Dow Inc. (DOW) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)

STLD leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Dow Inc. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DOW vs STLD

growth of $100 · last 7y
DOW -36.3%STLD +604.8%STLD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $100202120232025$64$705
DOW STLD

DOW vs STLD: by the numbers

  • STLD is the larger company ($36.04B vs $22.87B market cap).
  • STLD is profitable (7.22% net margin) while DOW runs a net loss (-7.02%).
  • STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs -0.66% CAGR).
  • DOW pays the higher dividend yield (4.41% vs 0.81%).

Which is better, DOW or STLD?

Metric tally: DOW 4 · STLD 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthSTLD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDOW(higher dividend yield)
QualitySTLD(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDOWSTLD
P/E ratio26.76
Forward P/E9.9315.72
P/S ratio0.581.90
P/B ratio1.503.95
PEG ratio1.06
EV / EBITDA45.7215.66
FCF yield1.84%

Profitability

MetricDOWSTLD
Gross margin6.16%14.00%
Operating margin-2.31%9.41%
Net margin-7.02%7.22%
ROE-18.11%14.97%
ROIC0.51%8.19%

Dividends

MetricDOWSTLD
Dividend yield4.41%0.81%
Payout ratio25.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDOWSTLD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.66%12.46%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-20.06%25.18%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-24.60%19.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-7.65%36.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DOW or STLD?
It depends on your goal. growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DOW (higher dividend yield); quality: STLD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, STLD leads 10 to 4.
Which has grown faster, DOW or STLD?
Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — DOW at a -0.66% CAGR versus STLD at 12.46%.
Does DOW or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
DOW yields 4.41% and STLD yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DOW or STLD more profitable?
STLD runs the higher net margin — DOW at -7.02% versus STLD at 7.22%.
Which has been the better investment, DOW or STLD?
Over the past 5-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — DOW at -7.65% versus STLD at 28.17%. 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 19, 2026.