A O Smith Corp vs Avient Corporation — how do they compare? A O Smith Corp trades at $63.65 (market cap $8.65B), while Avient Corporation trades at $45.2 (market cap $4.17B). The key difference: A O Smith Corp is far larger — about 2.1× Avient Corporation's market cap, and Avient Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.42%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AOS | AVNT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.65B | $4.17B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $80.47 | $45.69 |
52-Week Low | $55.78 | $27.48 |
Enterprise Value | $9.15B | $5.62B |
Dividend Yield | 2.26% | 2.42% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
A.O. Smith Corporation (AOS) trades at $62.53, showing modest daily gains of 0.19%. The stock maintains strong profitability with 13.15% net margins and 27.13% ROE, though recent Q1 2026 earnings missed expectations. Technical indicators suggest a bullish trend with the current price near key support at $62. Recent leadership transition with Kevin Wheeler's retirement and Stephen Shafer assuming chairman role adds management continuity.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic with a $67.25 consensus price target offering 7.5% upside potential. Strong North American performance and dividend growth provide support, but higher input costs and weaker China demand present headwinds. The stock's valuation appears reasonable at 17.74 P/E, though recent Zacks Strong Sell ratings warrant monitoring.
AVNT trades at $45.33, down 0.7% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI levels. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $0.96 per share, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth of 5.8% to $917 million reflects robust demand and operational efficiency. Analysts maintain a buy consensus with a $49.00 price target, citing momentum and value metrics.
Outlook is positive due to consistent earnings beats and dividend payments, but risks include high valuation (P/E 24.55) and potential margin pressure from input costs. Investors should monitor Q3 2026 results against the $0.79 EPS estimate for sustained growth confirmation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless, and electric water heaters. Supplementary products include water heating equipment, condensing and noncondensing boilers, and water system tanks. The company's two operating segments are by geographic region: North America (majority of total revenue) and the Rest of the World. A material portion of sales in North America derive from replacing existing products, and the company utilizes a wholesale distribution channel and multiple selling locations. The Rest of the World segment sells primarily to Asian countries and operates sales offices to expand distribution and market its product portfolio.
Read more on AOS →Avient Corporation is a global leader in specialized and sustainable material solutions. Formed from the legacy of PolyOne and Clariant’s masterbatch business, it provides highly engineered polymer formulations, color systems, and advanced composites that enhance the performance and sustainability of products in industries like healthcare, defense, and consumer packaging.
Read more on AVNT →