In the dynamic world of industrial machinery, Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) stand out as key players. Both companies operate within the same sector, focusing on innovation and technology solutions, yet they target different aspects of the market. While Hillenbrand excels in diversified industrial products, JBT Marel specializes in food and beverage processing technologies. In this article, I will analyze these two companies to help you identify which one may be a more compelling investment opportunity.
Table of contents
Company Overview
Hillenbrand, Inc. Overview
Hillenbrand, Inc. is a diversified industrial company that operates globally, with a strong presence in the United States. Founded in 1906, the company is headquartered in Batesville, Indiana, and employs approximately 10,450 individuals. Hillenbrand’s mission is to provide innovative solutions across various industries, primarily through its three segments: Advanced Process Solutions, Molding Technology Solutions, and Batesville. The Advanced Process Solutions segment delivers equipment and systems for material handling and processing, while Molding Technology Solutions focuses on injection molding and extrusion technologies. The Batesville segment specializes in funeral services products, making Hillenbrand a unique player in both industrial machinery and personal services.
JBT Marel Corporation Overview
JBT Marel Corporation, formerly known as John Bean Technologies Corporation, is a key provider of technology solutions aimed at the food and beverage industry. Established in 1994 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, JBT Marel employs around 11,700 people and serves clients across multiple regions including North America, Europe, and Asia. The company focuses on value-added processing solutions, offering a wide array of services such as chilling, cooking, and packaging. JBT Marel’s commitment to innovation in food processing technology positions it as a leader in enhancing operational efficiency for its clients in the food and health sectors.
Key similarities and differences
Both Hillenbrand and JBT Marel operate within the industrial machinery sector, focusing on providing tailored solutions to their respective markets. However, while Hillenbrand is diversified across multiple industries, including funeral services, JBT Marel specializes exclusively in the food and beverage sector. Their business models reflect distinct operational focuses, with Hillenbrand emphasizing a broader industrial approach and JBT Marel honing in on food technology advancements.
Income Statement Comparison
Below is a comparison of the income statements for Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) based on their most recent fiscal year data.
| Metric | Hillenbrand, Inc. | JBT Marel Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | 2.24B | 7.30B |
| Revenue | 2.67B | 1.72B |
| EBITDA | 230.60M | 204.20M |
| EBIT | 92.10M | 114.80M |
| Net Income | 43.10M | 85.40M |
| EPS | 0.74 | 2.67 |
| Fiscal Year | 2025 | 2024 |
Interpretation of Income Statement
In the most recent fiscal year, Hillenbrand, Inc. experienced a decline in revenue from 3.18B in 2024 to 2.67B in 2025, reflecting a challenging market environment. Correspondingly, their net income decreased to 43.10M from a significantly higher figure in 2023, indicating pressure on margins. Conversely, JBT Marel Corporation demonstrated robust performance with revenue growth from 1.66B in 2023 to 1.72B in 2024, and net income increased to 85.40M. This growth underscores improved operational efficiency and strategic positioning within the food processing sector, a notable contrast to Hillenbrand’s recent struggles.
Financial Ratios Comparison
The following table presents a comparative analysis of key financial ratios and metrics for Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) based on the most recent data.
| Metric | Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) | JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) |
|---|---|---|
| ROE | 3.66% | 5.53% |
| ROIC | -32.60% | 3.65% |
| P/E | 36.69 | 47.63 |
| P/B | 1.34 | 2.63 |
| Current Ratio | 1.22 | 3.48 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.88 | 3.04 |
| D/E | 1.12 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 35.86% | 36.68% |
| Interest Coverage | 0.55 | 6.10 |
| Asset Turnover | 0.60 | 0.50 |
| Fixed Asset Turnover | 7.80 | 7.34 |
| Payout Ratio | 121.69% | 15.34% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.32% | 0.32% |
Interpretation of Financial Ratios
Hillenbrand exhibits a relatively high P/E ratio, indicating investor optimism, but its negative ROIC raises concerns about capital efficiency. The high payout ratio suggests potential sustainability issues for dividends. In contrast, JBTM, while presenting a robust current and quick ratio reflecting liquidity, shows a lower ROE and relatively high P/E ratio, signaling caution. Both companies display manageable debt levels; however, Hillenbrand’s interest coverage ratio indicates potential risk, warranting closer scrutiny.
Dividend and Shareholder Returns
Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) maintains a dividend payout ratio of 121.7%, indicating potential sustainability risks due to high distributions. With a dividend yield of 3.3% and ongoing share buybacks, investors should monitor cash flow coverage closely.
Conversely, JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) offers a more conservative approach, with a dividend payout ratio of 2.2% and minimal share buybacks. This strategy supports reinvestment for growth while maintaining flexibility. Overall, both companies present unique risks and rewards for long-term shareholder value creation.
Strategic Positioning
Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) holds a notable position in the industrial machinery sector with a market cap of approximately 2.24B. It faces competitive pressure from JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM), which leads with a market cap of around 7.30B, reflecting its strong foothold in food processing technology. Both companies are innovating amidst technological disruptions, focusing on advanced equipment solutions, which could shape their future market shares significantly.
