Albemarle Corporation (ALB) vs Builders FirstSource, Inc. (BLDR)

BLDR leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Albemarle Corporation and Builders FirstSource, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ALB vs BLDR

growth of $100 · last 21y
ALB +626.9%BLDR +380.6%ALB compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020092013201720212025$727$481
ALB BLDR

ALB vs BLDR: by the numbers

  • ALB is the larger company ($15.15B vs $8.02B market cap).
  • BLDR is profitable (1.97% net margin) while ALB runs a net loss (-4.24%).
  • ALB grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.29% vs 6.25% CAGR).
  • ALB pays a dividend (1.25% yield) while BLDR does not currently pay one.

Which is better, ALB or BLDR?

Metric tally: ALB 6 · BLDR 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthALB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityBLDR(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricALBBLDR
P/E ratio28.43
Forward P/E10.3217.36
P/S ratio2.790.55
P/B ratio1.562.04
PEG ratio3.66
EV / EBITDA16.8110.99
FCF yield3.76%10.57%

Profitability

MetricALBBLDR
Gross margin18.53%29.89%
Operating margin5.55%4.18%
Net margin-4.24%1.97%
ROE-2.36%7.28%
ROIC0.64%6.82%

Dividends

MetricALBBLDR
Dividend yield1.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricALBBLDR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.29%6.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.95%7.77%
FCF CAGR (5Y)92.70%39.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.94%12.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ALB or BLDR?
It depends on your goal. growth: ALB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: BLDR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BLDR leads 8 to 6.
Which has grown faster, ALB or BLDR?
Over the past five years, ALB grew revenue faster — ALB at a 11.29% CAGR versus BLDR at 6.25%.
Does ALB or BLDR pay a bigger dividend?
ALB pays a dividend (1.25% yield) while BLDR does not currently pay one.
Is ALB or BLDR more profitable?
BLDR runs the higher net margin — ALB at -4.24% versus BLDR at 1.97%.
Which has been the better investment, ALB or BLDR?
Over the past 10-year, BLDR delivered the higher annualized total return — ALB at 5.88% versus BLDR at 19.65%. 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 9, 2026.