Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) vs Vale S.A. (VALE)
FCX leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though VALE is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Freeport-McMoRan 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).
Total return — FCX vs VALE
growth of $100 · last 24yFCX +698.0%VALE +580.4%FCX compounded faster
FCX VALE
FCX vs VALE: by the numbers
- •FCX is the larger company ($92.55B vs $65.29B market cap).
- •VALE trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.20 vs 34.07 P/E).
- •FCX converts more revenue to profit (10.34% vs 7.06% net margin).
- •FCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs -2.82% CAGR).
- •VALE pays the higher dividend yield (6.64% vs 0.93%).
Which is better, FCX or VALE?
Metric tally: FCX 8 · VALE 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVALE(lower P/E)
GrowthFCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVALE(higher dividend yield)
QualityFCX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.07 | 23.20● |
| Forward P/E | 16.38 | 7.89● |
| P/S ratio | 3.52 | 1.66● |
| P/B ratio | 4.77 | 1.79● |
| PEG ratio | 1.98 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.36 | 8.00● |
| FCF yield | 6.72%● | 5.12% |
Profitability
| Metric | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.80% | 34.52%● |
| Operating margin | 27.77% | 27.84% |
| Net margin | 10.34%● | 7.06% |
| ROE | 14.01%● | 7.62% |
| ROIC | 7.77%● | 6.85% |
Dividends
| Metric | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.93% | 6.64%● |
| Payout ratio | 39.22% | 175.15% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FCX | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.28%● | -2.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 30.14%● | -10.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 20.99%● | -26.26% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.16%● | 2.25% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FCX or VALE?
- It depends on your goal. value: VALE (lower P/E); growth: FCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VALE (higher dividend yield); quality: FCX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FCX leads 8 to 7.
- Is FCX or VALE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, VALE is cheaper: FCX trades at a 34.07 P/E and VALE at 23.20.
- Which has grown faster, FCX or VALE?
- Over the past five years, FCX grew revenue faster — FCX at a 11.28% CAGR versus VALE at -2.82%.
- Does FCX or VALE pay a bigger dividend?
- FCX yields 0.93% and VALE yields 6.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FCX or VALE more profitable?
- FCX runs the higher net margin — FCX at 10.34% versus VALE at 7.06%.
- Which has been the better investment, FCX or VALE?
- Over the past 10-year, VALE delivered the higher annualized total return — FCX at 19.74% versus VALE at 20.10%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Freeport-McMoRan P/E ratioVale P/E ratioFreeport-McMoRan dividend yieldVale dividend yieldFreeport-McMoRan ROEVale ROEFreeport-McMoRan operating marginVale operating marginFreeport-McMoRan revenue growthVale revenue growthFreeport-McMoRan free cash flowVale free cash flow
Freeport-McMoRan & Vale 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 24, 2026.