In the dynamic world of household and personal products, Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) and Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) stand out as influential players with distinct yet overlapping market footprints. Inter Parfums excels in luxury fragrances, leveraging brand partnerships and international reach, while Helen of Troy diversifies across beauty, health, and home essentials. This comparison will help you, the investor, identify which company presents the most compelling opportunity for your portfolio in 2026.
Table of contents
Companies Overview
I will begin the comparison between Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited by providing an overview of these two companies and their main differences.
Inter Parfums, Inc. Overview
Inter Parfums, Inc. manufactures, markets, and distributes fragrances and related products globally, operating through European and United States segments. The company offers well-known brands such as Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Montblanc, targeting department stores, specialty shops, and e-commerce. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in New York, Inter Parfums holds a market cap of approximately 2.87B USD and focuses on the household and personal products industry.
Helen of Troy Limited Overview
Helen of Troy Limited provides consumer products worldwide in three segments: Home & Outdoor, Health & Wellness, and Beauty. Its diverse portfolio includes brands like OXO, Hydro Flask, and Revlon, serving mass merchandisers, drugstores, and e-commerce channels. Incorporated in 1968 and based in El Paso, Texas, Helen of Troy has a market cap near 431M USD and employs about 1,883 people in the consumer defensive sector.
Key similarities and differences
Both companies operate within the household and personal products industry and are listed on NASDAQ. Inter Parfums specializes in fragrances and cosmetic products with a focus on luxury brands, while Helen of Troy has a broader product range spanning home goods, wellness, and beauty. Helen of Troy’s business model is more diversified across segments, whereas Inter Parfums concentrates on fragrance distribution and marketing through selective retail channels.
Income Statement Comparison
The table below presents a side-by-side comparison of key income statement metrics for Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited for their most recent fiscal years.
| Metric | Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) | Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) |
|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | 2.87B | 431M |
| Revenue | 1.45B | 1.91B |
| EBITDA | 305M | 269M |
| EBIT | 276M | 214M |
| Net Income | 164M | 124M |
| EPS | 5.13 | 5.38 |
| Fiscal Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Income Statement Interpretations
Inter Parfums, Inc.
Inter Parfums showed strong revenue growth from 2020 to 2024, rising from $539M to $1.45B, with net income increasing from $38M to $164M. Margins remained robust, with a gross margin of 63.85% and net margin of 11.32% in 2024. The latest year saw revenue growth slow to 10.22%, but earnings per share improved by 7.79%, reflecting efficient margin management.
Helen of Troy Limited
Helen of Troy’s revenue declined over 2021-2025, from $2.1B to $1.9B, with net income dropping from $254M to $124M. Margins contracted, with a gross margin of 47.93% and net margin of 6.49% in 2025. The most recent year experienced a 4.86% revenue decline and a 23.61% decrease in EPS, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability and operational efficiency.
Which one has the stronger fundamentals?
Inter Parfums demonstrates stronger fundamentals, supported by consistent revenue and net income growth, favorable margin trends, and positive EPS growth. Conversely, Helen of Troy faces declining revenue, shrinking margins, and negative earnings growth. The income statement evaluations favor Inter Parfums, reflecting a more resilient and improving financial profile over the periods analyzed.
Financial Ratios Comparison
The table below presents a side-by-side comparison of key financial ratios for Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) and Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) based on the most recent fiscal year data available.
| Ratios | Inter Parfums, Inc. (2024) | Helen of Troy Limited (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| ROE | 22.1% | 7.4% |
| ROIC | 18.6% | 5.3% |
| P/E | 25.6 | 10.2 |
| P/B | 5.66 | 0.75 |
| Current Ratio | 2.75 | 2.00 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.63 | 1.03 |
| D/E (Debt-to-Equity) | 0.26 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 13.6% | 30.7% |
| Interest Coverage | 35.6 | 2.75 |
| Asset Turnover | 1.03 | 0.61 |
| Fixed Asset Turnover | 8.14 | 5.23 |
| Payout Ratio | 58.4% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.28% | 0% |
Interpretation of the Ratios
Inter Parfums, Inc.
