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.

Compare

Total returnAPD vs NUE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
APD +2318.5%NUE +4376.7%NUE compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,419$4,477
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

MetricAPDNUE
P/E ratio30.9519.77
Forward P/E22.1214.96
P/S ratio5.231.57
P/B ratio4.172.56
PEG ratio1.400.76
EV / EBITDA21.4410.96
FCF yield1.70%0.94%

Profitability

MetricAPDNUE
Gross margin31.98%15.47%
Operating margin-7.29%11.47%
Net margin16.91%7.99%
ROE13.47%13.04%
ROIC-1.82%6.74%

Dividends

MetricAPDNUE
Dividend yield2.45%0.90%
Payout ratioN/A29.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDNUE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.12%10.36%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A26.02%
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.

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.