International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) vs United States Steel Corporation (X)
IFF leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and United States Steel Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
$78.27Basic Materials
X
United States Steel Corporation
$54.84Basic Materials
Total return — IFF vs X
growth of $100 · last 29yIFF +50.5%X +81.3%X compounded faster
IFF X
IFF vs X: by the numbers
- •IFF is the larger company ($19.98B vs $12.42B market cap).
- •IFF trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.94 vs 189.10 P/E).
- •IFF converts more revenue to profit (7.90% vs 0.64% net margin).
- •IFF grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 4.51% CAGR).
- •IFF pays the higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, IFF or X?
Metric tally: IFF 8 · X 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueIFF(lower P/E)
GrowthIFF(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIFF(higher dividend yield)
QualityIFF(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | IFF | X |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.94● | 189.10 |
| Forward P/E | 17.64 | — |
| P/S ratio | 1.86 | 0.81● |
| P/B ratio | 1.42 | 0.77● |
| PEG ratio | 0.19 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.72 | 10.84● |
| FCF yield | 1.99% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | IFF | X |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 36.35%● | 7.57% |
| Operating margin | 7.56%● | -2.36% |
| Net margin | 7.90%● | 0.64% |
| ROE | 6.03%● | 0.61% |
| ROIC | 3.19%● | 1.24% |
Dividends
| Metric | IFF | X |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.04%● | 0.36% |
| Payout ratio | — | 11.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IFF | X |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.71%● | 4.51% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -25.13% | -19.55%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -13.36% | 24.58%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -9.54% | 47.40%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, IFF or X?
- It depends on your goal. value: IFF (lower P/E); growth: IFF (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IFF (higher dividend yield); quality: IFF (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IFF leads 8 to 6.
- Is IFF or X cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, IFF is cheaper: IFF trades at a 23.94 P/E and X at 189.10.
- Which has grown faster, IFF or X?
- Over the past five years, IFF grew revenue faster — IFF at a 11.71% CAGR versus X at 4.51%.
- Does IFF or X pay a bigger dividend?
- IFF yields 2.04% and X yields 0.36% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is IFF or X more profitable?
- IFF runs the higher net margin — IFF at 7.90% versus X at 0.64%.
- Which has been the better investment, IFF or X?
- Over the past 10-year, X delivered the higher annualized total return — IFF at -2.51% versus X at 9.88%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Flavors & Fragrances P/E ratioUnited States Steel P/E ratioInternational Flavors & Fragrances dividend yieldUnited States Steel dividend yieldInternational Flavors & Fragrances ROEUnited States Steel ROEInternational Flavors & Fragrances operating marginUnited States Steel operating marginInternational Flavors & Fragrances revenue growthUnited States Steel revenue growthInternational Flavors & Fragrances free cash flowUnited States Steel free cash flow
International Flavors & Fragrances & United States Steel 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 13, 2026.