Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

APD leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Vulcan Materials Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — APD vs VMC

growth of $100 · last 30y
APD +950.4%VMC +1391.3%VMC compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,050$1,491
APD VMC

APD vs VMC: by the numbers

  • APD is the larger company ($62.71B vs $37.17B market cap).
  • APD trades at the lower earnings multiple (29.79 vs 34.06 P/E).
  • APD converts more revenue to profit (16.91% vs 13.88% net margin).
  • VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 6.12% CAGR).
  • APD pays the higher dividend yield (2.55% vs 0.71%).

Which is better, APD or VMC?

Metric tally: APD 9 · VMC 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAPD(lower P/E)
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAPD(higher dividend yield)
QualityVMC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAPDVMC
P/E ratio29.7934.06
Forward P/E19.7126.49
P/S ratio5.044.69
P/B ratio4.014.47
PEG ratio1.401.90
EV / EBITDA17.6616.47
FCF yield1.76%2.95%

Profitability

MetricAPDVMC
Gross margin31.98%27.61%
Operating margin18.41%20.62%
Net margin16.91%13.88%
ROE13.47%13.22%
ROIC-1.82%8.02%

Dividends

MetricAPDVMC
Dividend yield2.55%0.71%
Payout ratio24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPDVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.12%10.56%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.58%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.54%5.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.21%11.33%

Frequently asked

Which is better, APD or VMC?
It depends on your goal. value: APD (lower P/E); growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: APD (higher dividend yield); quality: VMC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, APD leads 9 to 7.
Is APD or VMC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, APD is cheaper: APD trades at a 29.79 P/E and VMC at 34.06.
Which has grown faster, APD or VMC?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — APD at a 6.12% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
Does APD or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
APD yields 2.55% and VMC yields 0.71% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is APD or VMC more profitable?
APD runs the higher net margin — APD at 16.91% versus VMC at 13.88%.
Which has been the better investment, APD or VMC?
Over the past 10-year, VMC delivered the higher annualized total return — APD at 10.26% versus VMC at 10.45%. 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 13, 2026.