WLK vs. IFF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WLK (Westlake Corporation) and IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Specialty Chemicals industry within the Basic Materials sector. Over the past 10 years, WLK returned 8.45%/yr vs -4.12%/yr for IFF. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WLK vs. IFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Westlake Corporation (WLK) and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WLK achieves a 18.73% return, which is significantly higher than IFF's 9.32% return. Over the past 10 years, WLK has outperformed IFF with an annualized return of 8.45%, while IFF has yielded a comparatively lower -4.12% annualized return.

WLK

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -24.04%
• YTD: 18.73%
• 6M: 31.81%
• 1Y: 27.64%
• 3Y*: -6.60%
• 5Y*: -2.14%
• 10Y*: 8.45%

IFF

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 6M: 8.15%
• 1Y: -0.91%
• 3Y*: -0.35%
• 5Y*: -10.11%
• 10Y*: -4.12%

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

WLK vs. IFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WLK Westlake Corporation	18.73%	-33.77%	-16.90%	38.23%	6.81%	20.53%	18.52%	7.72%	-37.27%	92.39%
IFF International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.	9.32%	-18.43%	6.26%	-19.47%	-28.35%	41.55%	-15.64%	-3.91%	-12.02%	29.52%

Correlation

The correlation between WLK and IFF is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2004	0.48

The correlation between WLK and IFF shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (1 year) to 0.48 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS WLK : -$12.75 IFF : $4.35
PS Ratio WLK : 1.02 IFF : 1.31
Total Revenue (TTM) WLK : $10.98B IFF : $10.79B
Gross Profit (TTM) WLK : $169.00M IFF : $3.79B
EBITDA (TTM) WLK : -$659.00M IFF : $1.77B

Return for Risk

WLK vs. IFF — Risk / Return Rank

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

WLK

WLK Risk / Return Rank: 57
WLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
WLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
WLK Omega Ratio Rank: 53
WLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
WLK Martin Ratio Rank: 58

IFF

IFF Risk / Return Rank: 36
IFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
IFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
IFF Omega Ratio Rank: 34
IFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IFF Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

WLK vs. IFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Westlake Corporation (WLK) and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). 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.

	WLK	IFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	-0.03	+0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	0.22	+0.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.03	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	-0.08	+0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.77	-0.15	+1.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WLK vs. IFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WLK Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is higher than the IFF Sharpe Ratio of -0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WLK and IFF, 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

	WLK	IFF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59	-0.03	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	-0.32	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	-0.14	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.12	+0.21

Drawdowns

WLK vs. IFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WLK drawdown since its inception was -75.16%, smaller than the maximum IFF drawdown of -87.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WLK and IFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WLK	IFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.16%	-87.25%	+12.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.77%	-24.03%	-13.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-64.20%	-42.63%	-21.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.20%	-57.42%	-6.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.16%	-57.42%	-17.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-43.77%	-46.85%	+3.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.20%	-37.28%	+11.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.42%	13.51%	+0.91%

Volatility

WLK vs. IFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Westlake Corporation (WLK) is 13.02%, while International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) has a volatility of 19.59%. This indicates that WLK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WLK	IFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.02%	19.59%	-6.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.02%	27.61%	+5.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.19%	33.73%	+13.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.98%	31.69%	+5.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.38%	30.36%	+9.02%

Dividends

WLK vs. IFF - Dividend Comparison

WLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, more than IFF's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFF International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.	2.18%	2.37%	1.89%	4.00%	3.05%	2.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WLK Westlake Corporation	2.44%	2.85%	1.79%	1.12%	1.28%	1.17%	1.31%	1.46%	1.39%	0.75%	1.33%	1.28%

Financials

WLK vs. IFF - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Westlake Corporation and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

WLK - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Westlake Corporation reported a gross profit of 112.00M and revenue of 2.65B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 4.2%.

IFF - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.02B and revenue of 2.74B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 37.1%.

WLK - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Westlake Corporation reported an operating income of -172.00M and revenue of 2.65B, resulting in an operating margin of -6.5%.

IFF - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. reported an operating income of 273.00M and revenue of 2.74B, resulting in an operating margin of 10.0%.

WLK - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Westlake Corporation reported a net income of -169.00M and revenue of 2.65B, resulting in a net margin of -6.4%.

IFF - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. reported a net income of 169.00M and revenue of 2.74B, resulting in a net margin of 6.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WLK and IFF in my portfolio?

WLK and IFF have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WLK or IFF?

IFF has higher volatility (19.59%) compared to WLK (13.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WLK dropped -75.16% vs IFF's -87.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.59 vs -0.03), 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.