Start with its own history
At 23.86×, KAI is 11.7% below its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NYSE · KAIIndustrial - MachineryUpdated Nov 2, 2026
Kadant Inc. P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
23.86×
11.7% belowthe 10-year annual average
Share price265.28
÷Earnings per share11.12
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 23.86 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2016 – 2026
Annual P/ESelected-period average 27.03×
3-year average32.74×3 positive annual observations
5-year average29.42×5 positive annual observations
10-year average27.03×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM24.02×7 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2026 | 33.07× | -10.3% |
| Dec 28, 2024 | 36.89× | +30.5% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 28.26× | +65.1% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 17.11× | -46.1% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 31.75× | +8.3% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 29.31× | +28.8% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 22.75× | +52.2% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 14.95× | -57.9% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2017 | 35.48× | +71.0% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 20.75× | +61.4% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 12.85× | -21.4% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 16.36× | -15.2% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 19.30× | +100.9% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 9.61× | +17.7% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 8.16× | -48.1% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 15.71× | N/M |
| Dec 31, 2009 | N/M | N/M |
| Dec 31, 2008 | N/M | N/M |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 18.43× | -6.3% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 19.66× | -46.9% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 37.00× | -91.0% |
| Dec 31, 2004 | 410.00× | +1547.6% |
| Dec 31, 2003 | 24.89× | N/M |
| Dec 31, 2002 | N/M | N/M |
| Dec 31, 2001 | 17.90× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How KAI compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 KAI This stockKadant Inc. | 23.86× |
 CXTCrane NXT, Co. | 24.02× |
 SXIStandex International Corporation | 25.85× |
 GTLSChart Industries, Inc. | N/M |
 FELEFranklin Electric Co., Inc. | 21.20× |
 MWAMueller Water Products, Inc. | 15.94× |
 TEXTerex Corporation | 27.94× |
 CSWCSW Industrials, Inc. | 36.50× |
 KFYKorn Ferry | 14.12× |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does KAI’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 7 positive peer ratios above is 24.02×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take KAI into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("KAI", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 265.28 ÷ EPS 11.12 = 23.86×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 2, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
KAI P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
Kadant Inc.'s current P/E is 23.86× based on the quote data last updated Nov 2, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.