International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)

IFF leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — IFF vs STLD

growth of $100 · last 30y
IFF +73.8%STLD +5262.9%STLD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$174$5,363
IFF STLD

IFF vs STLD: by the numbers

  • STLD is the larger company ($36.04B vs $19.59B market cap).
  • IFF trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.46 vs 26.76 P/E).
  • IFF converts more revenue to profit (7.90% vs 7.22% net margin).
  • STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs 11.71% CAGR).
  • IFF pays the higher dividend yield (2.09% vs 0.81%).

Which is better, IFF or STLD?

Metric tally: IFF 9 · STLD 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIFFSTLD
P/E ratio23.4626.76
Forward P/E17.2915.72
P/S ratio1.831.90
P/B ratio1.403.95
PEG ratio0.191.06
EV / EBITDA12.5215.66
FCF yield2.02%1.84%

Profitability

MetricIFFSTLD
Gross margin36.35%14.00%
Operating margin7.56%9.41%
Net margin7.90%7.22%
ROE6.03%14.97%
ROIC3.19%8.19%

Dividends

MetricIFFSTLD
Dividend yield2.09%0.81%
Payout ratio25.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIFFSTLD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.71%12.46%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-25.13%25.18%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-13.45%19.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.46%36.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, IFF or STLD?
It depends on your goal. value: IFF (lower P/E); growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IFF (higher dividend yield); quality: STLD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IFF leads 9 to 8.
Is IFF or STLD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IFF is cheaper: IFF trades at a 23.46 P/E and STLD at 26.76.
Which has grown faster, IFF or STLD?
Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — IFF at a 11.71% CAGR versus STLD at 12.46%.
Does IFF or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
IFF yields 2.09% and STLD yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is IFF or STLD more profitable?
IFF runs the higher net margin — IFF at 7.90% versus STLD at 7.22%.
Which has been the better investment, IFF or STLD?
Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — IFF at -2.40% versus STLD at 28.17%. 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 20, 2026.