Stock Comparison
In analyzing the stock price movements of Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) over the past year, we observe significant fluctuations that reveal divergent trading dynamics and investor sentiment.
Trend Analysis
Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) has experienced a notable price change of -29.48% over the past year, indicating a bearish trend. This decline has been characterized by acceleration, with a standard deviation of 9.44 suggesting heightened volatility. The stock reached a high of 50.29 and a low of 18.75 during this period. In a shorter recent trend from September 14, 2025, to November 30, 2025, HI recorded a price change of +29.59%, reflecting a positive shift but still underlining the overall negative performance.
JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM), in contrast, has shown a robust price increase of +52.67% over the past year, confirming a bullish trend despite a deceleration in momentum. The standard deviation of 17.43 indicates considerable volatility in the stock’s price. JBTM’s price peaked at 147.7 and dipped to 87.85. Recently, the stock has seen a modest price change of +2.24% from September 14, 2025, to November 30, 2025, suggesting stability in a bullish context.
In conclusion, while JBTM is on a positive trajectory with strong overall performance, HI’s bearish trend signals caution for current and prospective investors.
Analyst Opinions
Recent analyst recommendations for Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) suggest a “Buy” rating with a B+ score, emphasizing strong performance in return on assets and discounted cash flow (analysts highlight its solid fundamentals). In contrast, JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) holds a “Hold” rating with a C score, reflecting concerns over lower return metrics and overall performance. The consensus for HI is a strong buy, while JBTM is viewed as neutral for the current year.
Stock Grades
In the current market landscape, understanding stock grades is crucial for making informed investment decisions. Here’s a look at the latest ratings for Hillenbrand, Inc. and JBT Marel Corporation.
Hillenbrand, Inc. Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Neutral | 2025-11-20 |
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Neutral | 2025-10-16 |
| CJS Securities | Downgrade | Market Perform | 2025-10-16 |
| Keybanc | Downgrade | Sector Weight | 2025-05-08 |
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Neutral | 2025-05-01 |
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Neutral | 2024-11-15 |
| Keybanc | Maintain | Overweight | 2024-11-14 |
| DA Davidson | Downgrade | Neutral | 2024-08-12 |
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Buy | 2021-02-08 |
| DA Davidson | Maintain | Buy | 2021-02-07 |
JBT Marel Corporation Grades
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Blair | Upgrade | Outperform | 2025-08-06 |
Overall, Hillenbrand, Inc. has experienced a trend of downgrades over the past several months, with multiple maintain ratings indicating a cautious stance from analysts. In contrast, JBT Marel Corporation has seen a positive upgrade, suggesting improved investor sentiment and potential for growth.
Target Prices
The current consensus target prices for the companies are as follows:
| Company | Target High | Target Low | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) | 169 | 169 | 169 |
Analysts expect Hillenbrand, Inc. to reach a target price of $32, which aligns closely with its current price of $31.84. Meanwhile, JBT Marel Corporation has a target of $169, significantly higher than its current price of $140.53, reflecting strong bullish sentiment.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The following table outlines the strengths and weaknesses of Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) based on the most recent data available.
| Criterion | Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) | JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) |
|---|---|---|
| Diversification | Moderate | High |
| Profitability | Low | Moderate |
| Innovation | Moderate | High |
| Global presence | Moderate | High |
| Market Share | Low | High |
| Debt level | Moderate | Low |
In summary, JBT Marel Corporation exhibits strong global presence and innovation, which positions it favorably in the market. Hillenbrand, while diversified, struggles with profitability and market share, indicating potential risks for investors.
Risk Analysis
In this section, I will provide a succinct overview of the key risks associated with two companies, Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM). Below is a comparative table of risks:
| Metric | Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) | JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM) |
|---|---|---|
| Market Risk | Medium | High |
| Regulatory Risk | High | Medium |
| Operational Risk | Medium | Medium |
| Environmental Risk | Low | Medium |
| Geopolitical Risk | Medium | High |
Both companies face significant market and regulatory risks. For instance, Hillenbrand’s market risk is impacted by fluctuations in the industrial machinery sector, while JBTM faces challenges related to global supply chain disruptions. Recent geopolitical tensions also heighten risks for JBTM, particularly given its international operations.
Which one to choose?
When comparing Hillenbrand, Inc. (HI) and JBT Marel Corporation (JBTM), the fundamentals show that HI has a stronger financial position despite recent challenges. HI’s gross profit margin stands at 33.7%, while JBTM’s is 36.5%. However, HI’s net income per share is significantly better at $0.74 compared to JBTM’s $2.67, reflecting more consistent profitability. Moreover, HI holds a B+ rating, indicating a favorable outlook, whereas JBTM has a C rating, suggesting average performance.
For investors focused on growth, JBTM’s recent bullish trend (up 52.67%) may attract attention, while those prioritizing stability may prefer HI due to its robust fundamentals. Nevertheless, both companies face risks such as market dependence and competition, affecting long-term performance.
Disclaimer: This article is not financial advice. Each investor is responsible for their own investment decisions.
Go further
I encourage you to read the complete analyses of Hillenbrand, Inc. and JBT Marel Corporation to enhance your investment decisions:
