Aspen Aerogels Inc vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Aspen Aerogels Inc trades at $6.16 (market cap $509.55M), while Wendys Co trades at $8.54 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: Wendys Co is far larger — about 2.8× Aspen Aerogels Inc's market cap, and Wendys Co pays a 3.71% dividend while Aspen Aerogels Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ASPN | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $509.55M | $1.44B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $8.82 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $2.57 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $482.96M | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aspen Aerogels (ASPN) trades at $6.13, down 2.54% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages despite mixed oscillators. The company shows improving revenue trends with Q2 2026 results beating expectations and strong Q3 guidance of $65-80 million revenue. However, profitability remains challenged with negative net income margins of -62.45% and consecutive quarterly EPS misses. Analyst sentiment is overwhelmingly positive with 82.61% buy ratings.
The outlook balances strong revenue growth potential in thermal barrier markets against persistent profitability challenges. Investment opportunity lies in the expanding EV thermal barrier business and European market growth, while risks include sustained negative cash flow and competitive pressures in evolving battery technologies.
WEN trades at $8.595, up 17.74% in 24 hours, with a neutral technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 EPS of $0.18 beat expectations, but revenue trends are flat and net income margin declined to 5.72% in 2025. The company cut its dividend and withdrew 2026 guidance amid a strategic turnaround under new leadership, facing traffic declines and loss of its No. 2 U.S. burger chain position to Burger King.
Outlook is cautious; the dividend cut frees cash for restructuring, but execution risks are high. Valuation appears reasonable with a P/E of 11.44, though high debt and competitive pressures pose significant headwinds. Analyst consensus is mixed, with 62.75% hold ratings reflecting uncertainty around the turnaround plan's success.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Aspen Aerogels is an aerogel technology company that designs high-performance insulation. Its products are used in energy infrastructure and electric vehicles to provide thermal management and fire protection.
Read more on ASPN →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →