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).

Compare

Total return — FCX vs VMC

growth of $100 · last 30y
FCX +334.3%VMC +1394.4%VMC compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$434$1,494
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 5

It 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

MetricFCXVMC
P/E ratio36.2034.06
Forward P/E17.7626.48
P/S ratio3.744.69
P/B ratio5.064.47
PEG ratio1.981.90
EV / EBITDA10.9616.47
FCF yield6.32%2.95%

Profitability

MetricFCXVMC
Gross margin27.80%27.61%
Operating margin27.77%20.62%
Net margin10.34%13.88%
ROE14.01%13.22%
ROIC7.77%8.02%

Dividends

MetricFCXVMC
Dividend yield0.88%0.71%
Payout ratio39.22%24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFCXVMC
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.

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.