Inter Parfums shows strong financial ratios with favorable net margin (11.32%), ROE (22.07%), and ROIC (18.62%), reflecting solid profitability and efficient capital use. Its liquidity and leverage ratios are also favorable, indicating sound financial health. The company pays dividends with a 2.28% yield, supported by good free cash flow coverage, though valuation multiples like PE (25.63) and PB (5.66) appear elevated.
Helen of Troy Limited
Helen of Troy’s ratios are mixed, with neutral net margin (6.49%) and ROIC (5.32%), but unfavorable ROE (7.35%), suggesting weaker profitability. Liquidity ratios remain favorable, yet debt levels and interest coverage are moderate to neutral. The company does not pay dividends, likely prioritizing reinvestment and growth, as indicated by its ratio profile and absence of dividend yield.
Which one has the best ratios?
Inter Parfums presents a more robust ratio profile overall, with a higher proportion of favorable metrics and strong returns on equity and invested capital. Helen of Troy shows more neutral and some unfavorable ratios, particularly on profitability and shareholder returns. This comparison highlights Inter Parfums as having comparatively better financial strength and dividend support.
Strategic Positioning
This section compares the strategic positioning of Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited, including market position, key segments, and exposure to technological disruption:
Inter Parfums, Inc.
- Mid-cap player with strong niche in fragrances facing moderate competitive pressure.
- Focused on fragrances and cosmetics sold mainly through department, specialty, and duty-free stores.
- Limited exposure to technological disruption in traditional fragrance manufacturing and retail channels.
Helen of Troy Limited
- Smaller market cap with diversified household & personal products facing competitive pressure in multiple segments.
- Operates three segments: Home & Outdoor, Health & Wellness, and Beauty with broad consumer products.
- Potential exposure through innovation in health devices and home environment products but no explicit mention.
Inter Parfums, Inc. vs Helen of Troy Limited Positioning
Inter Parfums concentrates on fragrances and cosmetics, creating a niche market presence, while Helen of Troy pursues a diversified strategy across multiple consumer product categories, offering broad market exposure but with varied segment focus and complexity.
Which has the best competitive advantage?
Inter Parfums demonstrates a very favorable moat with growing ROIC and value creation, indicating durable competitive advantage. Helen of Troy shows a very unfavorable moat with declining ROIC, signaling value destruction and weaker competitive positioning.
Stock Comparison
The stock price movements of Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) and Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) over the past year reveal significant bearish trends with notable acceleration in declines, alongside contrasting recent stability in trading dynamics.
Trend Analysis
Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) experienced a bearish trend over the past 12 months with a price decline of 41.33%, showing acceleration. The stock ranged from a high of 152.22 to a low of 80.61, with volatility marked by a 17.11 standard deviation.
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) faced a more severe bearish trend over the same period, with an 85.04% price drop and accelerating decline. The stock fluctuated between 125.57 and 18.45, exhibiting higher volatility at a 31.1 standard deviation.
Comparing both, IPAR delivered a higher market performance despite its steep decline, while HELE’s price drop was substantially greater, indicating a more pronounced negative trend.
Target Prices
Analysts present a clear consensus on target prices for Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited.
| Company | Target High | Target Low | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Parfums, Inc. | 125 | 103 | 114 |
| Helen of Troy Limited | 22 | 22 | 22 |
The target consensus for Inter Parfums, Inc. at 114 suggests upside potential from its current price of 89.3 USD. Helen of Troy Limited’s target at 22 indicates a moderate increase from its current price of 18.78 USD. Overall, analysts expect positive price movement for both stocks.
Analyst Opinions Comparison
This section compares analysts’ ratings and grades for Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) and Helen of Troy Limited (HELE):
Rating Comparison
IPAR Rating
- Rated B+ with a very favorable overall rating status.
- Discounted Cash Flow Score is 3, indicating a moderate valuation assessment.
- Return on Equity Score is 5, signaling very favorable profit generation from equity.
- Return on Assets Score is 5, showing very favorable asset utilization.
- Debt to Equity Score is 3, reflecting moderate financial risk.
- Overall Score is 3, representing a moderate overall financial standing.
HELE Rating
- Rated B with a very favorable overall rating status.
- Discounted Cash Flow Score is 5, reflecting a very favorable valuation outlook.
- Return on Equity Score is 1, showing very unfavorable profit generation from equity.
- Return on Assets Score is 1, indicating very unfavorable asset utilization.
- Debt to Equity Score is 4, indicating favorable financial risk profile.
- Overall Score is 3, representing a moderate overall financial standing.
Which one is the best rated?
Based strictly on the provided data, IPAR holds a higher rating (B+) compared to HELE’s B. Although both have the same overall score, IPAR outperforms HELE significantly on return on equity and assets, while HELE leads on discounted cash flow and debt to equity scores.
Scores Comparison
Here is a comparison of the Altman Z-Score and Piotroski Score for Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited:
IPAR Scores
- Altman Z-Score: 6.12, indicating a safe zone status.
- Piotroski Score: 5, classified as average strength.
HELE Scores
- Altman Z-Score: 1.10, indicating a distress zone.
- Piotroski Score: 3, classified as very weak strength.
Which company has the best scores?
Inter Parfums, Inc. has higher Altman Z-Score and Piotroski Score values than Helen of Troy Limited, indicating stronger financial stability and average financial strength compared to Helen of Troy’s distress and very weak scores.
Grades Comparison
The following tables present the recent grades assigned to Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited by reputable financial grading companies:
Inter Parfums, Inc. Grades
This table shows grades from various reputable firms over the past year for Inter Parfums, Inc.:
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| BWS Financial | Downgrade | Neutral | 2025-11-21 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Buy | 2025-11-19 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Buy | 2025-11-07 |
| Jefferies | Maintain | Buy | 2025-10-28 |
| BWS Financial | Maintain | Buy | 2025-10-22 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Buy | 2025-10-21 |
| BWS Financial | Maintain | Buy | 2025-05-07 |
| Piper Sandler | Maintain | Overweight | 2025-04-24 |
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Buy | 2025-03-25 |
| BWS Financial | Maintain | Buy | 2025-03-17 |
Inter Parfums, Inc. grades mostly reflect strong buy recommendations, with a recent downgrade by BWS Financial to neutral.
Helen of Troy Limited Grades
This table displays recent grades for Helen of Troy Limited from reputable grading firms:
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UBS | Maintain | Neutral | 2026-01-09 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Hold | 2026-01-09 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Hold | 2026-01-06 |
| UBS | Maintain | Neutral | 2025-10-10 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Hold | 2025-10-10 |
| UBS | Maintain | Neutral | 2025-10-02 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Downgrade | Hold | 2025-07-11 |
| UBS | Maintain | Neutral | 2025-07-11 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Buy | 2025-07-07 |
| Canaccord Genuity | Maintain | Buy | 2025-04-25 |
Helen of Troy’s grades predominantly indicate hold or neutral ratings, with a few buys earlier in 2025.
Which company has the best grades?
