Albemarle Corporation (ALB) vs United States Steel Corporation (X)
X leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Albemarle Corporation and United States Steel Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ALB
Albemarle Corporation
$141.05Basic Materials
X
United States Steel Corporation
$54.84Basic Materials
Total return — ALB vs X
growth of $100 · last 29yALB +436.6%X +91.5%ALB compounded faster
ALB X
ALB vs X: by the numbers
- •ALB is the larger company ($16.63B vs $12.42B market cap).
- •X is profitable (0.64% net margin) while ALB runs a net loss (-4.24%).
- •ALB grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.29% vs 4.51% CAGR).
- •ALB pays the higher dividend yield (1.15% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, ALB or X?
Metric tally: ALB 6 · X 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthALB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeALB(higher dividend yield)
QualityX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ALB | X |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 189.10 |
| Forward P/E | 11.26 | — |
| P/S ratio | 3.04 | 0.81● |
| P/B ratio | 1.70 | 0.77● |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.45 | 10.84● |
| FCF yield | 3.45% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | ALB | X |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 18.53%● | 7.57% |
| Operating margin | 5.55%● | -2.36% |
| Net margin | -4.24% | 0.64%● |
| ROE | -2.36% | 0.61%● |
| ROIC | 0.64% | 1.24%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ALB | X |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.15%● | 0.36% |
| Payout ratio | — | 11.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALB | X |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.29%● | 4.51% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.95%● | -19.55% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 92.70%● | 24.58% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.13% | 47.40%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ALB or X?
- It depends on your goal. growth: ALB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ALB (higher dividend yield); quality: X (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, X leads 7 to 6.
- Which has grown faster, ALB or X?
- Over the past five years, ALB grew revenue faster — ALB at a 11.29% CAGR versus X at 4.51%.
- Does ALB or X pay a bigger dividend?
- ALB yields 1.15% and X yields 0.36% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ALB or X more profitable?
- X runs the higher net margin — ALB at -4.24% versus X at 0.64%.
- Which has been the better investment, ALB or X?
- Over the past 10-year, X delivered the higher annualized total return — ALB at 7.40% versus X at 9.88%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Albemarle P/E ratioUnited States Steel P/E ratioAlbemarle dividend yieldUnited States Steel dividend yieldAlbemarle ROEUnited States Steel ROEAlbemarle operating marginUnited States Steel operating marginAlbemarle revenue growthUnited States Steel revenue growthAlbemarle free cash flowUnited States Steel free cash flow
Albemarle & 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 June 26, 2026.