Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) vs Nucor Corporation (NUE)
FCX leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics, though NUE is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. and Nucor Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
FCX
Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
$68.41Basic Materials
NUE
Nucor Corporation
$266.35Basic Materials
Total return — FCX vs NUE
growth of $100 · last 30yFCX +348.6%NUE +1979.2%NUE compounded faster
FCX NUE
FCX vs NUE: by the numbers
- •FCX is the larger company ($98.34B vs $60.66B market cap).
- •NUE trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.37 vs 36.20 P/E).
- •FCX converts more revenue to profit (10.34% vs 6.82% net margin).
- •FCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 9.67% CAGR).
- •FCX pays the higher dividend yield (0.88% vs 0.83%).
Which is better, FCX or NUE?
Metric tally: FCX 11 · NUE 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNUE(lower P/E)
GrowthFCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFCX(higher dividend yield)
QualityFCX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | FCX | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.20 | 26.37● |
| Forward P/E | 17.76 | 16.03● |
| P/S ratio | 3.74 | 1.79● |
| P/B ratio | 5.06 | 2.85● |
| PEG ratio | 1.98 | 1.01● |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.96● | 13.38 |
| FCF yield | 6.32%● | 0.87% |
Profitability
| Metric | FCX | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.80%● | 13.98% |
| Operating margin | 27.77%● | 10.04% |
| Net margin | 10.34%● | 6.82% |
| ROE | 14.01%● | 10.87% |
| ROIC | 7.77%● | 6.74% |
Dividends
| Metric | FCX | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.88%● | 0.83% |
| Payout ratio | 39.22% | 29.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FCX | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.28%● | 9.67% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 30.14%● | 26.02% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 20.99%● | -19.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.39% | 21.93%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FCX or NUE?
- It depends on your goal. value: NUE (lower P/E); growth: FCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FCX (higher dividend yield); quality: FCX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FCX leads 11 to 6.
- Is FCX or NUE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NUE is cheaper: FCX trades at a 36.20 P/E and NUE at 26.37.
- Which has grown faster, FCX or NUE?
- Over the past five years, FCX grew revenue faster — FCX at a 11.28% CAGR versus NUE at 9.67%.
- Does FCX or NUE pay a bigger dividend?
- FCX yields 0.88% and NUE yields 0.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FCX or NUE more profitable?
- FCX runs the higher net margin — FCX at 10.34% versus NUE at 6.82%.
- Which has been the better investment, FCX or NUE?
- Over the past 10-year, FCX delivered the higher annualized total return — FCX at 22.00% versus NUE at 20.73%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Freeport-McMoRan P/E ratioNucor P/E ratioFreeport-McMoRan dividend yieldNucor dividend yieldFreeport-McMoRan ROENucor ROEFreeport-McMoRan operating marginNucor operating marginFreeport-McMoRan revenue growthNucor revenue growthFreeport-McMoRan free cash flowNucor free cash flow
Freeport-McMoRan & Nucor appear in these rankings
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 14, 2026.