Inter Parfums, Inc. has received predominantly buy and overweight grades, indicating stronger analyst confidence compared to Helen of Troy Limited’s mainly hold and neutral grades. This suggests Inter Parfums may be viewed as having better growth or value prospects by the grading firms, potentially affecting investor sentiment toward the two stocks.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Below is a comparison of key strengths and weaknesses of Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) and Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) based on recent financial performance and strategic positioning.
| Criterion | Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) | Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) |
|---|---|---|
| Diversification | Moderate, primarily in fragrance products | High, spanning Beauty & Wellness, Home & Outdoor |
| Profitability | Strong net margin (11.32%) and ROIC (18.62%), favorable | Moderate net margin (6.49%) and ROIC (5.32%), neutral |
| Innovation | Demonstrates growing ROIC indicating innovation success | Declining ROIC trend suggests innovation challenges |
| Global presence | Solid, with growing profitability indicating strong competitive advantage | Diverse product segments but less profitability growth |
| Market Share | Stable with durable competitive advantage | Facing value erosion and declining profitability |
Key takeaways: Inter Parfums shows a robust and growing profitability with a clear competitive moat, making it a stronger value creator. Helen of Troy, while diversified, struggles with declining returns and weaker profitability, suggesting caution for investors.
Risk Analysis
Below is a comparative risk table for Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) and Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) based on the most recent data available for 2025-2026.
| Metric | Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) | Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) |
|---|---|---|
| Market Risk | Beta 1.24; moderate volatility typical of consumer defensive sector | Beta 0.78; lower volatility but recent price drop of -3.17% suggests sensitivity to market shifts |
| Debt Level | Low debt-to-equity at 0.26, debt-to-assets 13.62%; strong interest coverage (35.3) | Moderate debt-to-equity at 0.57, debt-to-assets 30.74%; interest coverage lower at 4.11, indicating higher leverage risk |
| Regulatory Risk | Moderate; operates globally in fragrance and cosmetics with standard industry compliance | Moderate; diverse product lines across multiple segments and regions imply exposure to varying regulations |
| Operational Risk | Limited; focused product range with strong brand portfolio supports operational stability | Higher complexity with 3 diverse segments; operational challenges may arise from integration and supply chain |
| Environmental Risk | Typical for consumer products; no major recent issues reported | Similar profile with household and wellness products; potential risk from environmental regulations in manufacturing |
| Geopolitical Risk | Exposure through international operations, especially Europe and duty-free markets | Global presence including emerging markets; potential exposure to trade tensions and tariffs |
In synthesis, IPAR presents lower financial risk due to its conservative debt profile and strong cash flow coverage. Its main risk lies in market volatility and brand reliance. HELE shows more financial leverage and operational complexity, increasing its vulnerability to interest rate hikes and supply chain disruptions. The most impactful risks currently are HELE’s financial distress signals, confirmed by an Altman Z-Score in the distress zone and weak Piotroski score, versus IPAR’s safer financial position. Investors should weigh IPAR’s premium valuation against HELE’s value opportunity tempered by higher risk.
Which Stock to Choose?
Inter Parfums, Inc. (IPAR) shows a favorable income evolution with 10.22% revenue growth in 2024 and strong profitability metrics, including an 11.32% net margin and a 22.07% ROE. Its debt levels are low, supported by a net debt to EBITDA of 0.22, and financial ratios are very favorable overall. The company’s rating is very favorable at B+, reflecting solid financial health and value creation with a very favorable moat status.
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) experienced an unfavorable income trend with a -4.86% revenue decline in 2025 and weaker profitability, with a 6.49% net margin and a 7.35% ROE. Debt is higher relative to equity, with a net debt to EBITDA of 3.51, and financial ratios are slightly favorable overall. The company’s rating is also very favorable at B but contrasts with a very unfavorable moat evaluation indicating value destruction and declining profitability.
For investors, IPAR’s strong rating, favorable income and financial ratios, and durable competitive advantage might appeal more to those seeking quality and growth. Conversely, HELE’s profile, characterized by higher leverage and declining returns, may be more relevant for risk-tolerant investors focused on potential turnaround or value opportunities. The choice could depend on the investor’s risk tolerance and investment strategy.
Disclaimer: Investment carries a risk of loss of initial capital. The past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Be sure to understand risks before making an investment decision.
Go Further
I encourage you to read the complete analyses of Inter Parfums, Inc. and Helen of Troy Limited to enhance your investment decisions:
