International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) vs Nucor Corporation (NUE)

IFF leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of International Flavors & Fragrances 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).

Total return — IFF vs NUE

growth of $100 · last 30y
IFF +57.3%NUE +1979.2%NUE compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$157$2,079
IFF NUE

IFF vs NUE: by the numbers

  • NUE is the larger company ($60.66B vs $19.98B market cap).
  • IFF trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.94 vs 26.37 P/E).
  • IFF converts more revenue to profit (7.90% vs 6.82% net margin).
  • IFF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 9.67% CAGR).
  • IFF pays the higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 0.83%).

Which is better, IFF or NUE?

Metric tally: IFF 10 · NUE 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueIFF(lower P/E)
GrowthIFF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIFF(higher dividend yield)
QualityNUE(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricIFFNUE
P/E ratio23.9426.37
Forward P/E17.6416.03
P/S ratio1.861.79
P/B ratio1.422.85
PEG ratio0.191.01
EV / EBITDA12.7213.38
FCF yield1.98%0.87%

Profitability

MetricIFFNUE
Gross margin36.35%13.98%
Operating margin7.56%10.04%
Net margin7.90%6.82%
ROE6.03%10.87%
ROIC3.19%6.74%

Dividends

MetricIFFNUE
Dividend yield2.04%0.83%
Payout ratio29.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIFFNUE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.71%9.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-25.13%26.02%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-13.45%-19.62%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.54%21.93%

Frequently asked

Which is better, IFF or NUE?
It depends on your goal. value: IFF (lower P/E); growth: IFF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IFF (higher dividend yield); quality: NUE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IFF leads 10 to 7.
Is IFF or NUE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IFF is cheaper: IFF trades at a 23.94 P/E and NUE at 26.37.
Which has grown faster, IFF or NUE?
Over the past five years, IFF grew revenue faster — IFF at a 11.71% CAGR versus NUE at 9.67%.
Does IFF or NUE pay a bigger dividend?
IFF yields 2.04% and NUE yields 0.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is IFF or NUE more profitable?
IFF runs the higher net margin — IFF at 7.90% versus NUE at 6.82%.
Which has been the better investment, IFF or NUE?
Over the past 10-year, NUE delivered the higher annualized total return — IFF at -2.51% versus NUE at 20.73%. 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 14, 2026.