International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $67.1 | Market Cap: $17.2 BilSector: Materials | Industry: Specialty Chemicals
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $67.1Market Cap: $17.2 BilSector: MaterialsIndustry: Specialty Chemicals
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Health & Wellness Trends, and Vegan & Alternative Foods. Themes include Nutritional Supplements, Functional Foods & Beverages, Show more. |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Health & Wellness Trends, and Vegan & Alternative Foods. Themes include Nutritional Supplements, Functional Foods & Beverages, Show more. |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
IFF Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
The following are key points influencing International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) stock performance during the approximate time period from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025:
1. IFF's Q3 2025 Earnings Surpassed Analyst Expectations. The company reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.05, exceeding the forecast of $1.02 per share, and revenue reached $2.69 billion against an anticipated $2.63 billion. This positive earnings surprise was a significant factor influencing the stock.
2. Strong Adjusted Operating EBITDA Growth Demonstrated Operational Efficiency. Despite an 8% decrease in reported net sales year-over-year, IFF achieved a 7% increase in adjusted operating EBITDA on a comparable currency-neutral basis, totaling $519 million. This growth showcased the effectiveness of the company's cost management and productivity initiatives in a challenging market.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| IFF Return | -13% | 42% | -28% | -19% | 6% | -18% | -38% |
| Peers Return | 1% | 30% | -26% | -6% | -4% | 10% | -4% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| IFF Win Rate | 42% | 75% | 42% | 58% | 42% | 30% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 37% | 48% | 33% | 37% | 42% | 42% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| IFF Max Drawdown | -27% | -3% | -42% | -39% | -10% | -28% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -33% | -5% | -33% | -31% | -18% | -20% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: EL, SBH, UG, VRDE, SHW. See IFF Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | IFF | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -59.9% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 149.6% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -33.9% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 51.3% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 389 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -32.1% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 47.3% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -54.1% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 117.7% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 742 days | 1480 days |
Compare to EL, SBH, UG, VRDE, SHW
In The Past
International Flavors & Fragrances's stock fell -59.9% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 8/11/2021. A -59.9% loss requires a 149.6% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to IFF. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | DD | DuPont de Nemours | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 3.1% | 3.1% | -0.2% |
| 11212025 | CF | CF Industries | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 0.5% | 0.5% | -1.1% |
| 11212025 | HL | Hecla Mining | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 30.9% | 30.9% | 0.0% |
| 11072025 | CDE | Coeur Mining | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 12.7% | 12.7% | -5.7% |
| 10312025 | ATR | AptarGroup | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | -2.5% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | DD | DuPont de Nemours | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | 3.1% | 3.1% | -0.2% |
| 11212025 | CF | CF Industries | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 0.5% | 0.5% | -1.1% |
| 11212025 | HL | Hecla Mining | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 30.9% | 30.9% | 0.0% |
| 11072025 | CDE | Coeur Mining | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 12.7% | 12.7% | -5.7% |
| 10312025 | ATR | AptarGroup | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | -2.5% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for International Flavors & Fragrances
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
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Growth & Margins
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Valuation
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Returns
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Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nourish | 6,060 | 6,829 | 6,264 | 2,886 | 3,201 |
| Scent | 2,393 | 2,301 | 2,254 | 2,064 | 1,940 |
| Health & Biosciences | 2,081 | 2,339 | 2,329 | 134 | |
| Pharma Solutions | 945 | 971 | 809 | ||
| Total | 11,479 | 12,440 | 11,656 | 5,084 | 5,140 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nourish | 732 | 1,176 | 1,172 | 599 | 482 |
| Health & Biosciences | 588 | 634 | 625 | 40 | |
| Scent | 461 | 423 | 463 | 416 | 349 |
| Pharma Solutions | 199 | 222 | 165 | 0 | |
| Other | -2 | -11 | |||
| Strategic Initiative Costs | -31 | -8 | |||
| Regulatory Costs | -50 | 0 | |||
| Restructuring and Other Charges | -68 | -12 | -41 | -17 | -30 |
| Divestiture and Integration Costs | -174 | -201 | |||
| Depreciation & Amortization | -1,142 | -1,179 | -1,156 | -325 | |
| Impairment of Goodwill | -2,623 | -2,250 | |||
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | -120 | ||||
| N&B (Nutrition & Biosciences, Inc.) Inventory Step-Up Costs | 0 | -368 | |||
| Business Divestiture Costs | -42 | ||||
| Employee Separation Costs | -29 | -3 | |||
| Frutarom Acquisition Related Costs | -2 | -1 | -6 | ||
| Gains (Losses) on Sale of Fixed Assets | 1 | -4 | |||
| Integration Related Costs | -105 | ||||
| N&B (Nutrition & Biosciences, Inc.) Transaction Related Costs | -91 | -29 | -21 | ||
| Shareholder Activism Related Costs | -7 | ||||
| Compliance Review & Legal Defense Costs | -3 | -11 | |||
| Frutarom Integration Related Costs | -10 | -55 | |||
| N&B (Nutrition & Biosciences, Inc.) Integration Related Costs | -97 | ||||
| (Losses) gains on Sale of Assets | -2 | ||||
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Mandated Product Recall | -0 | ||||
| Global expenses | -39 | ||||
| Operational improvement initiative costs | -2 | ||||
| Total | -2,110 | -1,326 | 585 | 566 | 665 |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 11042025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 8052025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5062025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2282025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11052024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8062024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5062024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2282024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11082023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8092023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5102023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2272023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11072022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8082022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5092022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2282022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
External Quote Links
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