Alcoa Corporation (AA) vs Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD)

AA leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Alcoa Corporation and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AA vs APD

growth of $100 · last 30y
AA +108.6%APD +954.8%APD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$209$1,055
AA APD

AA vs APD: by the numbers

  • APD is the larger company ($62.71B vs $18.15B market cap).
  • AA trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.24 vs 29.79 P/E).
  • APD converts more revenue to profit (16.91% vs 8.17% net margin).
  • APD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.12% vs 5.08% CAGR).
  • APD pays the higher dividend yield (2.55% vs 0.58%).

Which is better, AA or APD?

Metric tally: AA 11 · APD 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAA(lower P/E)
GrowthAPD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAPD(higher dividend yield)
QualityAA(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAAAPD
P/E ratio17.2429.79
Forward P/E8.7719.71
P/S ratio1.445.04
P/B ratio2.684.01
PEG ratio0.011.40
EV / EBITDA11.5617.66
FCF yield1.57%1.76%

Profitability

MetricAAAPD
Gross margin15.20%31.98%
Operating margin3.82%18.41%
Net margin8.17%16.91%
ROE15.15%13.47%
ROIC6.12%-1.82%

Dividends

MetricAAAPD
Dividend yield0.58%2.55%
Payout ratio8.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAAAPD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.08%6.12%
EPS CAGR (5Y)20.38%16.58%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.41%6.54%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.06%1.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AA or APD?
It depends on your goal. value: AA (lower P/E); growth: APD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: APD (higher dividend yield); quality: AA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AA leads 11 to 6.
Is AA or APD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AA is cheaper: AA trades at a 17.24 P/E and APD at 29.79.
Which has grown faster, AA or APD?
Over the past five years, APD grew revenue faster — AA at a 5.08% CAGR versus APD at 6.12%.
Does AA or APD pay a bigger dividend?
AA yields 0.58% and APD yields 2.55% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AA or APD more profitable?
APD runs the higher net margin — AA at 8.17% versus APD at 16.91%.
Which has been the better investment, AA or APD?
Over the past 10-year, AA delivered the higher annualized total return — AA at 13.03% versus APD at 10.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.