Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (KALU) vs United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (USLM)

A side-by-side comparison of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation and United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

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Total return — KALU vs USLM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
KALU +155.0% (+9.8%/yr)USLM +794.4% (+24.5%/yr)USLM compounded faster over this window
05001kStart $10020182020202220242026$255$894
KALU USLM

KALU vs USLM: by the numbers

  • •USLM is the larger company ($3.15B vs $2.54B market cap).
  • •KALU trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.50 vs 23.48 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •USLM converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 5.49% net margin).
  • •KALU grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.03% vs 16.51% CAGR).
  • •KALU pays the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.22%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricKALUUSLM
P/E ratio11.5023.48
Forward P/E11.0321.76
PEG ratio0.380.65
P/S ratio0.618.35
P/B ratio2.694.52
EV / EBITDA7.6514.87
FCF yield3.43%2.92%

Profitability

MetricKALUUSLM
Gross margin11.55%48.46%
Operating margin8.24%42.11%
Net margin5.49%35.66%
ROE24.05%19.32%
ROIC11.37%16.98%

Dividends

MetricKALUUSLM
Dividend yield1.98%0.22%
Payout ratio22.83%5.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKALUUSLM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)21.03%16.51%
EPS CAGR (5Y)30.77%36.22%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A21.62%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.44%36.71%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, KALU or USLM?
KALU has the lower trailing P/E: KALU trades at 11.50 and USLM at 23.48. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, KALU or USLM?
Over the past five years, KALU grew revenue faster — KALU at a 21.03% CAGR versus USLM at 16.51%.
Does KALU or USLM pay a bigger dividend?
KALU yields 1.98% and USLM yields 0.22% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is KALU or USLM more profitable?
USLM runs the higher net margin — KALU at 5.49% versus USLM at 35.66%.
How have KALU and USLM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, KALU delivered 9.72% and USLM delivered 24.24% annualized total return. 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 October 6, 2026.