Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

DAL leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and Vulcan Materials Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DAL vs VMC

growth of $100 · last 19y
DAL +270.5%VMC +141.1%DAL compounded faster
0100200300Start $1002011201520192023$371$241
DAL VMC

DAL vs VMC: by the numbers

  • DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $38.02B market cap).
  • DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 34.84 P/E).
  • VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 6.87% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 10.56% CAGR).
  • DAL pays the higher dividend yield (0.90% vs 0.69%).

Which is better, DAL or VMC?

Metric tally: DAL 13 · VMC 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDAL(higher dividend yield)
QualityDAL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDALVMC
P/E ratio12.1334.84
Forward P/E15.1727.09
P/S ratio0.834.80
P/B ratio2.664.57
PEG ratio0.211.90
EV / EBITDA6.9516.81
FCF yield7.24%2.89%

Profitability

MetricDALVMC
Gross margin26.19%27.61%
Operating margin8.83%20.62%
Net margin6.87%13.88%
ROE21.97%13.22%
ROIC8.30%8.02%

Dividends

MetricDALVMC
Dividend yield0.90%0.69%
Payout ratio9.72%24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDALVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)38.80%10.56%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.89%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)115.85%5.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.90%12.12%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DAL or VMC?
It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DAL (higher dividend yield); quality: DAL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 13 to 4.
Is DAL or VMC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: DAL trades at a 12.13 P/E and VMC at 34.84.
Which has grown faster, DAL or VMC?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
Does DAL or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
DAL yields 0.90% and VMC yields 0.69% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DAL or VMC more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus VMC at 13.88%.
Which has been the better investment, DAL or VMC?
Over the past 10-year, VMC delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 9.39% versus VMC at 10.89%. 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 15, 2026.