Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs Rio Tinto Group (RIO)

RIO leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Rio Tinto Group 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 — APD vs RIO

growth of $100 · last 30y
APD +1051.5%RIO +486.9%APD compounded faster
05001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,152$587
APD RIO

APD vs RIO: by the numbers

  • RIO is the larger company ($145.33B vs $65.88B market cap).
  • RIO trades at the lower earnings multiple (6.74 vs 31.40 P/E).
  • RIO converts more revenue to profit (19.28% vs 16.91% net margin).
  • APD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.12% vs 4.92% CAGR).
  • RIO pays the higher dividend yield (5.72% vs 2.44%).

Which is better, APD or RIO?

Metric tally: APD 5 · RIO 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRIO(lower P/E)
GrowthAPD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRIO(higher dividend yield)
QualityRIO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPDRIO
P/E ratio31.406.74
Forward P/E22.4610.44
P/S ratio5.311.31
P/B ratio4.232.34
PEG ratio1.4018.73
EV / EBITDA21.683.87
FCF yield1.68%7.40%

Profitability

MetricAPDRIO
Gross margin31.98%27.57%
Operating margin-7.29%27.10%
Net margin16.91%19.28%
ROE13.47%34.53%
ROIC-1.82%9.18%

Dividends

MetricAPDRIO
Dividend yield2.44%5.72%
Payout ratio82.60%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDRIO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.12%4.92%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.58%0.36%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.54%-11.74%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.20%9.72%

Frequently asked

Which is better, APD or RIO?
It depends on your goal. value: RIO (lower P/E); growth: APD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RIO (higher dividend yield); quality: RIO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RIO leads 12 to 5.
Is APD or RIO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RIO is cheaper: APD trades at a 31.40 P/E and RIO at 6.74.
Which has grown faster, APD or RIO?
Over the past five years, APD grew revenue faster — APD at a 6.12% CAGR versus RIO at 4.92%.
Does APD or RIO pay a bigger dividend?
APD yields 2.44% and RIO yields 5.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is APD or RIO more profitable?
RIO runs the higher net margin — APD at 16.91% versus RIO at 19.28%.
Which has been the better investment, APD or RIO?
Over the past 10-year, RIO delivered the higher annualized total return — APD at 11.00% versus RIO at 19.54%. 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.