Alcoa Corporation (AA) vs United States Steel Corporation (X)
A side-by-side comparison of Alcoa Corporation and United States Steel Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AA
Alcoa Corporation
$44.36Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:02 PM EDT
X
United States Steel Corporation
$54.84Basic MaterialsAt close: Jun 20, 2025, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — AA vs X
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 29yAA +33.6%X +226.1%X compounded faster
AA X
AA vs X: by the numbers
- •X is the larger company ($12.42B vs $11.71B market cap).
- •AA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.98 vs 189.10 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AA converts more revenue to profit (9.39% vs 0.64% net margin).
- •AA grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.06% vs 4.51% CAGR).
- •AA pays the higher dividend yield (0.91% vs 0.36%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AA | X |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 8.98 | 189.10 |
| Forward P/E | 6.73 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 0.85 | 0.81 |
| P/B ratio | 1.58 | 0.77 |
| PEG ratio | 0.01 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.18 | 20.08 |
| FCF yield | 3.03% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | AA | X |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 18.79% | 7.57% |
| Operating margin | 7.96% | -2.36% |
| Net margin | 9.39% | 0.64% |
| ROE | 17.33% | 0.61% |
| ROIC | 6.12% | 1.24% |
Dividends
| Metric | AA | X |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.91% | 0.36% |
| Payout ratio | 8.95% | 11.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AA | X |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.06% | 4.51% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.38% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.20% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.14% | 47.40% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AA or X?
- AA has the lower trailing P/E: AA trades at 8.98 and X at 189.10. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AA or X?
- Over the past five years, AA grew revenue faster — AA at a 5.06% CAGR versus X at 4.51%.
- Does AA or X pay a bigger dividend?
- AA yields 0.91% and X yields 0.36% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AA or X more profitable?
- AA runs the higher net margin — AA at 9.39% versus X at 0.64%.
- How have AA and X total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AA delivered 6.98% and X delivered 9.88% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alcoa P/E ratioUnited States Steel P/E ratioAlcoa dividend yieldUnited States Steel dividend yieldAlcoa ROEUnited States Steel ROEAlcoa operating marginUnited States Steel operating marginAlcoa revenue growthUnited States Steel revenue growthAlcoa free cash flowUnited States Steel free cash flow
Alcoa & United States Steel appear in these rankings
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 28, 2026.