Alcoa Corporation (AA) vs Lightwave Logic, Inc. (LWLG)

AA leads on 8 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Alcoa Corporation and Lightwave Logic, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 1, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AA vs LWLG

growth of $100 · last 20y
AA -30.7%LWLG +459.8%LWLG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10kStart $10020102014201820222026$69$560
AA LWLG

AA vs LWLG: by the numbers

  • AA is the larger company ($12.43B vs $1.31B market cap).
  • AA is profitable (8.17% net margin) while LWLG runs a net loss (-9015.57%).
  • LWLG grew revenue faster over the past five years (43.26% vs 5.08% CAGR).
  • AA pays a dividend (0.77% yield) while LWLG does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AA or LWLG?

Metric tally: AA 8 · LWLG 1

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthLWLG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAA(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAALWLG
P/E ratio13.07
Forward P/E6.58
P/S ratio1.095762.51
P/B ratio2.0317.23
PEG ratio0.01
EV / EBITDA13.31
FCF yield2.07%

Profitability

MetricAALWLG
Gross margin15.20%-793.18%
Operating margin3.82%-8765.46%
Net margin8.17%-9015.57%
ROE15.15%-26.95%
ROIC6.12%-26.04%

Dividends

MetricAALWLG
Dividend yield0.77%
Payout ratio8.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAALWLG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.08%43.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)20.38%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.41%
Total return CAGR (5Y)8.24%-8.12%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AA or LWLG?
It depends on your goal. growth: LWLG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: AA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AA leads 8 to 1.
Which has grown faster, AA or LWLG?
Over the past five years, LWLG grew revenue faster — AA at a 5.08% CAGR versus LWLG at 43.26%.
Does AA or LWLG pay a bigger dividend?
AA pays a dividend (0.77% yield) while LWLG does not currently pay one.
Is AA or LWLG more profitable?
AA runs the higher net margin — AA at 8.17% versus LWLG at -9015.57%.
Which has been the better investment, AA or LWLG?
Over the past 10-year, LWLG delivered the higher annualized total return — AA at 10.21% versus LWLG at 31.12%. 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 July 1, 2026.