ESI
Basic MaterialsElement Solutions Inc · Chemicals - Specialty · $10B
What is Element Solutions Inc?
Element Solutions Inc is a specialty chemicals company serving electronics manufacturers and industrial customers worldwide. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it supplies advanced chemical processes and materials across two distinct business segments.
Element Solutions generates revenue through two segments. The Electronics segment develops and sells specialty chemicals, solder technologies, and advanced materials used in printed circuit board manufacturing, semiconductor packaging, and integrated circuit fabrication. The Industrial and Specialty segment provides chemical systems that protect and decorate metal and plastic surfaces, enable flexible packaging printing, and support offshore energy hydraulic control applications. End markets span mobile communications, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and oil and gas production.
The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, US.
- Specialty chemicals and materials for electronics hardware manufacturing
- Solder technologies, fluxes, and cleaners for electronics assembly
- Proprietary liquid chemical processes for printed circuit boards
- Advanced copper interconnect and semiconductor packaging chemistries
- Surface protection and decorative chemical systems for industrial applications
Is ESI a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates ESI as Below Average overall.
Among the five pillars, Risk stands out as the clearest relative strength — suggesting the company's financial structure carries a manageable level of downside exposure compared to sector peers. Quality and Growth both register as Neutral, meaning neither represents a meaningful drag nor a standout advantage at this time.
The Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating limited evidence of durable competitive advantages that would protect pricing power or market share over the long term. Valuation is Neutral, offering neither a clear discount nor a premium concern.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does ESI pay dividends?
Yes — Element Solutions Inc pays a dividend.
Element Solutions pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among specialty chemicals companies still investing in product development and market expansion. The dividend signals a degree of financial stability and a commitment to returning capital to shareholders. Income-oriented investors may find this appealing, though the payout should be weighed alongside the company's overall Below Average UQS profile.
When does ESI report earnings?
Element Solutions reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
The company's Neutral Quality and Growth pillar ratings suggest performance has been broadly in line with sector expectations — neither accelerating meaningfully nor deteriorating. Investors should monitor segment-level trends in both Electronics and Industrial and Specialty for directional signals.
For the most recent quarter's results, see Element Solutions Inc's investor relations page.
ESI Price History
+74.1% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Element Solutions Inc?
Based on Element Solutions Inc's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
ESI Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for ESI is shaped by a Neutral Growth profile and a Good Risk rating. This combination suggests the company is not positioned for rapid expansion but maintains a relatively stable financial footing. The Weak Moat rating introduces uncertainty around long-term pricing power, particularly as specialty chemicals markets face competitive pressure. A Neutral Valuation means the stock is not obviously cheap or expensive relative to its fundamentals.
Growth drivers
- Ongoing demand for advanced semiconductor packaging and electronics assembly materials
- Industrial end-market diversification across automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods
- Expansion of specialty chemical applications in offshore energy and flexible packaging
Key risks
- Weak competitive moat leaves pricing power vulnerable to specialty chemicals rivals
- Cyclical exposure across electronics and industrial end markets can compress demand
- Neutral valuation provides limited margin of safety if earnings disappoint
ESI vs Peers
Element Solutions competes in the specialty chemicals space alongside companies with varying scale, geographic reach, and end-market focus.
Eastman operates at a larger scale with a broader portfolio spanning advanced materials, additives, and chemical intermediates across diverse global end markets.
Sasol is an integrated energy and chemicals company with significant exposure to synthetic fuels and base chemicals, giving it a different risk and revenue profile than ESI.
Solstice focuses on advanced materials with applications in electronics and specialty sectors, making it a more direct competitor in certain high-performance chemical niches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Element Solutions Inc do?
Element Solutions is a specialty chemicals company operating in two segments. The Electronics segment supplies chemicals and materials for circuit board manufacturing and semiconductor packaging. The Industrial and Specialty segment provides surface protection chemistries, flexible packaging solutions, and hydraulic control fluids for offshore energy. End markets include automotive, aerospace, mobile communications, and consumer electronics.
Does ESI pay dividends?
Yes, Element Solutions pays a regular dividend. This is a notable feature for a mid-cap specialty chemicals company, as many peers in the sector reinvest cash into R&D and expansion rather than distributing it. Investors should review the current dividend rate and payout history on the company's investor relations page.
When does ESI report earnings?
Element Solutions reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard US-listed company practice. For the exact schedule and most recent results, visit the company's investor relations page directly, as specific dates are subject to change.
Is ESI a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates ESI as Below Average overall. The Risk pillar is the clearest relative strength, while the Moat pillar is rated Weak. Quality, Growth, and Valuation are all Neutral. Whether ESI fits a portfolio depends on individual risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is ESI overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for ESI is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither clearly cheap nor obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals. This does not mean the stock is fairly priced in all scenarios — the Weak Moat rating means investors should be cautious about paying a premium for limited competitive durability.
How does ESI compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Eastman Chemical and Sasol, Element Solutions is more narrowly focused on specialty electronics and industrial chemistries. Its mid-cap scale means less diversification than larger chemical conglomerates. The UQS competitor comparison module shows how ESI's pillar ratings stack up against these peers side by side.
What is ESI's market cap bracket?
Element Solutions is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range that typically offers more growth optionality than large-cap peers but with less financial resilience than mega-cap incumbents. Mid-cap specialty chemicals companies often carry meaningful cyclical exposure tied to industrial and electronics demand cycles.
Who founded Element Solutions Inc?
The company was founded in 2013 and was formerly known as Platform Specialty Products Corporation before rebranding as Element Solutions Inc in January 2019. Founding context and leadership history are publicly available through the company's official disclosures and investor relations materials.
Is ESI a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, ESI's Below Average UQS Score warrants careful consideration. The Weak Moat rating suggests limited structural advantages that would compound returns over time, while the Neutral Quality and Growth ratings indicate the business is stable but not exceptional. Long-term investors should weigh these factors against the company's dividend and end-market diversification.
What is the main competitive advantage of Element Solutions Inc?
Element Solutions' competitive positioning rests on its specialized chemical formulations and deep customer relationships in electronics manufacturing and industrial applications. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, suggesting these advantages may not be sufficiently durable or differentiated to consistently fend off competition across all segments.
What sector does ESI belong to?
ESI operates in the Basic Materials sector, specifically within specialty chemicals. This sector is sensitive to industrial production cycles, raw material costs, and end-market demand from industries like automotive, electronics, and energy. Investors can explore other [Basic Materials stocks](/sector/basic-materials) on UQS Score for sector-wide comparisons.
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Pro Analysis
ESI — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | 43.6 | 39.5 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 47.2 | 47.1 | -4.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 47.7 | 45.9 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 45.4 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 47.8 | 45.9 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 46.4 | -0.4 |
| May 1, 2026 | 48.2 | 45.9 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 48.7 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 48.1 | 45.9 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 48.5 | -0.2 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 48.3 | 45.9 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 49.7 | -0.4 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 48.7 | 46.2 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 52.2 | +0.1 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 48.6 | 46.1 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 51.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 48.5 | 46.1 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 51.0 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 48.7 | 46.1 | 35.0 | 53.9 | 65.6 | 52.1 | -1.8 |
ESI — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 39.6/100 (25%)Element Solutions Inc has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 53.9/100 (20%)Element Solutions Inc shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 47.2/100 (15%)Element Solutions Inc has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 48.5/100 (15%)Element Solutions Inc has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 35/100 (25%)Element Solutions Inc possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ESI.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the ESI UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Element Solutions Inc is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Element Solutions Inc's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Element Solutions Inc is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.