Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs Vale S.A. (VALE)

VALE leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Vale S.A. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — APD vs VALE

growth of $100 · last 24y
APD +493.9%VALE +580.4%VALE compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $100200620102014201820222026$594$680
APD VALE

APD vs VALE: by the numbers

  • VALE is the larger company ($65.29B vs $62.90B market cap).
  • VALE trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.20 vs 29.88 P/E).
  • APD converts more revenue to profit (16.91% vs 7.06% net margin).
  • APD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.12% vs -2.82% CAGR).
  • VALE pays the higher dividend yield (6.64% vs 2.54%).

Which is better, APD or VALE?

Metric tally: APD 5 · VALE 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueVALE(lower P/E)
GrowthAPD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVALE(higher dividend yield)
QualityVALE(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPDVALE
P/E ratio29.8823.20
Forward P/E19.747.89
P/S ratio5.051.66
P/B ratio4.021.79
PEG ratio1.40
EV / EBITDA17.718.00
FCF yield1.76%5.12%

Profitability

MetricAPDVALE
Gross margin31.98%34.52%
Operating margin18.41%27.84%
Net margin16.91%7.06%
ROE13.47%7.62%
ROIC-1.82%6.85%

Dividends

MetricAPDVALE
Dividend yield2.54%6.64%
Payout ratio175.15%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDVALE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.12%-2.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.58%-10.50%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.54%-26.26%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.93%2.25%

Frequently asked

Which is better, APD or VALE?
It depends on your goal. value: VALE (lower P/E); growth: APD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VALE (higher dividend yield); quality: VALE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VALE leads 11 to 5.
Is APD or VALE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VALE is cheaper: APD trades at a 29.88 P/E and VALE at 23.20.
Which has grown faster, APD or VALE?
Over the past five years, APD grew revenue faster — APD at a 6.12% CAGR versus VALE at -2.82%.
Does APD or VALE pay a bigger dividend?
APD yields 2.54% and VALE yields 6.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is APD or VALE more profitable?
APD runs the higher net margin — APD at 16.91% versus VALE at 7.06%.
Which has been the better investment, APD or VALE?
Over the past 10-year, VALE delivered the higher annualized total return — APD at 10.33% versus VALE at 20.10%. 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 June 24, 2026.