margin of 19.4%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SW and ALB in my portfolio?

SW and ALB have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SW or ALB?

SW has higher volatility (12.41%) compared to ALB (11.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SW dropped -39.78% vs ALB's -83.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 0.07), 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.