Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs Nucor Corporation (NUE)
A side-by-side comparison of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Nucor 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.
APD
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
$292.85Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NUE
Nucor Corporation
$265.62Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — APD vs NUE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAPD +2318.5%NUE +4376.7%NUE compounded faster
APD NUE
APD vs NUE: by the numbers
- •APD is the larger company ($65.21B vs $60.49B market cap).
- •NUE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.77 vs 30.95 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •APD converts more revenue to profit (16.91% vs 7.99% net margin).
- •NUE grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.36% vs 6.12% CAGR).
- •APD pays the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 0.90%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | APD | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.95 | 19.77 |
| Forward P/E | 22.12 | 14.96 |
| P/S ratio | 5.23 | 1.57 |
| P/B ratio | 4.17 | 2.56 |
| PEG ratio | 1.40 | 0.76 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.44 | 10.96 |
| FCF yield | 1.70% | 0.94% |
Profitability
| Metric | APD | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.98% | 15.47% |
| Operating margin | -7.29% | 11.47% |
| Net margin | 16.91% | 7.99% |
| ROE | 13.47% | 13.04% |
| ROIC | -1.82% | 6.74% |
Dividends
| Metric | APD | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.45% | 0.90% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 29.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | APD | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.12% | 10.36% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 26.02% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -19.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.80% | 23.47% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, APD or NUE?
- NUE has the lower trailing P/E: APD trades at 30.95 and NUE at 19.77. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, APD or NUE?
- Over the past five years, NUE grew revenue faster — APD at a 6.12% CAGR versus NUE at 10.36%.
- Does APD or NUE pay a bigger dividend?
- APD yields 2.45% and NUE yields 0.90% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is APD or NUE more profitable?
- APD runs the higher net margin — APD at 16.91% versus NUE at 7.99%.
- How have APD and NUE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, APD delivered 10.49% and NUE delivered 19.84% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Air Products and Chemicals P/E ratioNucor P/E ratioAir Products and Chemicals dividend yieldNucor dividend yieldAir Products and Chemicals ROENucor ROEAir Products and Chemicals operating marginNucor operating marginAir Products and Chemicals revenue growthNucor revenue growthAir Products and Chemicals free cash flowNucor free cash flow
Air Products and Chemicals & Nucor 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.