Element Solutions Inc
NYSE: ESI · BASIC MATERIALS · SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
Updated 2026-04-29
Element Solutions Inc (ESI) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for ESI.
Current price exceeds what fundamentals support. Risk/reward skewed unfavorably.
ESI historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in ESI's own 5Y range.
ESI intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
ESI valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
Current: 68.65x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 3.71x
Is ESI overvalued in 2026?
Element Solutions Inc (ESI) currently trades at $42.56 per share with a market capitalization of $10,367,616,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock appears richly valued with a Smart Value Score of 48/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 68.7x, above its 5-year median of 30.4x.
Looking at its own history, ESI is currently trading more expensive than 96% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 96th percentile of its historical range, a zone where forward returns have typically been muted.
Our discounted cash flow model estimates ESI's intrinsic value at $29.97 per share, against the current market price of $42.56. This implies a premium to fair value of -8.17%. The stock is priced close to its estimated fair value, offering limited upside without further operational improvement.
The Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: ESI appears richly valued on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 48/100. At current levels the risk/reward is skewed against the buyer. A materially lower price or significant operational improvement would be needed to change the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESI overvalued in 2026?
Based on a Smart Value Score of 48/100, ESI appears overvalued. Current price exceeds what fundamentals currently justify.
What is ESI's fair value?
Our DCF model estimates ESI's intrinsic value at $29.97 per share, versus the current price of $42.56. This produces a margin of safety of -8.17%.
What P/E ratio does ESI trade at?
ESI trades at a P/E of 68.7x on trailing twelve-month earnings, compared to its 5-year median of 30.4x.
Is ESI a buy based on valuation?
WallStSmart does not issue buy or sell recommendations. Our Smart Value Score of 48/100 reflects the combined read on growth, quality, and price. The profile skews cautious. Consider waiting for a better price or clearer operational improvement.
How does ESI's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, ESI currently sits in the 96th percentile of its own 5Y range. That is historically expensive relative to where it has traded over the period.
What is ESI's Smart Value Score?
ESI's Smart Value Score is 48/100. The Smart Value Score is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation attractiveness into a single 0-100 read. Scores above 75 are rare and indicate strong multi-factor alignment.