Alcoa Corporation (AA) vs Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL)

RL leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though AA is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Alcoa Corporation and Ralph Lauren Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AA vs RL

growth of $100 · last 29y
AA +57.3%RL +1182.5%RL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020022007201220172022$157$1,282
AA RL

AA vs RL: by the numbers

  • RL is the larger company ($24.64B vs $18.15B market cap).
  • AA trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.24 vs 26.74 P/E).
  • RL converts more revenue to profit (11.60% vs 8.17% net margin).
  • RL grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.01% vs 5.08% CAGR).
  • RL pays the higher dividend yield (0.90% vs 0.58%).

Which is better, AA or RL?

Metric tally: AA 6 · RL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAA(lower P/E)
GrowthRL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRL(higher dividend yield)
QualityRL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAARL
P/E ratio17.2426.74
Forward P/E8.7622.03
P/S ratio1.443.10
P/B ratio2.688.86
PEG ratio0.010.71
EV / EBITDA11.5622.22
FCF yield1.57%2.96%

Profitability

MetricAARL
Gross margin15.20%69.87%
Operating margin3.82%14.53%
Net margin8.17%11.60%
ROE15.15%33.13%
ROIC6.12%19.62%

Dividends

MetricAARL
Dividend yield0.58%0.90%
Payout ratio8.95%23.67%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAARL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.08%13.01%
EPS CAGR (5Y)20.38%20.37%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.41%22.25%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.06%29.56%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AA or RL?
It depends on your goal. value: AA (lower P/E); growth: RL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RL (higher dividend yield); quality: RL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RL leads 10 to 6.
Is AA or RL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AA is cheaper: AA trades at a 17.24 P/E and RL at 26.74.
Which has grown faster, AA or RL?
Over the past five years, RL grew revenue faster — AA at a 5.08% CAGR versus RL at 13.01%.
Does AA or RL pay a bigger dividend?
AA yields 0.58% and RL yields 0.90% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AA or RL more profitable?
RL runs the higher net margin — AA at 8.17% versus RL at 11.60%.
Which has been the better investment, AA or RL?
Over the past 10-year, RL delivered the higher annualized total return — AA at 13.03% versus RL at 17.77%. 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 15, 2026.