Sherwin-Williams vs LyondellBasell Industries: Which Is the Stronger Buy Today?
LyondellBasell Industries surged 25% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out its peer Sherwin-Williams gives you more. Sherwin-Williams (SHW) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in SHW
- SHW’s quarterly revenue growth was 5.6%, vs. LYB’s -9.2%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 2.1%, ahead of LYB’s -9.7%.
- SHW leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 16.1% and 3-year average of 16.0%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how LYB’s fundamentals stack up against those of SHW on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| LYB | SHW | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 27.5 | 20.9 | SHW |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | -9.2% | 5.6% | SHW |
| Last 12 Months | -9.7% | 2.1% | SHW |
| Last 3 Year Average | -14.5% | 2.1% | SHW |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 2.8% | 16.1% | SHW |
| Last 3 Year Average | 7.0% | 16.0% | SHW |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 2.3% | 50.4% | SHW |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: LYB Revenue Comparison | SHW Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: LYB Operating Income Comparison | SHW Operating Income Comparison
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell SHW Stock and Buy or Sell LYB Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| LYB Return | 5% | -1% | 21% | -17% | -36% | 69% | 12% | ||
| SHW Return | 45% | -32% | 33% | 10% | -4% | -1% | 37% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | -3% | 77% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| LYB Win Rate | 42% | 67% | 50% | 33% | 42% | 100% | 56% | ||
| SHW Win Rate | 67% | 33% | 50% | 58% | 42% | 67% | 53% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 33% | 60% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| LYB Max Drawdown | -6% | -15% | 0% | -19% | -39% | 0% | -13% | ||
| SHW Max Drawdown | -10% | -42% | -12% | -6% | -8% | -2% | -13% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -3% | -8% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 3/16/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read SHW Dip Buyer Analyses and LYB Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about LYB or SHW? Consider a portfolio approach.
The Right Way To Invest Is Through Portfolios
Single stocks swing wildly, but staying invested matters. A well-built portfolio helps you stay invested, captures upside, and softens the blows from individual stocks.
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all three: the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? HQ Portfolio has posted more than 105% in cumulative return since inception, with less risk versus the benchmark index, as is evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.