Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)
FCX leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics, though VMC is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Freeport-McMoRan 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).
FCX
Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
$68.41Basic Materials
VMC
Vulcan Materials Company
$286.47Basic Materials
Total return — FCX vs VMC
growth of $100 · last 30yFCX +334.3%VMC +1394.4%VMC compounded faster
FCX VMC
FCX vs VMC: by the numbers
- •FCX is the larger company ($98.34B vs $37.17B market cap).
- •VMC trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.06 vs 36.20 P/E).
- •VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 10.34% net margin).
- •FCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 10.56% CAGR).
- •FCX pays the higher dividend yield (0.88% vs 0.71%).
Which is better, FCX or VMC?
Metric tally: FCX 11 · VMC 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVMC(lower P/E)
GrowthFCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFCX(higher dividend yield)
QualityVMC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FCX | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.20 | 34.06● |
| Forward P/E | 17.76● | 26.48 |
| P/S ratio | 3.74● | 4.69 |
| P/B ratio | 5.06 | 4.47● |
| PEG ratio | 1.98 | 1.90● |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.96● | 16.47 |
| FCF yield | 6.32%● | 2.95% |
Profitability
| Metric | FCX | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.80% | 27.61% |
| Operating margin | 27.77%● | 20.62% |
| Net margin | 10.34% | 13.88%● |
| ROE | 14.01%● | 13.22% |
| ROIC | 7.77% | 8.02%● |
Dividends
| Metric | FCX | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.88%● | 0.71% |
| Payout ratio | 39.22% | 24.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FCX | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.28%● | 10.56% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 30.14%● | 13.07% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 20.99%● | 5.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.39%● | 11.33% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FCX or VMC?
- It depends on your goal. value: VMC (lower P/E); growth: FCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FCX (higher dividend yield); quality: VMC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FCX leads 11 to 5.
- Is FCX or VMC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, VMC is cheaper: FCX trades at a 36.20 P/E and VMC at 34.06.
- Which has grown faster, FCX or VMC?
- Over the past five years, FCX grew revenue faster — FCX at a 11.28% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
- Does FCX or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
- FCX yields 0.88% and VMC yields 0.71% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FCX or VMC more profitable?
- VMC runs the higher net margin — FCX at 10.34% versus VMC at 13.88%.
- Which has been the better investment, FCX or VMC?
- Over the past 10-year, FCX delivered the higher annualized total return — FCX at 22.00% versus VMC at 10.45%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Freeport-McMoRan P/E ratioVulcan Materials P/E ratioFreeport-McMoRan dividend yieldVulcan Materials dividend yieldFreeport-McMoRan ROEVulcan Materials ROEFreeport-McMoRan operating marginVulcan Materials operating marginFreeport-McMoRan revenue growthVulcan Materials revenue growthFreeport-McMoRan free cash flowVulcan Materials free cash flow
Freeport-McMoRan & Vulcan Materials 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 15, 2026.